"The Seahawks' running game hasn't been in much of a hurry this season.

They hope Marshawn Lynch will change that in a hurry.

"We're bringing him in here to play a bunch," coach Pete Carroll said.

That's the reason Seattle got him in a trade from Buffalo, acquiring the former first-round pick from the Bills in exchange for two draft choices. The Seahawks said those choices were undisclosed, but Fox Sports first reported it was a fourth-round pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012.

"This is a move to help us immediately that we know has longevity to it because of his makeup and his age," Carroll said. "We're pumped about the opportunity here to get him in here, but we're counting on him by next week being able to help us and do something for us."

Lynch, 24, becomes the latest attempt to improve a running game that has steadily eroded since the Super Bowl season. Seattle released Julius Jones after acquiring Lynch, a departure that was not surprising since Jones took a pay cut before the season and was inactive for Sunday's game despite being healthy.

Seattle is one of four teams in the NFL that hasn't had a player rush for more than 1,000 yards any of the past four seasons.

Lynch accomplished that feat twice in his first three seasons in the league after he was chosen with the 12th overall selection in 2007. The Seahawks' pursuit of him began back in March, and while Carroll didn't designate that Lynch will be the starter, he's not coming here for merely a supporting role.

Justin Forsett started the first four games for Seattle, and he is a close friend of Lynch after the two were teammates at Cal. Lynch was one of Forsett's groomsmen in his wedding this offseason, and Forsett expressed no dismay over the distinct possibility he won't be getting as many carries.

"Coach definitely stresses competition," Forsett said of Carroll. "Me and Marshawn have worked together in the past, so I definitely have no issue with that."

Lynch is 5 feet 11, 215 pounds, and known for a physical running style. Lynch lost his starting job to Fred Jackson last season, but he led the Bills in carries in two of the first four games this season. The Bills drafted C.J. Spiller in the first round of this year's draft."