Belly of the east
Marshawn’s former teammates warn Jets ‘D’ about test waiting in Oakland
Marshawn Lynch exited quietly. In February 2016, Lynch subtly announced his retirement from the Seahawks and football without words. The running back simply tweeted the “peace out” emoji and a photo of green cleats dangling over a wire. Then he was gone.
Nineteen months later, his return to the NFL has been anything but quiet. Beast Mode is definitely back, and that is going to make things a lot more difficult for the Jets.
It was the prospect of playing for his hometown Raiders, who will host the Jets on Sunday, that lured Lynch out of hibernation. Though he repeatedly insisted he was done, the opportunity proved too intriguing to pass up.
Two current Jets, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and guard James Carpenter, played with Lynch in Seattle. Together, they won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, routing the Broncos 43-8.
Neither was shocked by Lynch’s decision to return.
“I wasn’t necessarily caught off guard,” Kearse said. “For him to be able to play for his home team, and be able to represent out there on the field, is something special.”
“I knew he was coming back,” Carpenter told The Post. “Because he got a lot left in him man. You see what he did last week?”
In the Raiders’ 26-16 victory over the Titans, Lynch was breaking tackles and trucking over defenders. He finished with 76 yards on 18 carries, 10 of those carries coming in the fourth quarter to help Oakland seal the outcome. The 31-year-old didn’t exactly look like someone who took a vacation last season.
“He looked better than ever. He actually looked quicker,” Todd Bowles said. “Laterally, he looks just as good as he always has.”
Since 2013, Lynch leads all backs with 500 or more attempts in yards after first contact, averaging 2.66 per rush. Even more impressive, Lynch was responsible for 245 missed tackles since 2013, 66 more than any other back in the league during that span, according to Pro Football Focus. And those numbers factor in his 2016 “retirement.”
His style of running is completely different from Buffalo’s LeSean McCoy, who gashed the Jets for 110 yards on the ground in Week 1. Whereas the shifty McCoy might do his best to get around defenders, Lynch might try to go right through them. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, he often succeeds.
“[He’s] one of the most physical players I’ve ever seen,” Carpenter said.
“He’s just a tough dude,” Kearse echoed. “He’s the best running back I got to see with my own two eyes being [in Seattle]. He holds a presence on the field like no
other.”
The advice Kearse would give his new defense as they prepare for Beast Mode? Gang tackle. It’s tough to bring down Lynch oneon-one.
After being selected 12th overall in the 2007 draft, Lynch spent his first four seasons with the Bills. He has given the Jets problems in the past, rushing for 555 total yards and three touchdowns in eight career meetings.
Now, wearing the silver and black, a rejuvenated Lynch is coming for the Jets again.
“It’s nice to see Marshawn back in the NFL,” Kearse said. “I’m happy he’s back.”
You have to wonder if he’ll feel the same way Sunday.