Cory's Corner: Eddie Lacy answers his detractors
The second, or first preseason game, didn’t present a lot of juice with the Packers’ top two quarterbacks out, as well as its top wide receiver and top two defensive players.
Even with all of those guys absent, Eddie Lacy still presented plenty of questions.
How would he respond after getting criticized by his head coach following the season? Would he look noticeably thinner, and how would that affect his running style?
He answered that question quickly and easily. Mike McCarthy gave Lacy the ball three straight times to start the game and the slimmer running back entering his fourth NFL season looked good.
And what’s even better is that the dropped weight didn’t affect his power at all. He didn’t shy away from contact and even refused to go down on first contact early on.
Obviously this is only one meaningless preseason game and Lacy only got four carries. He came out tonight to prove that it bothered him that he was the butt of jokes all offseason. He was upset early in camp when he was asked a legit question about his weight and all that negativity he bottled up and used it as motivation.
But now the questions about sustainability will come. In the doldrums of November and December, will he be able to stay motivated and make sound choices?
That is yet to be seen.
But Lacy passed his first test on Friday night. Yeah, it was against a Cleveland defense that doesn’t strike fear in anyone now that Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner are gone, but Lacy earned confidence in himself.
I’ve said it at the start of camp, but Lacy is the X-factor this year. That may sound silly on a team oozing with passing talent, but if the running game can consistently move the chains, this offense will be nearly unbeatable.
The Packers need Lacy to understand how important he is to this team’s success. It appears that happened over the offseason with an impressive showing.
On Friday, Lacy looked like the NFC Rookie of the Year by running downhill and entering the game with an exclamation point.
Now all he has to do is keep that fire burning.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (35)
Big Moe
August 13, 2016 at 06:39 am
Loved the attitude he showed, pure beast mode, but while I hope I'm wrong, did it seem like Eddie was limping some when he came off the field, or was that just me? please be me! Go Pack!!
DrealynWilliams
August 13, 2016 at 11:55 am
I kind of peeped his limping too. I was hoping it was a "fatigued" type of walk/limp or whatever.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Limpin' is pimpin', yo.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 14, 2016 at 02:17 pm
That's his swag ya'll .........
holmesmd
August 13, 2016 at 07:21 am
Half of the players on the field limp during some point in the game. It's football!;) Eddie is fine
4thand1
August 13, 2016 at 09:04 am
Lacy averaged 6 yards a carry.
Bedrock
August 13, 2016 at 10:14 am
It was equally good to see the line perform adequately too. It's not just Lacy that needs to step up in the run game. Holes and push were there from the line to start with the Lacy of old there to make even more happen. Love it.
Ibleedgreenmore
August 13, 2016 at 10:41 am
A few guys were limping, lets hope the two others that are backing him up stay healthy.
WinUSA
August 13, 2016 at 10:44 am
Lacy looked great...the determination factor was obvious...go Pack
John Galt III
August 13, 2016 at 10:52 am
He made sharp cuts - never saw that last year - it was more hesitation than changing direction sharply last year - very, very different player.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 13, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Yes, he made sharper, more decisive, cuts last night. I would have liked to see a longer run to assess his burst, but so far things looked positive.
Bedrock
August 13, 2016 at 10:53 am
Off topic...Let the conspiracy theorists play with the Janis' hand fracture!
NickPerry
August 14, 2016 at 06:01 am
Out 4 to 6 weeks I heard.
Handsback
August 13, 2016 at 01:22 pm
Knowing that Callahan was the QB....run game /Lacy was pretty good.
Since'61
August 13, 2016 at 01:35 pm
Lacy looked good while he was out there. I thought that he ran very strong. However, he still looks like he could lose another 5-10 pounds. Now if he can run effectively when the games count it doesn't matter. For now it's good to see that his weight is down, he's running hard and bringing the right attitude to his game. Thanks, Since '61
Ferrari Driver
August 13, 2016 at 01:43 pm
Rather than only considering how important Lacy is to the Packers, it is very important to determine "how important football is to Lacy".
He doesn't seem like he eats, sleeps, and loves football. That concerns me when he is up for a contract. If he gets a fat one will the motivation be there to keep him from becoming a fat one again?
Thegreatreynoldo
August 13, 2016 at 06:01 pm
This^^^
Any contract offered to Lacy needs to be carefully structured.
While I thought Lacy looked good, I think it is premature to pronounce his current weight and/or conditioning appropriate or optimal. Just looking, 5 or 10 pounds less might be better. We didn't get a chance to see a burst or a long run after pounding away for a couple of quarters.
al bundy
August 13, 2016 at 03:24 pm
Lacy is what he is. I dont think he is a star you build your offence around aka Pedersen. He lacks break away speed. Mental mike still wants to pound the ball. Big problemo when you fall behind quickly and need to catch up. The passing game should set up the run game. With mike , its a run team that passes when it needs to. Dont need an A Rogers to do that.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2016 at 10:20 pm
It's comments like these (al b) that make me question the value of freedom of speech.
Iain
August 14, 2016 at 06:03 am
Are you on medication, Al?
Archie
August 13, 2016 at 07:47 pm
Yes, Eddie looks primed for a very big contract year. He and Starks are great complements. I was very impressed by Burks last night too. Running game seems to be fine hands.
Passing game yet to be determined. The potential is there. Cooks & Jordy should provide missing ingredients from last year. Need Adams, Abby, Davis or somebody or all three to play major complementary role.
Dat One stood out in pass rush. Lowry seemed solid at DE. Martinez let one get away but otherwise looked OK.
Bradford showed up for the first time. Hyde is a football player. He's like Woodson but with lesser size/athleticism.
OAK should be a better test TH night. They annihilated AZ.
dobber
August 14, 2016 at 07:42 am
Lowry showing that he belongs and can contribute right away (as much as you can tell from a first preseason game, anyway) is a win for this DL group.
Ibleedgreenmore
August 13, 2016 at 09:07 pm
Eddie looks good and so do several of the other backs. This is going to be fun during preseason.
lucky953
August 13, 2016 at 10:21 pm
I think the real "x factor" this year is the TE position group. If they really can pass out of 2 TE sets, that is going to be a major problem for opposing defenses.
Ibleedgreenmore
August 14, 2016 at 07:06 am
According to Rob Demosky Janis broke his hand and maybe out for and most likely will be on PUP well there goes one WR.
dobber
August 14, 2016 at 07:40 am
Injuries are never good, but as long as they have a decent gunner to play in his absence, Janis going to the PUP might not be such a bad thing with this WR group.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 14, 2016 at 08:30 am
Again, Janis is ineligible for the PUP list because he has practiced. He isn't eligible for the PS. The only choices are to put him on IR or to carry him on the 53.
Projected healing time is for 4-6 weeks, apparently. It is a few days over 4 weeks until our first regular season game, so carrying him on the 53 isn't as far fetched as it might seem. He could probably play as a gunner if he put a club on his hand for the season opener, but as a WR, it might take longer. BTW, I haven't thought about whether I believe he should be put on IR or carried on the 53. Since this hurts his WR development, we should see just how much GB values his STs.
Handsback
August 14, 2016 at 08:44 am
You make a few good points. As a ST guy, the club will work fine and the regular season game is that far away. The deal is if he makes the team strictly as a ST guy. I think his progress for this year goes on hold.
dobber
August 14, 2016 at 09:04 am
"Again, Janis is ineligible for the PUP list because he has practiced."
You're right. This is my goof and I'll own it.
NickPerry
August 14, 2016 at 10:21 am
He's eligible for the IR designated to return though correct. And now with the rule change this year the Packers wouldn't have to designate Janis as that player. Now he'd be eligible if he's the one the Packers wanted to use it on.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 14, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Sorry, a little harsh, Dobber. I was on another site where folks kept saying PUP. I conflated that site with this one. Keep posting - you're easily in the top 10% for interesting and knowledgeable comments.
Now teams just put as many guys as necessary on the IR, and later they can decide which one )but just one) they want to return to the 53.
dobber
August 14, 2016 at 03:12 pm
No problems. I was wrong. I can take it! :)
Ibleedgreenmore
August 14, 2016 at 09:29 am
Me too hey if we only could right.
Tundraboy
August 14, 2016 at 11:04 am
Idk but November and December are not the doldrums to me. Its the best part of season.
PETER MAIZ
August 14, 2016 at 01:23 pm
Lacy ran well and it could be the new coaching.