The (Unpopular) Argument for Not Signing Marshawn Lynch

One pointIi would like to make is that even though the average is 2.57 years, a big part of that is league perception.
The perception that running the ball is less valuable than passing.
the perception that feature backs are less appealing than platoons.
The perception that running backs take such a beating that they cant possibly sustain it.

On the other hand, id like to offer a different perspective. Most running backs are not that good. The really good ones, have pretty long careers.

That same shaun alexander had a 9 year career.
Jerome Bettis had a 13 year career (was anyone else a more violent runner?)
Walter Peyton 12 years
Frank Gore has a 7 + year career
Willis Megahee has had a 8 year career
Steven Jackson is heading into his 9th (has anyone else taken more punishment because his team sucked?)
Cedric Benson is heading into his 8th year.

There are not that many career ending injuries. Shaun Alexanders foot was weird.
Most backs only get a few years to prove they can play, if they are good they stay.
But most suck so they go home. Id venture to say Pass blocking is the major culprit in that.

Tailback is one of those positions where you literally have to have a lot of skills. You have to be durable to take 400-500 collisions a year (including blocking) You have to have Vision to see holes opening and to pick up blitzes. You have to be able to catch the ball. and you have to have a usefull running skill.

For example Forsett is a very good running back, but his running style doesnt match our offense. He isnt a bruiser, and he isnt a burner, he isnt a great reciever, he is simply really good at all of those, its hard to find a fatal flaw in his game, but he doesnt do any of those things, why is he still in the NFL? pass blocking.

You have to find a niche on a team, if a team doesnt need your niche, you are out of the league in a year or two.

Not a big fan of this idea. One thing Lynch brings to the team than not many do is his style of play that inspires others on the team. I’ve read countless times throughout the season of offensive linemen and FB Michael Robinson saying that they play harder because of how Lynch runs. And like Robinson said, some guys you just wouldn’t do that for. That’s what I love most about Lynch and see him as the spark for this offense for at least another 2-3 years. I say sign him for 4-5 years that’s top heavy in the contract. Who knows, he could be effective for all years. Like you said, he said he’s become more of a professional this year and a part of that, he said, is treating his body better by stretching more and putting more effort into recovery. Maybe he’s just getting started.

Then get a change-of-pace back this in this draft and another physical back this year or next year to sit behind Lynch and hope he can mirror that style of play for his career. It may be possible that Lynch slows down after he gets his contract, but I think the team will keep him motivated; another thing I’ve noticed about this team that I haven’t seen before is how accountable they hold each other for their play. It seems like every position group talks about how they push each other to be better and play hard for the guys they’re out there with (which I think is ultimately a result of Carroll’s coaching style).

Turns out that after she dumped you, she moved on to a better man. She started working out and pumping iron. Now she can run the 40 in under 5 seconds while carrying a man (or two) on her back. She also got a great new job in an investment firm and makes 5 million a year when she hits her bonuses.

She wants me to tell you that she loved you at the time, but when you didn’t respect her or come up with the kaching, she had to move on to a better man.

But the way he plays warrants a real contract. He is the heart and soul of the offense, and the line loves to block for him because they know he will fight for every last inch. His style is not conducive to a long career, but at 25, he has at least 3 solid years left in him.

I definitely agree that RBs are largely replaceable these days, but Marshawn is the gold-toothed exception. He is the perfect embodiment of smashmouth football, and a guy who will put butts in the seats. Short of drafting a top-10 RB, I cant imagine another back who will have his level of success, which will be quite mandatory given our suspect passing offense.

Not that you’re a bunch of money grubbin’ weasels that really only care about the bottom line.

That is not to say that he isn’t an talented RB, but, in this unusual case, it doesn’t even matter. By saying that, I mean that I don’t think we’ve seen enough out of Lynch to say that he’ll be successful for the next 3-5 years. When you look at the effect that he had on this team through the last 8-12 games of the season and you combine that with the facts – 1) Seattle has the cap space, 2) his price stands to go up if we franchise him and he has success next year (very likely imo), and 3) Seattle has nothing at RB without Lynch – it is unreasonable to suggest not resigning Lynch to a 3-5 year deal.

A 5 year, $40 million dollar deal that is front-loaded really would not handicap this team at any point, even if Lynch started to regress sooner rather than later.

Not sure about the contractual mechanics of this but is it possible to sign Lynch before the draft with a view of him being the makeweight in a trade up up for Luck or Griffin scenario?

I like Lynch and he has played srtong this season behind an evolving line but my thinking is that with a stud QB and a versitile O Line we could open up the game and guys like Washington could thrive.

I dont buy the Game Manager talk from PC, I think that is designed to take the heat away from TJac but I think that this options is worth considering.

If not I am happy to welcome Lynch back with open arms.

Sounded a bit like you live your life through a well-thumbed copy of “The Game”, which is rather unfortunate. To say the least.

Agreed we should franchise Lynch for one year. Next year go for Montee Ball from Winconsin. He is a tough up the middle rusher, will be a very effective rusher at pro level. Ball has more upside than Polk in my opinion. Not likely Lynch will be any good in 2+years, that the nature if the business.