The Buffalo Bills have always claimed to only keep players on the roster that are good people off the field as well as on. Owner Ralph Wilson does not like his players making news for non-football issues.
But one of the faces of the franchise has become a problem.
Running back Marshawn Lynch was arrested over the weekend for possession of a concealed firearm in California last week, making two straight offseasons where he has been in trouble with the law.
Lynch and two other men were in a 2006 Mercedes Benz when they were pulled over and officers found a loaded gun, which belonged to the back that just a week ago was playing in the Pro Bowl.
Lynch was arrested last June when he was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Chippewa Street in Buffalo. He did not turn himself in right away and it took four days before his lawyer contacted the police.
He also made the news as a college student at California when he was the target of a drive-by shooting, which the police eventually said was a case of mistaken identity. There were "character issues" when the Bills drafted him in the first round of the 2007 draft.
After Willis McGahee was run out of town for negative remarks about the City of Buffalo, Lynch was drafted and has been a decent player on the field in his first two seasons. He rushed for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie and followed that up this past season with 1,036 yards and eight scores. He was an alternate and was added to the Pro Bowl this year.
His numbers are good, but he has not jumped into an "elite" status in the NFL by any stretch of the imagination.
The Buffalo Bills will be asking themselves this offseason if it is worth keeping a player around that makes as much news off the field as on. Lynch will definitely be suspended for some of this upcoming season for violating the league's code of conduct policy, and with his track record there is no assurance that he will not get into trouble with the law again.
The team isn't saying much at this point.
"We can confirm that Marshawn was arrested in California and has retained an attorney," Bills vice president of communications Scott Berchtold said in a statement. "We are in the process of trying to gather the facts and will not offer a comment while that process is ongoing."
Buffalo came into last season with questions about depth in the backfield, but Fred Jackson did a great job last season and some might argue was a more exciting player on the field than Lynch.
Lynch will not be released or traded before the season starts and will probably get another chance with the Bills, but his future is without question in doubt after this latest mishap. The team will probably be focusing on drafting an offensive guard and an outside linebacker early in the upcoming draft, but it might be worth using a pick in rounds 3-5 on a running back. There are always highly ranked players that slip (like Mike Hart to the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round last season).
Lynch is young and has talent, but is he the future of the Buffalo Bills? If the past and philosophy of the team is any indication, he will be on a short leash until he proves himself.
I agree with you about
I agree with you about Marshawn Lynch. I disagree about : "After Willis McGahee was run out of town for negative remarks about the City of Buffalo", Because McGahee was plagued by injuries (knees) and wasnt producing as expected. Ralph Wilson signed every paycheck. I agree that "fast freddie" jackson is smaller but has been able to run,catch,and return the football with sucess the past two years. I bet he is getting less than most players, plus he stays out of trouble. I say, stop using the drafts in hopes of getting a good long term all purpose back look for tight end or fullback. This season they should look for a trade or shop for an experienced RB on free agency.