Marshawn Lynch - BEAST or Toad? (1 Viewer)

[HITMANMVP96]

Marshawn Lynch was a beast this year scoring in his last 11 games and even putting the lone TD of the year against the 49ers Defense. He runs with power and showed surprising burst. He was a player I would be salivating to keep for or draft in 2012. But was his production just a push to get a contract, let alone a big contract? At Cal he was a very good player, but made boner decisions. In Buffalo, he was so underwhelming. In Seattle, his tune changed, but in a rather up in down fashion. He had a few good games last year, highlighted by his amazing run against the Saints, rumbling his way to one of the better plays of 2011. But Lynch also struggled with weight, conditioning, and effort. This year, things seemed to be different. He WAS the offense in Seattle and he played like a top the Top 5 back he currently is rated. His history of behavior and lackluster efforts worry me about his prospects of being a top back in 2012. Did he just bust his butt to get a big contract or has he changed. Any Seattle Homers know if he has matured and become a professional who wants to be a top RB in the league or is it all just a mirage backed with a telling history? Insight from those who know the team well and have heard info on his attitude please chime in.

 

[rizzler]

A little story about |Mr Lynch.

As a Canadian who frequented the Buffalo area for 'home games', I was a big fan of |Lynch, or "beast mode" as he is/was known. Had been to a few games in my day, seen the Bills win, seen them lose (more often than not), but always remained a fan of my "hometown team"..

anyways. long story short....

one night we were out on our side of the border, at a beautiful little place called the sundowner (look it up gentlemen.. it's legendary), and noticed that a few, insanely huge men were coming out of the VIP area... Upon further inspection, I recognized one of the faces, as he is purely unmistakable... yep, BEASH MO'

anyways, an admittedly drunk friend of mine shouts him over to the table to partake in our table dance (as a viewer, obviously) and some shots...

believe it or not, he did come over. he didnt take a drink, but he sat back, said something along the lines of "poppa bear likes" and let out the greasiest marshawn smile/laugh Ive seen to date.

we asked him a few generic questions, knowing he probably wouldnt bother to want to be interviewed by a few middle class whiteboys about football. but we asked some anyways.

he was genuine. he answered, often sarcastically, but one thing he repeated over and over, was how much "I live for the game"... He let out that trademark smile after every response about football. It was amazing.

From that day on... I will always defend marshawn's love for the game. Not cuz Im a fan, not cuz he made me piss myself laughing, but because I felt the sincerity of his answers...

Marshawn did not like the city of buffalo. he wasnt welcomed kindly by many people. he was viewed as a thug, instead of a player. he needed to get out. and he did. (he did have his share of fans, though)

I truly think what youre witnessing is a happy marshawn. in a city that loves him, and more importantly, a city he loves.

This is not a show for a big payday. He loves the game. he's a hard runner. He deserves to get paid (at a reasonable, workhorse rb rate), and will work for his money.

(sorry for the punctuation or any spelling errors, Im writing this in a situation in which I really shouldnt be... for my boy, Lynch)

 

[Invictus~Bronte]

Interesting anecdote as I was already downgrading him big time for his impending payday. I still feel a high injury risk with his style. Also still can't quite figure the large production increase mid season

 

[rizzler]

Interesting anecdote as I was already downgrading him big time for his impending payday. I still feel a high injury risk with his style. Also still can't quite figure the large production increase mid season

carries my friends... carries

 

[Abspara]

Theres no way of predicting, but id guess it carries over to next year.

 

[biju]

Interesting anecdote as I was already downgrading him big time for his impending payday. I still feel a high injury risk with his style. Also still can't quite figure the large production increase mid season

carries my friends... carries

That plus we had a complete O-line overhaul.LT: Russell Okung was drafted last year, missed half the 2010 season with two different high ankle sprains. Was strong in run protection, ok in pass pro before going to the IR.LG: Newly signed Robert Gallery came to help instill Tom Cable's blocking schemesC: Max Unger started as a RG for us with the eventual move into center this year. He's blocked and call the line much better than anticipated.RG: John Moffitt was drafted in the 3rd round of 2011. Had an up and down year before heading to the IR.RT: James Carpenter also had an up and down season, but was starting to show some life before getting IR'd.If I had to guess, Tom Cable was a large reason why the line outperformed. If Cable were to leave Seattle there would be a solid reason to downgrade, but otherwise this line is set to continue to improve in 2012. Pete Carroll is determined to run so the carries will be there for Marshawn. I see no reason to think he'll significantly regress or that this was because he was looking for a payday.Again, I might have my homer glasses on, but I think this is the beginning of something great.

 

[MAC_32]

One vote for contract year player.

I won't question his love for the game, but I will question how effective he runs when he's not playing for a contract or is on a big stage. His big performances on the small stage are too infrequent for me to consider paying the price he'll command next year. In drafts and in free agency.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Helps being in shape. he was fat and slow last year

 

[Faust]

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell wrote the following:

Cosell’s Watching: Beast Mode runs like Adrian Peterson

Along with Peterson, Lynch is the most relentless runner in the NFL, He has outstanding core strength and leg drive

 

[cacksman]

A little story about |Mr Lynch.As a Canadian who frequented the Buffalo area for 'home games', I was a big fan of |Lynch, or "beast mode" as he is/was known. Had been to a few games in my day, seen the Bills win, seen them lose (more often than not), but always remained a fan of my "hometown team"..anyways. long story short....one night we were out on our side of the border, at a beautiful little place called the sundowner (look it up gentlemen.. it's legendary), and noticed that a few, insanely huge men were coming out of the VIP area... Upon further inspection, I recognized one of the faces, as he is purely unmistakable... yep, BEASH MO'anyways, an admittedly drunk friend of mine shouts him over to the table to partake in our table dance (as a viewer, obviously) and some shots...believe it or not, he did come over. he didnt take a drink, but he sat back, said something along the lines of "poppa bear likes" and let out the greasiest marshawn smile/laugh Ive seen to date. we asked him a few generic questions, knowing he probably wouldnt bother to want to be interviewed by a few middle class whiteboys about football. but we asked some anyways.he was genuine. he answered, often sarcastically, but one thing he repeated over and over, was how much "I live for the game"... He let out that trademark smile after every response about football. It was amazing.From that day on... I will always defend marshawn's love for the game. Not cuz Im a fan, not cuz he made me piss myself laughing, but because I felt the sincerity of his answers...Marshawn did not like the city of buffalo. he wasnt welcomed kindly by many people. he was viewed as a thug, instead of a player. he needed to get out. and he did. (he did have his share of fans, though)I truly think what youre witnessing is a happy marshawn. in a city that loves him, and more importantly, a city he loves.This is not a show for a big payday. He loves the game. he's a hard runner. He deserves to get paid (at a reasonable, workhorse rb rate), and will work for his money.(sorry for the punctuation or any spelling errors, Im writing this in a situation in which I really shouldnt be... for my boy, Lynch)

Awesome story!

 

[HITMANMVP96]

Gotta like the prospects of a healthy stud O-Line coached by Cable and the fact that he loves the game adds to the potential that he will produce like he did this year, but issues with conditioning and a fat wallet worry me. Big Risk - Big Reward.