Lynch takes on roles of jokester, leader
Derek Carr, telling defensive end Khalil Mack he just blocked him during a scrimmage (he didn’t), shadowboxing with offensive coordinator Todd Downing, or sharing stories with kicker Sebastian Janikowski, as Lynch made the rounds socially at practice every day.
“He’s a fun guy to be around all the time,” Downing said. “He’s a great teammate. He’s fun in meetings. He’s fun in the meal room. It’s certainly nice to see him out there and running around and moving the way he is. We’re really pleased with where he’s at.”
Walking over and doing drills with the defensive-line group Tuesday.
Signing autographs for kids after practice, one of whom offered a bag of Skittles — Lynch’s favorite candy — and asked for it to be signed. Lynch made like he was taking a handoff, grabbed the Skittles and sprinted into the locker room, laughing.
Walking over during practice and talking to his camera crew from Beast Mode Productions about the next shot or video. When or where the footage will appear is anyone’s guess.
NFL Network announcers stopping by camp on a couple of occasions and — on their first visit — Lynch strolling to the set and flirting with reporter Colleen Wolfe on air before realizing she is married. The dinner invite was rescinded.
And in a move that might have been a protest against social injustice, Lynch sitting during the national anthem prior to the preseason opener. Some teammates said they were proud of him but many wondered if he was just being his flaky, unpredictable self. (When Lynch played for Seattle, teammates said he would either stand, sit or be in the locker room for the anthem).
Lynch did not talk to reporters after Saturday’s game to explain, but he did seem to enjoy being sought after when the Raiders returned to practice in Napa on Tuesday. He toyed with the media, cracking jokes, wondering aloud if he should answer questions, leaving for his hotel room, then coming back to the field toward reporters, before leaving again with a big smile on his face.
Earlier — when a reporter asked Lynch if he had a minute to talk — Lynch said he had “anytime minutes,” and as he walked away, laid out his international calling plan as well.
No one knows what Lynch will do when the anthem starts Saturday, in the Oakland native’s first game for the Raiders in front of the hometown fans. And Lynch wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s truly a blessing and just to have the opportunity to go and do that is a good ... feeling,” Lynch said.
The anthem and what Lynch does will be a focus regardless.
Though head coach Jack Del Rio had a problem with a couple of players who raised a fist during the anthem for two games last season, he said he respects Lynch “as a man” and his sitting during the anthem is “a nonissue.”
Del Rio has done something for Lynch that he hasn’t done for any other player since he took the job before the 2015 season: given him a free pass to do what he wants. In return, Del Rio hopes he is rewarded with a physical, not past-his-prime running back who can close out games for the team.
Lynch was asked Thursday whether Del Rio gives players the space to be themselves. He answered by invoking a play the Raiders use — and the options he has when it’s called.
“Yeah because on ‘Doctor-24,’ it’s a designed way that you’re supposed to run it but I have all freedom to go any way that I choose to run it,” Lynch said. “I would say yes.”
So far, everything looks so good. Lynch, 31, is in great shape after coming out of retirement.
“My body is feeling pretty good,” Lynch said Thursday, “considering I was off for that time. It’s straight.”
Carr doesn’t think Lynch has lost a step.
“The year off may have been the best thing for him,” Carr said. “He looks fresh. And then he came in and picked up the offense very fast.”
Training camp is supposed to be light contact but Lynch has used his stiff arm to stun would-be huggers and at times ran through the line of scrimmage with a head of steam looking for players to trample.
“He looks like a guy who’s been out a year,” Del Rio said last week, unable to hold back the smile after the deadpan delivery.
“He’s doing a great job working wisely. We’re bringing him along. We’ve been smart about it the whole offseason. He’s doing the things we’re asking him to do. He’s fully committed. I like the way he’s progressing.”
Lynch also has been good at giving second-year running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard tips.
“They’re all talented,” Lynch said. “The biggest thing is that most of them probably were watching me when they were in middle school or high school, so it’s kind of crazy. I call all of them my kids, so I’m their daddy.
“But to watch them work and see the work that they put in is a blessing and at the same time, I want to make sure that I uphold their standard.”
Among other things, Lynch tells Washington and Richard to avoid taking unnecessary hits in games.
Which is funny, because Lynch has not practiced what he preached in that regard.
“He’s going to run through some people’s faces,” Carr said, offering his best G-rated version of Lynch’s philosophy.
“My body is feeling pretty good, considering I was off for (a year). It’s straight.” Marshawn Lynch, Raiders running back
Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur