The Seattle Seahawks got a much needed upgrade in their backfield today. The Seahawks have signed former Packers running back Eddie Lacy to a one year deal according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Seattle had one of the worst running attacks in the league last year, due to a bad offensive line and also no star power at the running back position. Lacy didn't play a lot last season as he battled his own injuries, but when he does play he is a load to handle. Seattle signed Lacey in hopes of brining back a physical running game that hasn't been there since Marshawn Lynch retired.
Lacy limited
Eddie Lacey was limited last season due to injuries. In the first five games of 2016, Lacy averaged 5.1 yards per carry and seemed like he was back to being the bruising back he was know for around the league. Then in week six, he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and he was placed on injured reserve. In 2015 he came into the season overweight, which resulted in him rushing for under 1,000 yards that season.
In his first two years, Lacy was a star running back, having rushed for 1,100+ yards in his first two seasons. He was also the NFC Offensive Player of the Year. Lacy's deal with Seattle is a one-year deal worth $5 million, $3 million of that being guaranteed. This gives Lacy a chance to prove to other teams that he can be the same back he was his first two years in the NFL.
Hopefully he can come back better, but hopefully not bigger.
Needed piece
The Seahawks need to find a running back, as their run game was one of the worst in the league. They averaged 3.83 yards per carry in the league which was ranked 24th in the NFL. The Seahawks have a backfield of Thomas Rawls and C.J Prosise, but Rawls battled injuries and Prosise is more of a third-down option.
Lacy will probably get most of the carries, but Pete Carroll like the running back by committee system . Seattle will benefit from a running game, giving Russell Wilson a little less of the burden, as he was banged up last year.
Lacy was listed at 235 lbs. last season but Pete Carrol doesn't seem to have an issue with that, saying on Tuesday "He's a big back.
He's a big guy. Ain't nothing wrong with that." I want him big. I want him big and tough and strong. But I want him in the best shape so that he can run at his best and be durable and handle the load. ... So we have a real target for him. We'll be on it on a regular basis and we'll keep him in great shape." (ESPN). Carroll misses the days of Beast Mode, as he wants a big back who can handle a season's worth of touches, but still be effective.
Signing Lacy was a huge move for the Seahawks this offseason. They needed to improve their running game, and getting a bruiser in Lacy is the right move. They have to make sure he is in the best shape, as weight has been a burden for him throughout his career.
He may find a new beginning in Seattle, and hopefully he can make the best of it.
Blessed for another opportunity to play the game that I love. Thank you @Seahawks #GodIsGood #GoHawks https://t.co/ZQoNsaGnCo
— Eddie Lacy (@Lil_Eazy_Ana_42) March 14, 2017