Marshawn Lynch: bargain Beast Mode
Join the Lynch mob
Aside from his magnificent scamper in last year's playoff upset over the New Orleans Saints, Marshawn Lynch couldn't do much with his carries in 2010.
That's the beauty of last year's results. Many will focus on them and dub Seattle a place for fantasy running games to die. Darrell Bevell's offense, however, should help everyone in this system.
There's no question Lynch is the main backfield attraction, as Seattle is embracing the fact that Justin Forsett and Leon Washington are merely complementary pieces. With a shaky QB situation (Tarvaris Jackson isn't a cure-all, or even necessarily a cure-something), they'll be sure to pound the ball often. If the passing game can show any crumb of competency, Lynch will have more room to run.
Detractor fuel: His yards-per-carry average is 3.9 for his career and never topped 4.1 in a full season. And Lynch hasn't registered a 16-gamer yet, either. But since when has Lynch played for a productive offensive line? Can't say he did with the Buffalo Bills.
We didn't have a chance to see what he could do once that offense opened up because he was swapped to Seattle, whose offensive line couldn't block me. Lynch arrived in the Emerald City too late to receive productive assistance from acclaimed O-line guru Alex Gibbs. Seattle instead endured inconsistency along the front all season, thanks to injuries and Gibbs' abrupt preseason retirement that prevented Seattle from productively installing a zone-blocking - or any other - scheme.
Re-enter re-signed fullback Michael Robinson, who worked well guiding Lynch last season. The arrival of Tom Cable, a protégé of Gibbs, as offensive line coach to restore his mentor's zone-blocking setup? Gold for the former Golden Bear, who fits the system.
The former Oakland Raiders HC also reunites with vet guard Robert Gallery (a successful Cable disciple from Oakland). If Gallery, Max Unger and Russell Okung can stay healthy to go along with rookies James Carpenter and John Moffitt, Lynch should see more holes.
(Oh, and he's even trying to repair his off-the-field image. Maturity - in all facets - can't hurt.)
Though this is in flux, Lynch is being drafted as the 29th back on average in standard scoring, and the 27th in PPR per Mock Draft Central's rankings. I prefer Lynch over Ryan Torain, Ryan Grant and BenJarvus Green-Ellis - all being drafted before him on average, and all having more timeshare concerns. I'd take Lynch before Cedric Benson, too. At least the former has upside.
Beast Mode? Try Value Mode. Join the Lynch mob.
How many clever phrases do I need to tell you this guy's a capable No. 2 fantasy back?
1,092 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 25 receptions, 190 receiving yards, nine touchdowns
