Wow, I really did not expect that article take the turn that it did. Who on earth would have guessed that Patrick Warburton was Cam Lynch's role model?
Here are the article's money quotes for those that didn't click the link:
"I mean, it comes down to versatility, but also being consistently good at one thing" Lynch mused. "He played Elaine's boyfriend Puddy on Seinfeld, voiced Cronk in The Emperor's New Groove, and played The Tick in The Tick. Wildly different roles, but in each one he's hilarious, so versatility and consistency."
"That's how I view my game," Lynch explained. "My objective is to consistently wrap up no matter where I am on the field; pass is caught while I'm in coverage, I'm gonna wrap up. I'm supporting the run, I'm gonna wrap up. There's a chance to make a tackle in the backfield, so wrap up. Versatility and consistency."
Clark Lea, linebacker coach for Syracuse University, said it's not uncommon for linebackers to look to the ranks of actors to inspire their play. "You know, people forget this, but Dick Butkus mentioned Steve McQueen six times in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech as an inspiration for his blitzing technique."
Head coach Scott Shafer reiterated that reinforcing the player role models helps teams to execute and stay focused on the field. "It's not just a good coaching practice, it's a best coaching practice to keep those role models top of mind. When Cam makes a play we like to tell him he 'opened up a can of Warburton' or 'laid down the Swanson' or something about an 8 ball, I can't remember," Shafer explained.
Lynch, who recorded 69 tackles and 4 sacks last season, is targeting 100 tackles and 10 sacks this upcoming season.