Former Packers RB Eddie Lacy knows that his NFL career will come to a finish if he doesn’t get his weight under control and return to the level of play that earned him the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
During the offseason — after signing with the Seattle Seahawks — Lacy checked in at 267 pounds. To protect themselves, the Seahawks decided to put in a weight target clause that forces Lacy to hit certain weights in order for him to get different bonuses.
“Lacy must get to 250 pounds in June, stay at 250 pounds in August, and then reach and remain at 245 pounds in September, October, November and December,” Field Yates from ESPN said a couple of weeks ago.
So far, the former Tide star is doing quite well — sitting at 253 pounds and declining by the day. Both head coach Pete Carroll and Seahawks fans can only sit back and hope that Lacy can continue on his current path.
Carroll has been known as a person who give guys second and third chance to “get it right”. He’s also been a coach who has shown the ability to develop certain undrafted players into superstars due to other coaches not being able to properly identify the talent.
We all know that Lacy wasn’t a guy to go unnoticed during the draft process, but he needed someone who’d be stern on him. A brutally honest mentor who could teach him about responsibility and learning how to push himself to be the best at everything he does.
Lacy did well at Alabama because he always had his strength & conditioning coach — as well as Nick Saban — to push him to perform at higher levels on the field. This accountability always helped Lacy watch his diet so he wouldn’t slip. Now that he’s in the NFL, being independent could be a factor as to why Lacy gained so much weight.
Ever since winning Offensive Rookie of the Year four years ago, Lacy’s production has steadily decreased each year that he has been in the NFL. In 2014, he rushed for 1,139 yards. Then in 2015, Lacy only managed to gain 758 yards. In 2016, it only got worse — he only managed 360 rushing yards due to injury.
As of right now, Thomas Rawls is the projected starter at running back for the Seahawks. There is also pass-catching specialist C.J. Prosise on the roster who is also recovering from an injury.
Given the contract that the Seahawks handed over to Lacy, it’s likely that he will be given every opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation — if he is able to show Carroll that he can keep his weight under control.
Even though the original “Beast Mode” — Marshawn Lynch — has left to join Oakland Raiders, Lacy has a chance to be the second-coming of “Beast Mode” in Seattle.
Carroll is definitely looking forward to the 2017 season and is certainly glad to have the former Tide star on the roster.
He’s a big back in classic fashion. He’s an exciting guy to add to the mix,” Carroll said when asked about Lacy earlier this month.
Michael Cannady is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter at: @mike_can21
