By Justin Worsley
The Buffalo Bills have traded running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks for two draft picks, helping pave the way for rookie C.J. Spiller to become the feature back in Buffalo's offense.
In exchange for Lynch, 24, Buffalo will receive a 2011 fourth-round draft pick and a conditional pick in the 2012 draft.
To clear a spot for Lynch, Seattle has released Julius Jones, the team's leading rusher for the last two seasons.
Talks of trading Lynch have been circulating since the offseason after the emergence of running back Fred Jackson last season. When Spiller was drafted, Buffalo suddenly had a crowded backfield and it was clear Lynch's days were numbered, it is just surprising to see him last this long.
Lynch was the second running back taken in the 2007 Draft, going 12th overall to Buffalo. The 5-foot-11, 217-pound back made the Pro Bowl in 2008 after rushing for 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Lynch for the first three games of the 2009 season, however, after Lynch plead guilty to misdemeanor gun charges during the offseason. His suspension helped open the way for Jackson to take over as the team's feature back.
Seattle is looking for a spark in their rushing game which currently ranks 27th in the league with 318 rushing yards.
The release of Jones is just another casualty in the Pete Carroll era of the Seahawks. Nearly half of the players on the team during last season's 5-11 campaign are gone.
Lynch has rushed for 164 yards this season on 37 carries but is yet to find the end zone.
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