odds that Lynch plays out his contract

[The Radish]

I've said right along that his style doesn't lend itself to long careers. But every now and then one comes along beat the odds.

Look at Ricky Watters. Hell he was a hitter his entire career at ninnirs, Eagles, and then here and was hitting hard to the last.

Do I think that will happen with Lynch? Well no,,,,,but we can dream and Watters did finish his career here.

:les:

 

[Lady Talon]

Medias just trying to get hits on their sites in the offseason. Whatever happens, I have faith we'll do right by Lynch. Hell, we did right by Matt Flynn lol.

 

[Bakergirl]

Personally I think Lynch has done a lot for this team both production wise and image wise. I would like to see him not only play out his contract if possible, but when the time comes I'd like to see the team re-sign him in a backup/leadership capacity so he can eventually retire a Hawk (hopefully with at least one ring on his hand). I didn't like the way Alexander's career ended, and I'd like to see them do Lynch one better.

 

[jhawk91]

I hope to god he does, I just got a Lynch jersey.....

 

[MANUNITED23]

I believe Hawks will be rotating backs more often than they used to in the past. With that being said a lot of it depends on his health. If he stays healthy I can see him playing out close to if not all the length of his contract.

 

[Hawksfanatik]

We will see. I think taking Michael in the draft was due to Lynch's DUI case and his back spasms.

Good insurance to get another dynamic runner in the SEA backfield.

 

[razor150]

I think it depends on 2 things, how productive he is and how productive his back up is. If the front office this they can get the same production or better out of one of his back ups for less, then his days are numbered.

 

[HawkWow]

Lynch is my #2 all time Hawk RB (John L.). I'd like for him to eventually become #1 but think that will have to happen in 2013..or it won't happen at all. IF he is still with us in 2014, I have a feeling he won't be starting. Aside from the nagging back and mass miles he's put on his body, and as good as he is, he may not be the perfect fit PC is looking for, for this offense. I know Pete loves him (who don't?) and I say this entirely based on the one cut running style of our first draft pick in 2013. Michael's style is likely more condusive to what Pete and Cable are trying to do with the running game. But that is mere speculation on my part.

It goes without saying that Lynch's style is not geared towards Longevity (like Alexanders), but maybe, despite his heroics, he's wearing down faster than we think. If I recall correctly, after fumbling just a handful of times all season, he put the ball on the carpet no less than 4 times in the play-offs. He's a magnificent player but fumbles cannot be tolerated and I hope he gets that worked out....or I will wish him well in his next endeavor.

 

[Shock2k]

Nothing sucks more than watching players you love start heading down the road to retirement. I really hope he closes his career out in Seattle, and Seattle gives him the opportunity to do just that.

Let's be honest, he's 27 now. The contract was set up to pre-date the "30 year old" slump. And if they stick to the competition rules mantra. Christine Michael should have the chance to compete for the starting job in the next couple years (or some other RB).

Man, I don't even want to think about this right now. I'm back to thinking about this season.

 

[kearly]

I actually think Lynch will probably play the contract out. Lynch isn't just a running back, if not for RW he'd be the face of the franchise. I know with the Mariners a lot of smart people have argued that trading Felix even for an amazing package of prospects is a bad idea because the fanbase would turn on the organization, or at a minimum you'd lose the opportunity to sell #34 jerseys which are a significant source of income. In a similar fashion, I think releasing Lynch could have some extraneous and hidden drawbacks that would make the team more hesitant to move on from his deal early.

Additionally, this front office has made a MAJOR emphasis on treating their guys right. They said re-signing the relatively expendable Kam Chancellor was their top priority, and when they signed the extension they even had a big ceremony with Kam to celebrate it. They paid way more than people expected to keep Bryant. They've been locking up their own players very aggressively and paying them at market value. Lynch is the ultimate PC/JS Seahawk, so he's much more likely to be treated with deference.

Is Lynch's security a good thing? That's debatable given how good his backups are. I suppose if Ricky Watters could lose his job to Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch could lose his job to Christine Michael. Keep in mind though, Lynch isn't some mid-round RB who did well for himself. He's a former top prospect that was drafted soon after Adrian Peterson. I think for Seattle to move on from Lynch, it would have to be abundantly clear that his time here is done or that he's holding back the team in some manner.

One other thing to consider, Seattle gets no compensational pick consideration for players they release. So if they keep Lynch that extra year, they'd likely earn an extra draft pick from it, maybe a good one. When Seattle picks and chooses which guys stay and which go, I'm guessing they'll prefer to lose free agents over releasing players on active contracts, because players that leave in free agency could bring draft picks back the next year.

 

[OkieHawk]

I think that he finishes out his contract. As Kearly stated the FO is on the cutting edge of treating the players who deserve it very well. Heck, look at how they showed the new draftees parents how different we were by flying them in for Mother's Day. Exciting times friends, exciting times. Go Hawks!

 

[Mick063]

Marcus Allen enjoyed an extended career because Bo Jackson took his snaps in Oakland.

In that context, add two years when speaking of Christine Michael's potential longevity about five years from now.

On another note, Christine Michael will be a star for Seattle. A big time star. For now, it is Lynch's show and Michael will only be able to demonstrate flashes of the future in bits and pieces. Turbin will be an afterthought.

 

[firebee]

Well... Christine Michael has had problems staying healthy in college, so... Let's wait and see if he can stay healthy and live up to his potential before we start deciding if we're going to let Lynch go. Afterall... Lynch is arguably one of the best backs Seattle ever had. Shaun Alexander??? I think Lynch would've blown Alexander's numbers out of the water if he had the offensive line and passing game that Alexander had to work with. Not knocking Alexander... Just saying... Lynch is a better back.

 

[Hawks46]

Too many variables, although that last cap hit is pretty big.

Does Turbin get more carries this year ? Personally I thought he should've gotten more last year as the year progressed. You could see Lynch wearing down a bit, and Turbin was getting better and more consistent.

Now we have Michael. IF he lives up to his billing, he might be the new guy, but we have him cheap and he's young. He's also injury prone; he might never be the bell cow that Lynch is.

So, if both these guys can keep Lynch fresh, I can see him playing it out. I can also see the FO keeping Lynch around on 1 year value contracts after his contract is up. Lynch would probably need to accept a limited role as the other backs will be in their primes, but it's always possible.

 

[fsmassey]

I think that Lynch will stick around. Look at how much productivity San Francisco still gets out of Frank Gore. I believe Beast Mode can have a major role on this offense while getting less playing time. Look at how the running game in San Francisco can get creative because they can depend on Frank Gore to always get his yards. Beast Mode is that, and more. He's proven to be reliable against any opponent, any big game.

 

[fsmassey]

Especially with the addition of Wilson, Lynch will have a ton of focus relieved from him. But he has a role nobody else can replace from what we know now.

 

[McGruff]

Personally I think Lynch has done a lot for this team both production wise and image wise. I would like to see him not only play out his contract if possible, but when the time comes I'd like to see the team re-sign him in a backup/leadership capacity so he can eventually retire a Hawk (hopefully with at least one ring on his hand). I didn't like the way Alexander's career ended, and I'd like to see them do Lynch one better.

Lynch isn't a "leader" in any sense of the word. He wouldn't make a good backup. And I doubt anyone signs him past his current contract.

 

[WestcoastSteve]

I hope he leaves here a stud with a smooth transition to the next guy, my hope is that he doesn't leave here as a shell of his former self where we're talking about all the great things he used to do but can't do anymore.