By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - John Lynch's next challenge is cracking a formidable group of first-time candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The nine-time Pro Bowl safety officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after 11 seasons with the Bucs and four with Denver, each marked by fierce hitting and Lynch's unrivaled competitive edge.

"To have that kind of longevity and to play with his passion is a testament to John Lynch," Vikings safety Darren Sharper said. "He was one of the top safeties in this game for a long, long time."

When Lynch initially becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame Class of 2013, his accomplishments will be judged alongside an imposing list of fellow first-time candidates that includes former Buc teammate Warren Sapp, Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, linebacker Junior Seau, perennial Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden and quarterback Steve McNair.

"If that would ever happen, it would be incredibly humbling," Lynch said of the possibility of entering the Canton, Ohio, shrine of excellence. "That's quite a class."

With 26 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, 1,277 tackles and 15 years of inspirational play, Lynch brings solid credentials.

"In my book, he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Broncos cornerback Dre Bly told the Rocky Mountain News. "I can tell my kids I played with John Lynch when he goes to the Hall of Fame."

Lynch said Monday's ceremony was his way of thanking both the Buccaneers and the Broncos. For Tampa Bay executive vice president Joel Glazer, the image of No. 47 in orange or pewter remains indelible.

"There were a couple of games when John Lynch wasn't able to play for us and you always noticed it," Glazer said. "I'll remember the countless times the other team's receiver pulled up short because he knew John was on the Football field."

Unlike so many of his peers, Lynch walks away from the game relatively healthy, except for "a big scar on my neck that doesn't hurt."

Lynch already has agreed to work Sunday's Jaguars-Vikings game as a Fox analyst. His wife, Linda, said the couple and their four children are likely to live in the Denver area.

"I know whatever I do, I'll tackle it with the same passion and belief," said Lynch, who was released by New England after the final preseason game this summer. "I'm proud of the way I played my career. At the end of the day, I'm filled with pride and thankfulness."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

(CHART) 5 Games To Remember

Jan. 26, 2003

Called out the defensive signals against Oakland in a 48-21 Super Bowl triumph as Tampa Bay limited the Raiders to 11 first downs and intercepted Rich Gannon five times.

Dec. 18, 2000

Registered six tackles and a key interception in a 38-35 Monday night win against St. Louis.

Jan. 15, 2000

Lynch's late third-quarter interception against Washington's Brad Johnson sparks a comeback from a 13-point deficit as the Bucs edge the Redskins 14-13 to reach the NFC title game.

Sept. 28, 1997

Lynch topped the Bucs with 13 tackles in a 19-18 victory against Arizona, intercepting a fourth-quarter pass with Tampa Bay trailing 18-12.

Nov. 24, 1996

In a 13-7 triumph against New Orleans, Lynch is credited with five tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble to earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

(CHART) John Lynch BIO

Age: 37

Born: Sept. 25, 1971; Hinsdale, Ill.

Full Name: John Terrence Lynch

Family: Wife - Linda; Children - son Jake, daughters Lindsay, Lillian and Leah Rose.

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220

College: Stanford

High School: Torrey Pines, San Diego

NFL CAREER

Seasons: 15

Pro Bowls: 9

Drafted: 1993, third round (82nd pick)

CAREER STATISTICS

Regular season Post season

Games 224 12

Tackles 1,277 71

Sacks 13 0

Interceptions 26 2

Forced fumbles 16 0

Fumbles recovered 8 0

(CHART) LYNCH ACCOLADES

Pro Bowls as a Buccaneer: 1997, 1999, 2000-02.

Pro Bowls as a Bronco: 2004-07.

2006: Won Byron "Whizzer" White Award for off-field leadership and community service.

2003: Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award finalist.

2002: Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award finalist; Tampa Tribune People's Champion Award (along with wife, Linda); Florida Sports Hometown Heroes Award.

2001: Selected by Bucs as recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

2000: Defensive Back of the Year (NFL Alumni); NFLPA's Unsung Hero Award; AP First-team All-Pro.

1999: AP First-team All-Pro; paced Tampa Bay's secondary with 128 tackles.

1998: Topped Tampa Bay's secondary with 107 stops.

1997: Set Bucs franchise record for DBs with 154 tackles.

1996: Led Bucs secondary with 103 tackles.

(CHART) LISTEN IN

"There are a whole bunch of Lynch jerseys still running around here and a constant reminder here in Tampa of how much you're missed."

--BUCS LB DERRICK BROOKS

"John will always be a world champion. He is not only one of the greatest Buccaneers of all-time, but he is a great man."

--BUCS COACH JON GRUDEN

"He was here in 1996 when I got here. He was one of the first players I met. He was part of the big-time change here. I think I remember John Lynch the best as number 47. Those were the days when we had what we called the Lynch Rule. When we called the Lynch Rule, that meant 47 ? was going to be the eighth guy in the box. Nobody could play it any better then John Lynch. He would light you up."

--BUCS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MONTE KIFFIN

"In my opinion, he's one of the top safeties to ever play the game. His ability to deliver game-changing hits caused you as a player to always know where he was on the field. He was an unbelievable competitor, great leader and a class act."

--COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING

"The late Bill Walsh called me before the 1992 NFL draft and said: 'Don't let this guy get away!' I told him: 'If I can persuade him to forgo baseball, he will be a Buccaneer!' "

--FORMER BUCS COACH SAM WYCHE

Photo credit: Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE (2003)

Photo: One of John Lynch's enduring memories was the Bucs' dominating victory in Super Bowl XXXVII against the Raiders.

Photo credit: The Associated Press

Photo: One of John Lynch's finest moments as a Buccaneer came at Super Bowl XXXVII. Lynch was the defensive play-caller on the field as the Bucs intercepted Raiders QB Rich Gannon five times.

Photo: John Lynch

Copyright ? 2008, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com