Raiders hope rested Lynch provides spark
SARASOTA, FLA. >> Don’t fret, Raiders fans. Marshawn Lynch is in Florida. With the team.
He strolled into the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota on Tuesday night after missing Oakland’s walkthrough at IMG Academy earlier in the day. He was on the field Wednesday afternoon when the Raiders amped up preparations for Sunday night’s game in Miami.
Jack Del Rio wants a more physical team to emerge in the second half of the season. The word “physical” might not associate with any player better than No. 24. While his numbers haven’t stood out this season, maybe a week off is what Lynch needed for a fresh start. The Raiders (3-5) are glad to have their workhorse back ahead of a much-needed game against the Dolphins (4-3).
“Having a teammate come back, whether they were injured or suspended, whatever it was, whenever they’re away you miss ’em,” Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. “Getting him back, obviously everyone was excited to see him. Running up, seeing him, ‘How’s it going?’ and all those things.”
In Lynch’s one-week absence because of a suspension, Oakland’s run game was non-existent in a 34-14 loss at Buffalo. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard combined for 13 catches for 97 yards — an aspect Lynch lacks — but the Raiders only mustered 54 rushing yards in 14 carries. The Bills’ LeSean McCoy, on the other hand, dwarfed the Raiders’ ground game, reeling off 151 yards and a touchdown.
Granted, Oakland’s run game hasn’t been anything special when Beast Mode — a name that hasn’t quite fit Lynch’s performance this season — is in the lineup.
He has rushed 72 times for only 266 yards and two touchdowns with an average of 3.7 yards per rush. Before being ejected late in the first half against Kansas City for shoving an official, Lynch carried the ball twice for 9 yards. The Raiders hope to re-discover the ground-and-pound game Lynch has delivered at times this season as they face a top-10 Miami
run defense led by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
“Not the same as being a year away,” Del Rio said of Lynch’s return. “He’s a physical guy, brings passion to the game, so those are things that we welcome back.”
The Raiders are in search of something, anything, that will jumpstart a winning streak. Going 6-2 the rest of the way might not even be good enough to make the playoffs. While there are several things — an interception, another Amari Cooper touchdown, a big punt return — that would revitalize these Raiders, so too would a long run from Lynch.
His longest this season was for 15 yards. We know he wasn’t brought here to reel off 20-yard gains every play, but there’s nothing like a Lynch run for a first down where he breaks free and carries defenders on his back for extra yardage. With that kind of play, from a player whose personality invigorates those around him, Oakland might start to find that mojo Del Rio seeks.
“Marshawn is a great player, great
running back, really tough runner,” Cooper said. “So I think he adds value to our offense.”
How much value is yet to be seen. Lynch hasn’t eclipsed 76 yards in a game this season, and that total came in the opener at Tennessee. Off a personal bye week, could he have his best performance of the season at the time when his team needs it most? The Raiders certainly hope so.
• Starting right guard Gabe Jackson didn’t practice again Wednesday. He wore a protective boot on his left foot Tuesday and was seen walking into a side facility Wednesday — with flip flops and the boot under his arm — while the rest of the team trotted out for practice. Jackson has already missed one game this season with a foot injury, against Baltimore four weeks ago. Jon Feliciano would be the guy in Jackson’s place.
• Four players who missed Sunday’s game were on the field during the open portion of practice Wednesday. Safety Karl Joseph (groin), cornerback David Amerson (foot), linebacker Marquel Lee (ankle) and wide receiver Seth Roberts (illness) were all present. Fullback Jamize Olawale, who left Sunday’s game early with a hamstring injury, was also on the field.