The third-year pro will miss his mentor but is excited by the chance to start for the Bucs.
By ROGER MILLS
Published March 13, 2004
TAMPA - Looking back, Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips can't help but see the irony, feel the deep sense of appreciation.
Last offseason, John Lynch invited him to San Diego for a week to work out and develop his game.
It was Lynch who came up with the idea, Phillips said. Lynch who set it in motion.
Every day, he worked with Lynch. Every night, he ate dinner with Lynch, wife Linda and other Lynch family members who live in San Diego.
"I was privileged and honored to go out there for the simple fact that this was John Lynch who had invited me," Phillips said. "It was a great time."
What Phillips didn't realize was Lynch was facilitating his own departure. Thursday, the Bucs cut ties with the 11-year veteran and anointed Phillips as his replacement.
"Lynch proved to me that this is a team game," Phillips said. "With all the selfishness that goes on, it still is a team game. He was preparing me in case anything happened, like what happened (Thursday), that the team would not lose a beat. He was preparing me to be a better player."
Now Phillips gets a chance to prove he's ready.
"I was excited for myself, and at the same time I was sad," Phillips said. "I said, "Man, this is a guy who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.' I have learned a lot of things from him, and for him to not be there is going to be different. At the same time I have to look at it as a great opportunity to showcase the talent that I have."
Entering his third season out of Georgia, the former fifth-round pick finds himself the starting strong safety, a position Lynch secured in 1995, his third season in the league.
"Everybody has to understand that I'm not John Lynch, I'm me," said Phillips, who is in Atlanta with his family. "I'm going to come in and be me. I'm not going to try to fill his shoes. I can't. Now I have to try my best to carry on the things I learned from him."
At 6 feet 1, 214 pounds, Phillips said he is a little "faster and lankier than Lynch," but has nowhere near his fierce disposition or experience.
"For one, right now I don't have those extra eight years of experience under my belt," he said. "He's known as a fierce hitter who intimidates you by the way he hits. I don't know that I have that type of status yet. I'm not going to get the reaction that Lynch does. But I have to come in and get the job done."
In his first two seasons Phillips played in 30 games with eight starts, all last season. He enters his fourth season with 49 tackles, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Those numbers likely will increase dramatically thanks in part to things he learned from Lynch.
"He's helped me learn the different ways of hitting and different ways of working and doing what it takes to be successful in this league," Phillips said. "That's studying film, knowing what to look for, learning the different tendencies that teams might have, things that I don't know because I have not experienced them yet. ... I have to try to improve every day. Come to the table like I have been coming to the table, preparing like I have been preparing."
And in eight years' time, would Phillips invite a 24-year-old safety to work out with him?
"If I can help anybody be a better player, I would," he said.
LYNCH'S OPTIONS: While it is believed Lynch will reunite with his close friend, Jets coach Herman Edwards, don't rule out Colts coach Tony Dungy, the former Bucs coach.
"I have both of those guys on my speed dial," Dungy told the Indianapolis Star, referring to Lynch and defensive tackle Warren Sapp. "I don't know if their agents called our guys first or how that transpired, but I have talked to both of them. I talked to them as a friend."
The Colts are roughly $6-million under the cap.
"It would be very difficult for us financially to get any one of those guys," Dungy said. "But don't rule out anything."
Lynch has talked to the Lions, and the Seahawks also have emerged as a suitor, which would reunite him with former Bucs quarterback Trent Dilfer, a close friend of Lynch's.
STEUSSIE CLOSE TO DEAL: Former Panthers left tackle Todd Steussie reportedly is close to signing. Steussie (6-6, 308 pounds), considered one of the more durable and physical tackles in the league, would give the Bucs three veterans who are primary left tackles. But Derrick Deese, Roman Oben and Steussie can play right tackle. That does not bode well for right tackle Kenyatta Walker, who is entering his fourth season.
BIDWELL COMING: Former Packers punter Josh Bidwell has agreed in principle to a deal with the Bucs. An announcement could come this weekend.
COLEMAN ON THE ROAD: Former guard Cosey Coleman continues to work the circuit. After visiting the Dolphins, Coleman spent Wednesday, Thursday and early Friday with the Browns. "We had a good visit with the Browns, and I don't know if anything is imminent or not," agent Pat Dye said. "I would anticipate an offer from the Browns, but that's their call." Dye said Coleman has not ruled out a return to the Bucs. "They've maintained an interest in having him back, but it has to be at their price," Dye said. "We've vowed to stay in touch and keep them in the loop, and we'll see where it goes."
