The word is that the Seahawks and the Raiders have agreed to a trade for Marshawn Lynch and it seems a bit one-sided to me – – if indeed it goes down as has been reported. Here is the deal:
- Lynch comes out of retirement as a Seahawk. As that happens the Seahawks and Raiders trade him.
- Seahawks get a swap of late round picks in 2018.
- That’s it; that’s the deal.
I know that Lynch is of no value to the Seahawks in retirement; so, from that perspective, it seems as if they are getting something for nothing. However, the reality is that the raiders need a running back; they do not have a reliable one on their roster now and Lynch – despite plenty of wear and tear on his body – has had a year off and even if he returns at 80% of his “championship Beast Mode” is a significant improvement for the Raiders. So, that makes the compensation seem trivial. The trade is contingent on Lynch passing a physical – naturally – and when official, we may learn that there is some sort of other “consideration(s)” for the Seahawks in the trade. Stand by …
Another NFL RB of note has a new home. Adrian Peterson has signed with the Saints for – reportedly – $3.5M guaranteed this year. Unlike Lynch, Peterson is not retired; he is coming off another leg injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of the 2016 season. This move is a little strange to me because:
- Mark Ingram had a good year at RB for the Saints last year. He gained 1043 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. He is still on the roster and signed.
- The Saints’ offense is not predicated on having a running game that does much more than “change things up occasionally”. The Saints’ offensive bread-and-butter is throwing the ball and Peterson is merely OK catching the ball.
The NFL and the TV execs probably love this signing because in Week 1, the NFL schedule calls for a Monday Night Football encounter between the Saints and the Vikes. The storyline for that game is already established. Stand by …
Fans can also welcome Martavis Bryant back to the NFL – probably. Bryant was suspended for all of the 2016 season for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Yesterday, the NFL has given him “conditional reinstatement”. Here is what that means:
- Bryant can join the team and be in the Steelers’ facilities and participate in OTAs and minicamps. He will be “evaluated” closer to the start of the season and if clean he can play in Week 1. He will also be “evaluated” as the season progresses and if he stays clean for an unspecified part of the 2017 season he will be fully reinstated.
Here is the statement released by the Steelers’ organization related to all of this:
“Martavis Bryant has followed the protocol and has been conditionally reinstated by the National Football League. We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement.
“We look forward to working with Martavis to ensure that he is mentally and physically prepared to contribute to our efforts on the field, while also maintaining the proper balance to keep his life in order off the field.”
Is it just me, or is that not a very joyful welcoming home for the prodigal son?
Well, if you think that was a lukewarm statement of welcome, think about this one. I have to admit that I did not recognize the name Daryl Washington at first because he has been suspended from the NFL for the past 3 seasons. Washington was suspended for substance-abuse violations in 2014 plus he plead guilty to an aggravated assault charge in 2014.
He was/is a linebacker for the Cardinals. The NFL conditionally reinstated Washington earlier this week with continued evaluations like the ones set up for Martavis Bryant before full reinstatement. However, from what the Cardinals had to say about all of this, I am not sure the team cares if he shows up for work or not:
“The National Football League today informed of us of Daryl Washington’s conditional reinstatement. Considering we have been prohibited from having any contact with him over the last three years, it would be premature today to discuss a potential return to the team. As everyone is aware, the 2017 NFL Draft is just days away, and that is where our energy and attention is fully focused right now. At the appropriate time, we will address the issue of Daryl Washington further.”
The best news related to the NFL is that the Draft is starting tomorrow and that means we will not be seeing a minimum of 15 Mock Draft articles/fantasies per day. Give thanks to the Deity of your preference for that welcome relief.
Finally, here is news from Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald on a subject other than the NFL:
“McLain Ward won the jumping competition at the Equestrian World Cup in Omaha. When your name is McLain Ward you have four choices in life: become an equestrian rider, diplomat, chess master or novelist.
“A quick correction: The World-Herald mistakenly reported that McLain Ward is also Batman.”
But don’t get me wrong, I love sports ………
Here in Seattle there is zero discussion of the Lynch trade to the Raiders. We pretty much gave up on him after the 2015 season where he played when he felt like it, showed up to make the plane to road games when he felt like it, etc, etc. Take the drama to Oakland.
Who are his peers at that age in the NFL? Jonathan Stewart or Frank Gore, look at their consistent stats… there really is no comparison. After sitting stale for a couple years I don’t see Marshaun having success in Oakland.
Don’t forget from 2012 to 2014 he had one key thing here in Seattle…. All Pro-Blocking!!!
Joe W:
Not only was he lackadaisical in his last year in Seattle, he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Having said that and acknowledging what you pointed out, he is still a positive addition to the RB depth chart for the Raiders.
Especially since Latavius Murray left. The Radiers needed someone, and perhaps being home will juice up the GAS factor.
rugger9:
Lynch will need not be a Pro Bowl level RB to be the lead back on the Raiders’ team this year. At the same time, given his age and his “mileage”, it would not be a good idea for the Raiders to think they can run him 300 times over the course of 16 games and expect him to be a factor in the playoffs…
I’m not sure he needs 300 touches, since his value is like Mahan’s “fleet in being” concept as an alternative to Derek Carr’s arm since more than one guy will be needed to take him down and that leaves holes elsewhere. I think the wisdom of the decision should be apparent by the end of camp, and as I recall the Raiders didn’t give up anyone of note for getting him.
rugger9:
Indeed, the Raiders gave up the NFL equivalent of a ham sandwich to obtain Lynch’s rights…