Regardless of anyone's opinion of the writer, the article states the situation pretty well imo. The only thing that would have made it better is if he wrote, "Do they need Marshawn Lynch? Yes and No." They need the contributions of the various talented players on the team to make the team what it is. Do they need any one player? Not really. One could make a fairly strong case that the Hawks need Russell Wilson, Lynch, Sherman, E. Thomas, Chancellor, etc. And for good reason. But, they can continue playing at a high level with the depth they have.
On a side note: There have been players who have "held out" of camp in years past only to report in enough time to get ready for the real games. Part of me wonders if all this blow up is just feeding the media and just more of a way of keeping the wheels in the garage a bit longer and preserved for the road trip. Players have long argued that the pre-season is too long / too many games. If I could name just one player in the entire NFL that this sort of "hold out" would benefit (esp after coming off a Super Bowl extended season)... it would be Marshawn Lynch.
But, back to where I was going with this... Lynch's absence may change the identity of the team, but not necessarily affect the success. Are they successful in part due to Lynch in the backfield? Yes. Would they miss him if he chooses to not honor his contract? Certainly. But, while this isn't the exact situation with the beloved Shaun Alexander, I don't want to see the team repeating the mistake of over-paying for a back on the high(er) end of miles - especially one that already has a contract that shouldn't be offensive to a top-5 back. (Before anyone scoffs at that - make sure you re-read the first part. I'm not saying players shouldn't get all they can while they can. Nothing necessarily wrong with that and not my argument. It's more all things considered - his lack of true leverage.) The business side of this game is not being unfair to Beastmode.
Remember your own words Marshawn, "They gonna have to stop all of us. We got some Dawgs." You're certainly among them and of course the Seahawks need you, if you want to be part of this.
Brian Dawkins was on Mike and Mike this morning and when speaking about competing contracts brought up a good point. Someone's contract is always going to be exceeded by another premier player depending on when each players contract is up for renewal. I think the discussion was about the top paid DB's, but the point he made applies. I can't pretend to know the exact reason Marshawn is doing this. But, even if his motives are reasonable enough... on the outside looking in as a fan... he's going about it the wrong way. I know he's a team player. And because he is... he needs to get his butt in with the fellas and represent as a grateful defending Super Bowl Champion.
The only leverage Marshawn will have is if something happens to either Turbin or Michael while getting their opportunities to take his job in pre-season. Otherwise, I think he reports near the end of pre-season and gets his "raise" (well, of sorts - the team can choose to not enforce the fines and he saves himself a couple mil that way and comes in for the regular season and probably doesn't miss a beat.) Again (and as we all all know), he had a longer season so the extra rest / or preserving him from less necessary work at this point in his career might do his legs good.
