Multidimensional Lynch shining for Bills
Although the NFL preseason is hardly a proper barometer for how to measure performance, sometimes certain players just appear as if they're destined to achieve success at football's highest level.
For Buffalo's offense, filling that void this year is the Bills' first-round pick from April's draft, running back Marshawn Lynch.
While it's true the former Cal Berkeley star's numbers -- five carries for 16 yards -- on Friday night against Atlanta were modest, he did answer some of the questions as to why Buffalo chose him with the 12th overall pick. Marshawn Lynch, unlike his much-maligned predecessor, Willis McGahee, slammed into holes with power, dragged defenders with him and flashed high-end speed on runs of 8 and 9 yards, respectively.
As a comparison, McGahee, whom Buffalo traded to Baltimore in March for three draft picks, currently looks like the same mediocre back Bills General Manager Marv Levy gave up on.
Facing the New York Giants on Sunday, McGahee ran six times for -- count 'em -- 3 yards. Along the way, the 25-year-old demonstrated the same hesitancy behind the offensive line and lack of speed that he showed in a Bills uniform. Of course, that still won't stop analysts like Mark Schlereth and Darren Woodson from raving about McGahee's alleged explosiveness and big-play ability. The sooner those in Bristol, Conn., realize McGahee possesses neither of those traits, the more educated they'll look.
Marshawn Lynch, as mentioned, ran with vigor against the Falcons' first-team defense. On top of that, he demonstrated the intangibles that the league's best backfield threats require.
Not to continue harping on the same point, but once again, Marshawn Lynch outdid McGahee by showing an early penchant for blocking oncoming defenders, including voluminous linemen. On a third-and-6 play in the first quarter, Bills quarterback J.P. Losman dropped back to throw, received an excellent blitz pickup from Marshawn Lynch, and flung a 36-yard beauty to standout wide receiver Lee Evans.
Contrarily, blocking is not exactly McGahee's forte. Exhibit A of that came in Buffalo's Week 3 loss (28-20) to the New York Jets last year. Gang Green sent safety Kerry Rhodes on a blindside blitz, McGahee did his best impression of a bullfighter and missed the block, and Rhodes forced a Losman fumble from behind that was returned for a crucial touchdown by linebacker Victor Hobson.
With Marshawn Lynch -- who can also split out as a receiver or stay in the backfield and catch passes on screens and swing passes -- Losman has the benefit of a 5-foot-11, 215-pounder who's willing to get dirty and play the role of a mini-offensive lineman on occasion.
It's still quite early, but after seeing the way the 21-year-old Marshawn Lynch has run in training camp and during the preseason, it's becoming pretty obvious to this writer that he's going to make Bills fans completely forget about McGahee and have them thinking about arguably the greatest back in franchise history and the prototype for do-it-all runners, Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas.
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