By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills rookie Marshawn Lynch started the process of giving back before his NFL career began. The running back held a camp for youngsters in his hometown of Oakland before reporting to his first training camp to assume the challenge of replacing Willis McGahee. Lynch was that eager to serve as a role model. "I come from the 'hood. We didn't really get to see too many athletes who made it," Lynch says. "We saw ones who had the potential to make it and got caught up in something. Thank God I'm one who made it this far. I just want to show kids it's possible." Despite his standing as the 12th overall pick overall in the April draft and the second running back taken after the Minnesota Vikings chose Adrian Peterson seventh, the game has taught Lynch the value of humility.
"I'll never be a star," he says. "I'll still be the same old Marshawn." The Bills hope that selflessness comes with stellar production. Anticipation is high that Lynch can eventually help Buffalo end a seven-year playoff drought. And coach Dick Jauron is not about to diminish those expectations. "Clearly, we thought he was really good to draft him where we drafted him," Jauron says. "I'm not certain he's not just a little better than what we thought. When you see him all the time in person, he's quick. Real quick." Veteran wide receiver Lee Evans emphasizes that eye-opening practices need to turn into strong performances when Buffalo opens its season against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 9. He can easily envision Lynch emerging as a Rookie of the Year candidate. "He very well could be," Evans says. "He has that type of talent."
The 5-11, 215-pounder possesses quickness, balance and pass-catching ability that may allow long-suffering Bills fans to forget McGahee. Lynch carried 223 times for 1,356 yards and 11 touchdowns in his third and final season at the University of California to go with 34 receptions for 328 yards and four more scores. McGahee was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens after a season in which he finished with 990 yards (on 259 attempts) and six touchdowns. He was held to 18 catches for 156 yards as the Bills again missed the postseason at 7-9.
Buffalo is excited about the threat Lynch can represent coming out of the backfield, given his elusiveness and the good hands he's displayed in practice. "Marshawn, he's different than Willis," Evans says. "He's a back who can come out of the backfield with good hands. He can go down the middle and catch the ball. He brings a different dimension to the passing game." McGahee, who suffered a devastating knee injury in his final game at the University of Miami, never displayed the explosiveness the Bills were hoping for when they gambled on him in the opening round in 2003. They hope Lynch can develop into more of a long-ball threat. Lynch says the NFL's warp speed "is a great pace to play at." He views pass-blocking as his greatest challenge. "That's the difference," he says, "between a two-down back and an every-down back." While his sights are set on the latter, don't expect him to say that. His approach to football, and seemingly to everything else, is as unassuming as it gets. "I live my life one day at a time," he says without being asked.
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