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The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that the Buffalo Bills probably will try to trade running back Marshawn Lynch. He has the talent to be a heavy-duty NFL running back, but his problems with the law and attitude are heavy baggage. One reason he didn’t do much last season was that he never was in top shape after starting the season on the suspended list. San Diego needs a running back. LaDainian Tomlinson is likely to be released and Darren Sproles will be playing on a one-year contract as a franchise player in 2010. The best running back in the 2010 college draft is C.J. Spiller (Clemson), who will be selected before San Diego’s No. 28 overall pick. The Chargers might consider Lynch a better bet than Jahvid Best (California), Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech), Toby Gerhart (Stanford) or any other running back in the draft.

Mancini’s Take: If the Lightening Bolts are able to secure the troubled Lynch with a fourth-round pick, I would jump all over it. Keep in mind that the Oakland native will only be 24 at the start of the season and may just need a change of scenery to get the most out of his God-given ability. For all his past transgressions, you could see why Lynch might not have been motivated to play in NFL Siberia last year. Years of losing and hopelessness sometimes sap the energy out of players. We’ve seen this happen with Corey Dillon who took his game up a few notches after escaping Cincinnati and reemerging as a New England Patriot years ago. But unlike Dillon, Lynch hasn’t even reached his prime yet. If you could overlook his deplorable attitude off the field (as difficult as that may be), the power back is a battering ram that lowers his shoulder and runs through contact. In addition, he adds an element of speed and quickness that Tomlinson can no longer provide. You have to love the way the former first round pick runs low to the ground, as well as his explosive leg drive. There’s no doubt in my mind that Lynch could put up big numbers on a Super Bowl contender, surrounded by the likes of Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and company. Investing a lower pick will allow GM A.J. Smith to take the best athlete available rather than forcing him to draft Tomlinson’s successor in the first round.

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