By John Sarianides

Speculation is running rampant that the Oakland Raiders are interested in acquiring retired running back Marshawn Lynch from the Seattle Seahawks. Lynch is still under contract with the Seahawks so the only way Oakland could acquire him is to either trade for him or sign him as a free agent if he is released.

By all accounts, Lynch is in great shape and those around him think he is rejuvenated enough to contemplate coming out of retirement. Lynch is from Oakland so it makes sense that he would consider coming out of retirement to play for the Raiders.

Of course the Raiders could find their starting running back in free agency or the draft. Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and LeGarrette Blount all remain unsigned. The draft is loaded at running back. It is so deep in fact that Oakland could probably find a starting caliber running back well into day three.

That is not the Raiders style however. When a Davis locks in on a player they want, they go after that player. Mark Davis wants Marshawn Lynch and that is why the Raiders are kicking the tires on him. You can’t blame them. Lynch is 31 years old and despite having a lot of carries on him, he doesn’t have the injury history that Peterson and Charles have. He is also a better all around back than Blount. You can see why the Raiders are pursuing him.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. The Raiders want to acquire Lynch. It is just a matter of them talking him out of retirement and figuring out compensation with the Seahawks. Don’t look now, but Beast Mode might be coming back. Except this time he will be donning the silver and black of the Oakland Raiders. It makes sense. It’s the Raiders. They don’t operate like most teams.