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Can Aaron Lynch revive his career here in Chicago? To help answer this question, we need to take a closer look at his career up to this point. Aaron Lynch, the player, can be broken down into two separate categories. There is Aaron Lynch BOSS, before obligatory subsequent suspension, which lasted 2 years. And there is Aaron Lynch ASS, after subsequent suspension, which also lasted two years. I’ll give you guys a little spoiler. Aaron Lynch BOSS was the mirror image of Joey Bosa. Aaron Lynch ASS is Pernell McPhee with 2 bad knees.
Aaron Lynch BOSS
Rookie Year
Coming into his rookie season, Lynch did not have a good reputation. He was deemed lazy, unmotivated, and a character concern. But going into training camp, Lynch actually came in underweight. Vic Fangio and staff had to ask him to bulk up, which he did prior to the preseason. Speaking of which, Lynch absolutely dominated every single preseason game. He looked like he belonged the moment he stepped onto an NFL field.
Pass Rush
In his rookie season, Vic Fangio mostly had Lynch in on passing downs. The first thing that stood out was how Lynch as a rookie already understood how to setup OT’s. He attacks OT’s in the same exact way as Joey Bosa. The similarities are striking.
HAND SWIPE
Aaron Lynch was flat out making offensive tackles look silly.
QUICK SWIM
Aaron Lynch shows great power in his hands. The OT doesn’t even know what hit him here. This move is usually done by elite powerful defensive tackles such as Aaron Donald...
CLUB OVER
Lynch was so savvy, that he would often wait out OT’s. Once they commit, that’s when he makes his move. This is a Joey Bosa hallmark play, where he often slows down to speed back up again...
COUNTER
He does the same to a TE here...
WHIFF
Again, the precise and deadly rip move. This is vintage Bosa.
RIP MOVE
For comparison:
Rather than feign a speed rush only to come back inside, Bosa often fakes a move that prompts tackles to sit down in their stance. “You can always take power steps to get him to throw his hands or set his feet for a power move,” Bosa tells The Ringer. “If you can get him to set his feet and lunge, then you have him where you want him.”
After an offensive tackle shows signs of hesitation, Bosa knocks away that lineman’s hands, jerking him off-balance and allowing the Chargers star to burst back to the outside. Instead of speeding up to slow down—the way so many great pass rushers thrive—Bosa slows down just to speed back up. “As long as you’re moving forward and keeping your hands active, I think you can be successful [with that move],” Bosa says.
Motor
Much like Joey Bosa and unlike what his reputation preceded him, Aaron Lynch showed a non stop motor on the field...
RELENTLESS
Here Lynch is out in coverage responsible for the QB. But the moment he sees the QB drop his eyes, he comes rushing in and hurries the throw...
HURRY
Here he never slows up, and runs down Russell Wilson...
RUN DOWN
This is a run away from a 260 LB OLB, and he is still able to knock the RB out of bounds 10 yards upfield...
RUN DOWN
Run Stopper
And while he didn’t get many opportunities, Lynch held his own against the run his rookie year. Here is Lynch setting the edge...
SETTING EDGE
Here neither the right tackle nor the fullback could move Lynch off his spot...
https://gfycat.com/SpecificLazyIndianhare
Standing his ground...
GROUND
Next up - Part 2: 2015
