Marshawn Lynch making early impact for Bills
(USA TODAY continues its Rookie Focus series that examines one of the NFL's most impactful first-year players — on and off the field — every Wednesday:
The Buffalo Bills desperately needed to draft a top-flight running back after trading unhappy Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens during the offseason. They took Marshawn Lynch 12th overall and never looked back.
Marshawn Lynch is a bright spot in what has already been a difficult season for injury-riddled Buffalo. He carried 23 times for 79 yards last Sunday and opened the scoring with a 10-yard dash when the rebuilding Bills broke through for a 17-14 victory against the visiting AFC East rival New York Jets.
In all, Marshawn Lynch has rushed 80 times for 307 yards – a healthy 3.8 yards per carry – to go with five receptions for another 36 yards. He has yet to fumble and has accounted for all three of Buffalo's scores on the ground.
— THE PLAYER
• Hometown: Oakland
• Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 215
• College highlights: Ranks second in University of California history with 3,230 rushing yards and holds school record for 100-yard efforts (17). Second member of Golden Bears to surpass 1,000 yards on the ground in consecutive seasons, accomplishing that in 2005 (1,246) and 2006 (1,356). Honored as Pac 10 Player of the Year last season.
• Scouting report: Combination of exceptional running ability and above-average hands should make him an offensive force. Possesses tremendous quickness but also has the determination and strength to move the pile. Opponents find it very difficult to hit him squarely. Still must answer questions about durability since he's never been asked to carry the load for a full season.
• Quotable quote: "Clearly, we thought he was really good to draft him where we drafted him. I'm not certain he's not just a little better than what we thought." –Bills coach Dick Jauron
— THE PERSON
• I knew I was in the NFL when: "One of the veterans told me it was time to pay my dues. (Tight end) Robert Royal gave me a bunch of shirts to pass out to everybody on the team."
• Biggest adjustment: "Picking up the blitz. It's the number of people you have to block in what protection. You can have six players at one time (to keep an eye on)."
• Role model: "My mom, Delisa. She's been through a lot and she showed me she could push through it. She's got a never-quit attitude, the same as I've got."
• First purchase after signing: "I got my mom an apartment in Orchard Park (N.Y.) and a (five-bedroom) house in the Bay Area as well. I haven't seen the house in the Bay Area yet. I just took her word on it."
• Favorite off-field activity: "Sleep. Sleep is a big key for me, physically and mentally. I probably sleep nine hours a day. When I leave the stadium, I go home and sleep for a while, wake up for a bit, and sleep again."
• On the Bills: "I can't do anything but keep my mind in a positive direction and hopefully they (management) take care of the things they need to take care of. As far as the players, we're going to go hard every snap."
• NFL dream: "Win the Super Bowl. That's what we're playing for. I don't even have to take a snap, as long as we win."
See
more at www.usatoday.com
|
