Oakland Tribune: Bowl last Cal game for Lynch?

By Carl Steward

JEFF TEDFORD said Monday he hasn't yet had his summit sitdown with Marshawn Lynch about the star tailback's plans for next year.  Maybe that's because the coach already knows what he's going to hear, even though he publicly professes that he doesn't.  That would be that the Dec.28 Holiday Bowl against Texas A&M will be Lynch's last game as a collegian at Cal, because the lure of the NFL is simply too strong to pass up for the junior from Oakland.  Even if Lynch wanted to stay, the financial opportunities weighed against the potential health risks almost certainly will force him to the pros.  Lynch hasn't yet declared his intentions, and like Tedford, would rather not discuss it yet, even with his coach. The two have had some informal chats, but neither appears to be in a rush to say goodbye.

"It's something we'll address after (the bowl game)," Tedford said. "Really, that's all we've talked about is that, 'Hey, when this is all said and done, we'll get together and find out where you're going, what you're doing and what's on your mind.' I think he prefers it that way as well, just focus on what's going on right now, and afterwards, he'll talk to people and seek advice on what the right thing to do is."  Pressed on his gut feelingabout what Lynch will decide, Tedford tried to maintain his best poker face.  "I have no idea, really, what he's thinking," the coach said. "Obviously, he's been a huge part of what we've done here over the last three  years. But I wouldn't venture to say."

Tedford knows the odds, though, perhaps even more so than two years ago when he was facing the same situation with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One tipoff to the inevitable: Cal already has received verbal commitments from two top prep tailbacks, Salesian's Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen of Valencia. Two-year letterman Justin Forsett will be back next season as well, so the Golden Bears' backfield won't be destitute, even if there's no way you replace a Marshawn Lynch.  The coach also probably understands it's going to be a lean year in the NFL Draft for running backs, with Lynch and Oklahoma standout Adrian Peterson viewed as the only ones who likely will be first-round selections. Most early mock drafts have Peterson and Lynch going among the top-10 picks, and one I saw this weekend projected that they will go 1-2, with Lynch landing with the Oakland Raiders.

Sad but true, but Lynch's hometown team probably needs him more than Cal does, and if they want him, they should get the chance to draft him come April, if they deem him worthy. It remains to be seen if he'll truly grade out to be a top-5 pick, but his stock has steadily risen as pro scouts have gotten a more acute bead of his physical package.  It doesn't hurt Lynch's prospects that he is drawing an increasing number of comparisons to the San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson, considering the otherworldly season Tomlinson is having. Nobody is saying Lynch is the next Tomlinson, but their similarities are unmistakable.  They are almost exactly the same size, for starters, right around 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds. They both are blessed with the rare combination of power, speed and excellent vision. Both have good hands and can be utilized as pass-catchers out of the backfield, and they both have been able to throw the ball as well on occasion.  There's a bit of irony, of course, that Lynch will be playing in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium, where Tomlinson has made his extraordinary mark as a pro for six seasons. As if Marshawn needs any more motivation for this game, that might be it.

Lynch's Cal teammates, while not tipping his hand, are in accord with the notion that he's ready to take the next step.  "If I was him, I would probably go, but that's just me," said linebacker Desmond Bishop.  Senior cornerback Daymeion Hughes, who also is being projected to go in the first round of the draft as a mid- to late-round pick, actually contemplated declaring as an underclassman last year and studied his options and possibilities closely.  He said Lynch would be wise to do the same, even if his mind is virtually made up.  "I think it's one of those things where you sit down with your family, consult with some people and ask them what they think," Hughes said. "I did all of that last year. I thought about it, but that wasn't my thing to do."  Hughes realized early on, though, that he had room to improve his draft stock coming into this season. He concedes Lynch can't go much higher.  "He's probably the best football player I've ever seen," he said. "I wouldn't tell him to stay."  Tough as it may be to do, Tedford won't, either.