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Though he didn't remind anyone of the second-coming of Thurman Thomas during the Bills four exhibition games, Lynch is expected to become the team's offensive workhorse this season. The 5-foot-11, 217-pounder rushed for more than 1,200 yards his sophomore and junior years at Cal and scored a total of 25 touchdowns before deciding to forgo his senior season and enter the draft.
McGahee averaged under four yards per carry during his Bills career and never regained the breakaway speed he displayed at the University of Miami before suffering a catastrophic knee injury.
Lynch appears to have the fifth gear that McGahee lacked, averaging 6.6 yards each time he carried the football in college. He also caught 34 passes last season, and is a willing blocker on blitzes.
"The toughest thing I've found at this level are the blitz pickups," he said. "Defenses throw a lot more stuff at you at this level, and I'm still learning about those responsibilities on blitzes. You got to be able to do that if you want to play every down in the NFL."
Don't be surprised if Bills coach Dick Jauron has Lynch split time with veteran Anthony Thomas early on. Jauron coached the A-Train in Chicago, and believes he can help Lynch adjust to the mental aspects of the pro game.
