ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders have agreed to a two-year contract to bring running back Marshawn Lynch out of retirement.
A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that the sides have agreed on the terms pending a physical for Lynch on Wednesday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized. NFL Network first reported the deal.
Once Lynch passes the physical, the Raiders will need to acquire his rights in a trade with Seattle. That's expected to be mostly a formality because the Seahawks don't want to pay Lynch the $9 million he would be owed when he comes out of retirement. The teams are expected to swap late-round draft picks in 2018.
Lynch also must apply to the NFL for reinstatement from the retired list before he can play with the Raiders. NFL Network said Lynch would get a $3 million base deal this season, with a chance to make an additional $2 million if he rushes for at least 1,000 yards.
Lynch retired following the 2015 season but decided he wanted to come back and play with his hometown team. The Raiders met with him early this month to gauge his interest and wanted to get a deal done before the draft.
The Raiders have a need for a power running back after losing Latavius Murray in free agency. Second-year backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are both smaller backs and are not as suited to short-yardage and goal-line situations.
"Marshawn is one of the best running backs I've ever played against in my short career so far," Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack said last week. "It would be a great, great, great treat to have him on this side, on the dark side."
Lynch was perhaps the best power back in the league before he retired. He had double digits in touchdown runs every season from 2011 to 2014, and his 51 TDs on the ground are the most in the NFL since 2011 despite playing just seven games in 2015 and being retired last season.
The 31-year-old Lynch averaged 3.8 yards per carry in his limited action in 2015 before retiring. Before that, he was one of the game's top running backs, with more than 1,200 yards rushing in each of the previous four seasons.
"I think he's the most physical guy I've played against," Mack said. "I remember playing against him, I believe, my second season. They ran a power right at me. I remember that play. You're talking about one of the most physical guys I've played against, running back-wise."
His production in Oakland should be helped by running behind a line that had three Pro Bowlers last season in left tackle Donald Penn, left guard Kelechi Osemele and center Rodney Hudson. In his final year with the Seahawks, Lynch averaged just 1.1 yards per carry before contact, the lowest for any back with at least 100 carries, according to Pro Football Focus.
For his career, Lynch has rushed for 9,112 yards and 74 touchdowns.
Lynch was born and raised in Oakland and played college ball nearby at California. He still has strong ties to the area through his Beast Mode company and would be a welcome addition for a fan base still stung by the team's move to Las Vegas for the 2020 season.
Atlanta rapper and Ivy State/G.O.O.D Music member, CyHi The Prynce, sits down with DJ Smallz and reveals the characteristics of an "MC", "rapper" and "lyricist."
Named by Source Magazine "On The Rise" Scud Nation Boi fLOYD continues to "glow up" with new video & single "Swiss Her Sweets." Taking the widely known brand and flipping the concept to describe his girl, Boi fLOYD is diversifying his style with the progression of dope visuals, lyrics and swag all in one. From the beginning to the end of the video, fLOYD locks in his girl, showering her with gifts and affection, strictly making this about the ladies. Directed by Laka Films, Boi fLOYD is carving his niche into the game proving himself to be one of the realest artist coming out of Chicago.
G-Unit recording artist Uncle Murda teams up with General 50 Cent for a new banger titled "Statute of Limitations." Peep it on 50's YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/eU5YtE8hKWQ) and be on the lookout for Murda's forthcoming album, "The Lenny Grant Story."
Kendrick Lamar'snew critically acclaimed "DAMN." album is performing extremely well commercially. After topping the charts with603,000units sold in it's debut week, the disc is still being gobbled up by fans at a rapid rate.
Billboard reports that the album will sit at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the second consecutive week, with projected sales of 220,000 to 240,000 equivalent album units in the week ending April 27.
At this rate Kendrick will soon be celebrating an album exceeding one million in sales for the third time. Both "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" and "To Pimp a Butterfly" have been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
His debut project "Section 80" is certified Gold with sales of 500,000 copies.
Together Philly duo, Freeway, and Scholito are the New Rothschilds, and the lyrical pair sits down to spew bars effortlessly for VladTV. Coming from an arsenal that arguably contained some of rap's best spitters, Freeway's delivery and flow are examples of how rapper has been able to hold his own on a beat for more than a decade. His protege Scholito, who visually just loves the art of rap follows up Free's presence with undeniable charm.
Listen to the two drop a dope freestyle. Head over to Scholito's Soundcloud to hear his latest project Streets Ain't Safe, Vol. 1 and be on the look out for Free's project coming soon.
Hot Boy Turk has had enough of females who've had one too many injections to enhance the size of their butts. Listen to what Turk has to say on the TRAPDRUMMAYOSHI-produced song titled "Big Bird."
BSB Records CEO, Troy Ave, was in Los Angeles recently and stopped by radio station Power 106 to chop it up with the L.A. Leakers.
He cleared up the rumor that he was going to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment at one point, still dealing with the fallout from the Irving Plaza shooting, his 'NuPac' street album, haters vs. real fans, prospering despite his current legal problems, selling merchandise when he couldn't tour, the diss song "Press Spray," Joe Budden beef, his two sons and more.
Adrien "About Billions" Broner recently talked with Thisis50 about the recent attempt on his life that left his SUV riddled with bullets, moving away from his hometown of Cincinnati and more.
Duffle Bag Ransom is back once again with a new freestyle this week. Check out his "Revelations" joint up top and let us know what you think by sounding off in the comment section below.
Check out Jeremih's official music video for his single titled "I Think of You" featuring fellow crooner Chris Brown and G.O.O.D. Music recording artist Big Sean.
Drake has been tapped to host the first ever NBA awards show on June 26.
Previously, award winners had been announced separately, but this year individual accolades such as The Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year will be acknowledged on the same night, according to the Associated Press.
Additional awards will be added. League sources and Turner Sports say winners will be determined through fan voting.
This is the second major sports hosting gig for Drake. He previously held it down at the 2014 ESPYs.
Big Boi was the musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Monday, April 24th. He used the occasion to perform his new single titled "Mic Jack."
Snoop Dogghas unveiled the cover for his forthcoming album titled "Neva Left." The disc is the fifteenth in the legendary career of the Long Beach, California native.
When it comes to social issues Talib Kweli is one of the most outspoken people in hip hop. In that regard, it shouldn't be surprising that he would have a lot to say about the current state of political affairs in America.
TMZ caught up with the 41-year old Brooklyn, New York native at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, April 24, to get his opinion on Donald Trump's first 100 days as President of the United States.
TMZ: We're coming up on Trump's 100th day in office. How do you think this administration has affected Obama's legacy?
Talib Kweli: I think it's made people understand the bar is set way lower for white men. Trump can be mediocre, he could be a failure. Obama had to work so much more harder than everybody else. He had so many more obstacles to overcome than Donald Trump has. And he still was called a monkey. Still called a liar to his face by a congressman. Trump lies every day. Ain't nobody calling him a liar to his face.
TMZ: So, there's obviously a racial divide there?
Talib: That's the whole reason Donald Trump is president. It's America paying us back for the nigger president.
TMZ: Would you like to sit down with him?
Talib: Absolutely not. Donald Trump would have to say and do a hell of a lot of things. He would have to make a lot of apologies before I would sit down.
TMZ: Any advice for him?
Talib: My advice is that America is great. Not because rich, straight, white men, who have always been in power make it great. America is great because of diversity. So, you have to learn about marginalized communities. You have to learn about Jewish people, Muslims, women, black people, gay people. You know, people who are going to be further marginalized in Trump's America. He should reach out to those communities and listen to those communities. Instead of dictating to those communities.
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