Raiders OC: Lynch has been 'fantastic' in offseason work

As the football world awaits the opportunity to see what Marshawn Lynch has left in the tank, all indications are that his new team is impressed.

Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing explained as much in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, qualifying his praise by stressing that he isn't just talking up one of his players.

"This is being as genuine as I can be," Downing told hosts Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. "He has pleasantly surprised me at every turn. It's been really neat to be around him."

Lynch, a bona fide superstar running back during five-plus seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, ended his brief retirement to return to the NFL and join his hometown Raiders earlier this offseason.

The 31-year-old has explained that news of official plans for a move to Las Vegas influenced him to come back and play while the team is still in the Bay Area.

According to Downing, Lynch's talent and passion for the game are still readily apparent after a year away.

"He loves football; he's a football junkie," he said. "He loves talking football, he loves being on the field, his teammates. He loves toting that rock. So everything that we've seen on him thus far - and, of course, we've only been in pajamas out there practicing - but what we've seen has been fantastic. And I'm as excited as the rest of Raider Nation to see what he's got."

Lynch will have every opportunity to take on a key role for the Raiders as the club sets out in search of a Super Bowl title before skipping town. One of the most physical runners of his generation, the five-time Pro Bowler could be a major early-down and goal-line contributor behind one of the NFL's most dominant offensive lines.

- With h/t to Pro Football Talk