Marshawn Lynch easing into Raiders' offseason program

ALAMEDA - Marshawn Lynch spent most of his first public practice with the Raiders Tuesday engaging with teammates and coaches, flashing his ever-present smile and appearing to enjoy the concept of playing for his hometown team.

Lynch talked and laughed with left tackle Donald Penn and placekicker Sebastian Janikowski during warmups. Later, he chatted up defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., whom Lynch knows from their days with the Seattle Seahawks.

Actually taking handoffs, running pass routes or participating at full speed will come another day.

“He’s doing great,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said after the first of three organized team activity sessions this week. “He’ll continue to do the things that we’re asking him to do. He’s really soaking up the system and doing a great job fitting in.”

Lynch, not surprisingly, was not one of the three players selected by the Raiders for media sessions. He has yet to address his comeback after a year of retirement and subsequent acquisition by the Raiders from the Seattle Seahawks.

He’s done plenty of talking with teammates, however, who are getting to know the man who will replace the departed Latavius Murray as the primary ball carrier. Murray signed a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

“He’s a great addition to us,” left tackle Donald Penn said. “It was tough losing Tay, but I’m proud of him, happy for him. Marshawn had a year off, he’s looking great, feeling great, bringing a lot of energy here, a lot of momentum.”

Defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. said, “Beast Mode is a good guy. We actually sat down and talked it up a little bit. On camera he may not talk as much, but when you get to know him and talk to him, he opens up to you.”

Lynch is like former Raider Charles Woodson in that his credibility among players throughout the league is unassailable, making it difficult for his new teammates to take their eyes off him.

“Guys like that, you just watch ‘em,” wide receiver Amari Cooper said. “You see how they go about their day. With Charles, I used to watch him a lot. He was a really hard worker, always in the weight room, always getting treatment. Marshawn, he’s the same way. I just watch him. There’s a reason why those two guys are so successful in this game.”

Lynch often didn’t participate in voluntary activities in Seattle, but has been a constant presence at the Raiders facility during the offseason conditioning program and now the OTAs. Del Rio didn’t get specific about Lynch’s on-field activity Tuesday but said all is going according to plan.

“We’ve got no issues there,” Del Rio said. “He’s been here, like he said he would be here. He’s come in and said, ‘Coach, this is home for me. It’s not like I’m going home and I won’t be here.’

“He’s committed to being here. He’s excited to be a Raider, and we’re excited to have him.”