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          NFL Nation

          Marshawn Lynch 'soaking up' Raiders' system as an observer at OTAs

          • Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterMay 24, 2017, 07:00 AM ET
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              Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role - writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA's Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis' Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
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          ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Sure, Marshawn Lynch used the stretching period of the Oakland Raiders' OTA practice Tuesday to actually, you know, stretch. But he also used it to bound around, from line to line, to engage with his new teammates, his ever-present smile beaming brighter than ever.

          It was easier to see the grin on Lynch -- who came out of a one-year retirement to be acquired by the Raiders in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks -- because, well, he was not wearing a helmet. The running back was an observer, chopping it up with the likes of place-kicker Sebastian Janikowski, Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn and linebacker Bruce Irvin during stretching, and anyone else nearby during drills.

          Should you be alarmed that Lynch was not participating in the voluntary workouts? Raiders coach Jack Del Rio was not about to show panic as Oakland eases Lynch in.

          “Yeah, he’s doing great, he’s doing great," Del Rio said. “He’ll continue to do the things that we’re asking him to do. He’s really soaking up the system. He’s doing a great job fitting in.”

          Is that why Lynch was not wearing a helmet, still trying to “fit in” to his new surroundings after a year off?

          “Yeah, he’s coming along, he’s doing great,” Del Rio said. “We have no issues there. He’s been here like he said he’d be here. Really committed.”

          There had been a thought or two from observers that the notoriously free-spirited Lynch might sit out the voluntary workouts. Not so, Del Rio said.

          “He said, ‘Coach, this is home for me, so it’s not like I’m going home and I won’t be here,’” Del Rio said with a laugh. “He’s committed to being here. He’s excited to be a Raider. We’re excited to have him.”

          Lynch, 31, has yet to address the media since landing in Oakland in late April. But his presence has been more than felt.

          “When Marshawn does talk, he’s a pretty funny guy,” Penn said. “He’s a fool. We’re all having fun, just getting ready to get stuff started.”

          Said defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.: “Beast Mode’s a good guy. We actually sit down and talk it up a little bit, and he’s a good guy. On camera he may not talk as much, but you know, when you get to know him, he opens up to you.”

          Lynch has been a participant in previous workouts and a figure in the facility.

          “I’ve known Marshawn a long time,” Penn added. “I really wanted to get him here. I’m glad he came and we got everything done. He’s a great addition to us.

          “Marshawn coming back after a year off, looking great and feeling great, he’s bringing a lot of energy here and a lot of momentum. It feels good to have him in here.”

          Receiver Amari Cooper said he can already feel what Lynch brings to the team.

          “Physicality -- he’s a physical back,” Cooper said. “It’s nice to have his presence there, just the energy he’ll bring to the team, the attitude he’ll bring on Sundays.

          “He’s a good spirit. He’s cool to have around, a really cool person.”

          The Raiders, in improving from an 0-10 start in 2014 to 7-9 in 2015 to 12-4 and a playoff appearance last season, have found a way to meld young talent with veterans.

          Think Charles Woodson, Justin Tuck and now Lynch.

          “Guys like that, you just watch them,” Cooper said. “You see how they go about their day. Especially with Charles, I used to watch him a lot. He was really hardworking. He was always in the weight room, always getting treatment.

          “Marshawn, he’s the same way. I just watch him because there is a reason why those two guys are so successful in this game.”