McGinn:Pack should look at Marshawn Lynch

[paulpressey25]

Did we have a thread on this and I missed it?

Interesting speculation.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/91986929.html

Green Bay — If the Green Bay Packers are interested in acquiring a veteran running back after the draft, add the name of Marshawn Lynch to that of Brian Westbrook on the list of possibilities.

Lynch, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2007 and '08 but with a long history of off-field problems, wants out of Buffalo and the Bills appear more than willing to trade him.

"I'm sure they'd be willing to take whatever at this point," a personnel director for a National Football League team said Friday. "They've got too many guys and they're trying to move him, but I don't know if there's much activity. He just doesn't want to be there. Just not a good situation."

The Packers might have selected Lynch with their first-round draft choice in 2007, but the Bills took him with the 12th choice. Four choices later, Green Bay took defensive tackle Justin Harrell.

Lynch was suspended for the first three games of 2009 after pleading guilty to a weapons charge. Fred Jackson then played so well that Lynch couldn't get his job back.

When the Bills drafted running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth pick Thursday night, Lynch's career in Buffalo appeared finished.

Lynch, who turned 24 Thursday, has two years remaining on a modest contract. He hasn't been participating in the Bills' off-season workout program.

In three seasons, the hard-running Lynch has rushed 650 times for 2,601 yards (4.0) and 17 touchdowns. He also has 93 receptions for 663 yards. Last year, he rushed for 450 yards.

"He went to the Pro Bowl," the personnel man said. "He's a good player."

Lynch, 5 feet, 11 inches and 215 pounds, played in the same backfield with Aaron Rodgers at the University of California in 2004.

Westbrook, 30, became a free agent Feb. 23 when the Philadelphia Eagles released him.

[aaprigs311]

No thanks.

[chuckleslove]

From what I read about Lynch is that they have already tried to trade him and got no offers and might be stuck cutting him. Obviously I would rather get him for free if they are going to cut him

GB might be the place for him to clean up his act, I'll trust TT if he thinks it is worth the risk but I like it.

[paulpressey25]

He had a bad year last season, but he's only 24.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/s ... erId=10456

Guys like Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson flourished with changes of scenery.

I'm down for this one big-time. If the cost is a late pick or the like, I'd do it.

[eagle13]

IF TT feels he has hope then Trade next years 6th rdr.

[aaprigs311]

Ryan Grant is a better player. We need a lightning to his thunder. And he's got major character issues. No way.

[paulpressey25]

I think we badly need some competition in that backfield. I just would doubt Buffalo would really part with him for a 5th or 6th round pick.

[Aaron It Out]

I wouldn't mind Lynch in in a Packers uniform. We still have Grant, and all this will (hopefully) do is motivate Grant not to suck ass at the beginning of the year.

[aaprigs311]

It's obviously important to have two solid backs in the league these days, but Lynch isn't the answer.

[MrLynch07]

Yes Please!

[Newz]

Lynch < Grant

[MrLynch07]

Lynch+Grant > Grant+Jackson

[Bernman]

I'd welcome him to the team with open arms. He's the prototypical buy low trade option. He was solid his first two years in Buffalo without much help from his quarterbacks.

[Balls2TheWalls]

I would love to see Lynch in the green and gold. It is not Thompson's MO to trade for players.

[RiotPunch]

Lynch has elite talent when he is healthy. I would love to add him from a talent standpoint.

[bucks59]

From ESPN

Update: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that the Green Bay Packers could be a possible landing spot for Marshawn Lynch, should the Buffalo Bills choose to part ways with him. Lynch played his college ball with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, so there could be an all-Cal Bears reunion in the Packers' backfield. The report also names Brian Westbrook as a possible target of the Packers, but Lynch is younger and would have fewer injury concerns than Westbrook.

Update: ESPN's Chris Mortensen got out his rumor extinguisher on Friday afternoon, tweeting, "On Marshawn Lynch, my understanding is Bills have no plans to trade him now." We've also been hearing chatter on Friday that the Bills are still asking for too much in return -- an indirect result of not actually wanting to trade him -- which has scared away most suitors.

The Seattle Seahawks were considered the front-runners for awhile, but following their trade for LenDale White, they figure to be out of the picture.

Many thought that by picking C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall selection, the Buffalo Bills were accelerating the process of moving Lynch. Not so fast, my friend. ESPN AFC East blogger Tim Graham asked Bills GM Buddy Nix directly what the Spiller pick meant for Lynch's future in Buffalo, and Nix's reponse was, "Nothing. Doesn't change a thing. He's still ours. We intend for him to be here." Graham notes that Nix and head coach Chan Gailey haven't lied to us yet, and wonders why they'd start now. More importantly, Spiller is seen as more of complement to Lynch and Fred Jackson rather than a replacement for either.

[agiaco]

Sign me up. People make mistakes, so if we were to get him, I hope he could clean up his act and contribute.