Friday, July 27, 2007

AP: Bills' Rookie Lynch inks 19 Million Dollar Deal, Ready to Grab No. 1 RB

From signing ... to starting?

Running back Marshawn Lynch, the Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick, agreed to a five-year contract worth nearly $19 million late Thursday evening, the player's agent told The Associated Press.  "Marshawn's ecstatic and looking forward to helping the Bills," Doug Hendrickson said. "All along, Marshawn told us he wanted to be in camp on time and instructed us to get the deal done."  Drafted 12th overall out of California, Lynch will earn $10.285 million in guaranteed money including bonuses, with the entire contract worth $18.935 million. Lynch was traveling to join the Bills at their training camp site in suburban Rochester and was expected to be at practice Friday. He missed the Bills first two practices which were held Thursday.

The Bills were not immediately available for comment. Buffalo drafted Lynch to replace former starter Willis McGahee, who was traded to Baltimore in March.  Lynch was the second running back selected in the draft, behind Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, who was taken No. 7 by Minnesota. Lynch finished with 3,230 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, while adding 600 yards receiving and six TDs in 35 games spread over three years at California.  The Bills particularly like Lynch's versatility as a receiver, an added dimension that fits offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild's scheme and something McGahee struggled with.  Lynch, who played quarterback in high school, even showed off a strong arm in college, completing three passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, Lynch was the PAC-10 offensive player of the year last season and considered to have explosive speed and power to run inside. Earlier on Thursday, Bills coach Dick Jauron expressed hope that Lynch wouldn't miss too much more practice time.

"It's always an issue. You don't want him to miss any time or any practices or any meetings. But we also know it's kind of part of the game today," Jauron said. "I know we're making every effort and I know they are, too. Hopefully, he'll be in, but I wish he hadn't missed even one (day)."

No comments: