If Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy demoted Eddie Lacy to the No. 2 running back on the depth chart to light a fire under his ass, it probably isn’t working.
Lacy was his usual laid-back self on Wednesday when asked about McCarthy’s proclamation that James Starks is now the Packers’ No. 1 running back.
In fact, he agreed with the move.
“As a team, we’re pretty much doing what’s needed,” Lacy said. “Going with what’s necessary at this time. This season, he’s definitely been the better player between the both of us.”
What? No HULK SMASH!?
Of course not. Lacy isn’t really that kind of guy, despite his punishing running style.
Meanwhile, everyone wants to know what’s wrong with Eddie Lacy. Well, we’ve said it numerous times. It’s hard for any back to get going when there’s no commitment to the run by his play caller.
The fact of the matter is, both Lacy and Starks have had their opportunities to run the ball limited. It just so happens that Starks has made more of those limited opportunities than Lacy.
I hope not, but Eddie is looking more and more like LenDale White all the time.
Lets hope not! I’m curious to see if they keep him fresh until the end of the season. Once it gets cold it’s going to be Eddie trucking motherfuckers!!!
He’s the sleeping giant. He’s gonna run wild on someone I just hope it’s soon.
Lacy is a north south between the tackles runner. Problem is that our OL collapses backwards on runs so there is no room to go anywhere for him. Starks does better because he tends to bounce outside where there is actually space to run. The bad blocking is product of poor Oline play as well as poor play calling. Rodgers needs to change the play if the whole defense is lined up within 5 yards of scrimmage.
While I am certain there are many contributing factors, I am convinced that when a guy allegedly puts on close to 30 pounds, his speed and movement will suffer for this. Add a case of poor O line blocking, hurt ankles and groin (perhaps from carrying extra weight) and that has to be a real mountain to climb. If not physically, then mentally . . . When you become a “pumpkin with stumps” it makes running away from world class athletes’ much tougher I would say. It would be great to have him back to where he was a year ago! Not likely at this point, and that is a bummer for all of us . . .
Eddie Lacy stepped away from the pu pu platter just long enough to mutter out an agreement.
Our Oline is EXTREMELY overrated and its showing. Starks has the ability to change gaps when his assigned gap is plugged up, or as stated above, get outside the mesh up. Lacy needs room to get going the first 2 to 3 yards. He can cut pretty good when he has his steam up, but until then he is fairly ordinary. Until our line improves (if it does), and until a commitment is actually made to run, Lacy isnt going to get on the field much.
Winter weather should help, hope for early snowfall this year.
Bulaga is not very good run blocking. I just wish that they give Barclay more PT to see if we can get a spark in run game.
I wish the Packers would commit to the run for all the folks out there that have been fantasizing about just that. First you’d have to define what “committing to the run” means. Is it 35 carries a game? Is it 30 carries a game? Is it 25 carries a game? I would opine that the Packers committed to the run last week. The Pack was down 3 scores in the 4th quarter and yet ran on first and second down near midfield for two yards. To fully commit should they have run on 3rd and 8? For the love of common sense the Packers are run challenged and they have been for many years. What do you all think will happen if Starks and Lacy carried for 35 times in a game behind the OL? The Packers can’t commit to a run on 3rd and a half yard most days. The Pack are almost only successful running when the opposing team believes they’re going to pass. When the Pack is showing run in a run situation they are pathetic.
This whole “commit to the run” argument is stupid. When you’re losing yardage on several drives in a row because of the lack of a run game, and your starting running back is dropping balls every week, not to mention you’re down more than a touchdown, it is NOT time to keep trying to establish the run. It’s time to rely on one of the best QBs in the league to get it done. The “definition of insanity” argument might apply here.
^These guys get it.
Teams have been lining up 8 guys in the box against the Packers, unafraid that any of our receivers can get open long. That’s tough to run against if you aren’t a good cutback runner like Starks.
You guys are nailing the GB problems….as is the rest of the league…
Gonna be a long second half season…
I’m done I can’t watch this team anymore. We lose to the Vikings I’m never watching football again.