Cory's Corner: What is Eddie Lacy's motivation?

Thanks to Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will never be thought of as a run-first team.

However, last year proved just how much the running game was missing from the Packers’ offensive diet.

Eddie Lacy had his worst season as a pro by running for 381 rushing yards and six touchdowns less than his worst season. And a large portion of that was due to Lacy’s motivations. He put on at least 15 pounds, which made him appear to be running uphill whenever he got the ball.

Lacy has worked out with P90X founder Tony Horton already this past offseason and recently he began working out with him again. That’s great that he’s taking steps to be better football player.

The question is, why? Is Lacy trying to slim down because he’s in a contract year and he stands to make plenty of money if he is one of the 10 best running backs in the league? Or does he actually love the game of football?

That’s a question that NFL general managers are going to be wrestling with if Lacy rushes for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Because a team won’t give Lacy a four-year contract if he’s going to have motivational issues in the second year.

And that’s where I see Packers general manager Ted Thompson. Even if Lacy has a career year and surprises everyone, it’s doubtful that Thompson pays him. Because Thompson has seen it firsthand. Thompson saw how Lacy was listed as a healthy scratch vs. Detroit and he saw how Lacy ran out of gas on a 61-yard run that very well should have been a touchdown.

This is one of the toughest things about being a pro. How do you keep that fire in your belly when the cars and house are already paid for? A guy like Rodgers continues to look at being slighted in the NFL Draft when he fell to No. 24, but Lacy is a guy that just seems content.

“I’m not going to get into guy's weights,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in October. “I mean, I’ve never been asked a question about a guy’s weight. But I think players do get bigger in their career. But he’s bigger than he was as a rookie.”

Then McCarthy said this after the NFC Divisional Playoff loss at Arizona: “He’s got a lot of work to do. His offseason last year was not good enough and he never recovered from it. He cannot play at the weight he played at this year.”

It obviously was a problem and it was noticed by the entire organization. The team can provide nutritionists, trainers and psychologists but it’s up to the individual to utilize them.

Lacy probably could be used as a heavier running back, but his style doesn’t fit very well because he likes to use spin moves and loves to bounce outside. Those things require plenty of zip and if he doesn’t have it, a spin move is going to look like a dump truck making a Y-turn.

The heart and soul of the offense is still Rodgers, but Lacy is the X-factor. If he is running well, he gets attention from the secondary, which will soften things up for Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.

But does he want that or is he content?

 

 

 

 

 

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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)

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Bearmeat's picture

July 23, 2016 at 06:57 am

Great question Corey. I have to think that if Lacy goes off this year (which IMO is the smart bet), then TT will give him a big contract with little guaranteed money. Instead the money would be tied up to good body composition and annual workout/performance escalators.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:23 am

Bingo, Bearmeat! I don't care what the AAV is; I care how much guaranteed money there is -- and -- when the guaranteed money comes off the cap or dead money. So, signing bonus money is bad, roster bonuses are good. Lacy is unlikely to garner more than a 5th round comp. pick ($6.5M to $6.8M AAV seems to be the dividing point btw getting a 4th versus a 5th rd comp pick - see overthecap link below).

Also, motivation is one concern, but physically being able to handle the pounding (in a concussion era) is another concern. Brockington was "done" as the primary RB by his 5th or 6th year. We're entering Lacy's 4th year. Here are Brockington's stats:

YR 1: 216 carries, 1105 yds, 5.1 ave, 14 recs, 98 yds, 7.0 ave
YR 2: 274 carries, 1027 yds, 3.7 ave 19 recs, 243 yds, 12.8 ave
YR 3: 265 carries, 1144 yds, 4.3 ave, 16 recs, 128 yds, 8.0 ave
YR 4: 266 carries, 883 yds, 3.3 ave, 43 recs, 314 yds , 7.3 ave
YR 5: 134 carries, 444 yds, 3.0 ave, 33 recs, 242 yds, 7.2 ave
YR 6: 117 carries, 406 yds, 3.5 ave, 11 recs, 49 yds, 4.5 ave
YR 7: 65 carries, 186 yds, 2.9 ave, 21 recs, 223 yds, 10.6 ave

Played all 14 games YRS 1 -6; YR 7, played 11 games, started 7.

http://overthecap.com/compensatory-draft-picks-cancellation-chart/

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guzzi2000's picture

July 23, 2016 at 02:17 pm

Hopefully we don't have to go through another Brockington era. I had
almost erased those memories from my mind, it was painful to watch.

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NickPerry's picture

July 23, 2016 at 06:58 pm

Interesting TRG...Why Brockington though? I mean talk about a difference in era's. You're talking about a guy who was a rookie 45 years ago, D-Linemen were 260 pounds, LB'ers were 220, I just don't understand why Brockington. I always enjoy your comments so I'm having problems wrapping my hear around the reference.
Look at Ahman Greens Stats. Both started playing when they were 23. Green came into the NFL at 21 but sat his first 2 years in Seattle and Green Bay nabbed him before year 3. Green had around 100 more carries than Eddie did his first 3 seasons in GB and he had 182 receptions in those seasons, Lacy had 97 receptions .

I understand Lacy and Green are different backs. But Green was 6' 0" 217 pounds and Lacy is 5' 11" 231 pounds (cough cough). For what it's worth Green had arguably the best season a Packers RB ever had his 4th season. Be sweet as hell if Lacy followed suit.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 24, 2016 at 02:56 am

I think Lacy will have a fine season in 2016, his 4th year. Sorry, my post isn't about 2016, it's about his motivation and whether we should re-sign Lacy. I was trying to make the point that most big, power backs who are the primary rusher have about 5 or 6 "good" seasons. I don't want to sign him to any contract where he can't be cut after his 6th season. Brockington at 225 lbs., qualifies as a big back, given his era, so I used him as an example. He had 4 good yrs. Other GB examples:

MacArthur Lane at 220 Lbs was a big back in his era, but he only had one season with 200+ carries, indeed he had only 6 seasons with over 137 carries for the year, and 5 other seasons where he averaged 41 carries per year. Example 2 of GB big backs who last about 5 or 6 "good" yrs (he was a good receiver even in his lesser years) but I wouldn't say he was the primary rushing threat like Lacy is.

Dorsey Levens, at 6'1" and 230 lbs., was a big back with power and speed. In his 4 best seasons, he had 844 carries (222 per year). In his other 7 seasons, he averaged 57 carries per year. Example 3 of getting 4 "good" seasons out of a big, heavily used, running back.

I didn't think Ahman Green fit my parameters at 217 lbs, but he wasn't small. He was fast and powerful, (and a fine receiver), so let's look at him. In 6 seasons, he had 1733 carries (288 rushes per yr). In his other 6 seasons, he had 323 carries, or just 54 per yr. After rushing 266 times in 2006 (4.0 ave) and 46 recs for GB in 2006, he signed a 4 yr/$23.7M contract with Houston, where he was re-united with Mike Sherman, the master of the terrible personnel decision. Green averaged 72 carries for two seasons, and was cut. He did beat out Samkon Gado. Another example of a back lasting about 6 seasons, and he was a great one.

There are exceptions: Franco Harris, 6'2", 230 lbs.; Jerome Bettis, 5'11", 252 lbs, Lynch all ground out yardage for 9 to 12 good years.

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NickPerry's picture

July 24, 2016 at 06:08 am

Thanks TGR... I figured it was about size because Brockington was a big back, I checked and saw he was 225. I also just checked the "All Time Leaders" in rushing in NFL history and I found several examples that back up your point.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career.htm

There are exceptions but you're right on the money. Interesting point also is when they hit the magic number "30" as in 30 years old. You check that link and just about everyone falls off a cliff at 30 and there's usually little warning. Might be an injury that limits them, might be the years of smashing into a pile, but 30 is really the magic number.

There's a guy wearing purple who's 31, trust and believe he's falling off a cliff this year or next. I saw many of the backs at 30 or 31 were injured in those years, didn't play every game. I don't care who you are, you can only run into a pile for so long before your body says no more.

Lacy just turned 26 so it backs up exactly what yourself, Bearmeat and others have said, Lacys deal would have to have lots of incentives and clauses. It's also strictly about the guaranteed money which would be paid in the first 2 years I'd imagine. With his running style he may only have 2 or 3 years left.

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Tundraboy's picture

July 24, 2016 at 08:18 am

5th round pick seems a bit harsh.

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chuckv's picture

July 24, 2016 at 08:04 am

I can not imagine a contract that is not tied to Eddie's keeping in great shape ... I do think he enjoys the game and the team I will not be surprised at all if he has a great season and many to follow .. I can see him developing into a team leader .. he is still a young man .. he got fatter and he addressed it give him credit .. he is a talent . and seems to be a nice person on top of it all and that is a great packer !

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 23, 2016 at 07:18 am

"A dump truck making a Y-turn"...ha!
If he has a good year this year, somebody will pay him. All it takes is one team. GB already has a feel for what kind of guy he is, and again they'll get to see him firsthand all year. Other teams will only rely on reports. I trust GB to make the right call with 27.

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NickPerry's picture

July 23, 2016 at 07:38 am

I like that Lacy went back to work with Horton just before TC, that's a good thing for the 2016 Packers. I've always thought if Lacy would have done what Le'Veon Bell had done after his rookie season (Lose about 10 to 15 pounds) he could have been a much more effective back, just like Bell became more effective. Lacy's weight at the Combine was 231, his weight on Packers.com is 234, I don't believe he was ever under 240, even as a rookie.

If Lacy played at about 225 or 230 that's still a hell of a load, one that could wear down a defense in the 4th quarter. Lacy is only 5'11", 241 is a lot of weight for someone his size to carry around, especially at the RB position.

Whatever shape Lacy reports to camp will be one way to see how serious he is, how he takes care of himself over the season is another. Last year Eddie seemed to get heavier with each passing week and by the time the playoffs rolled around he looked like he was going to die on that 60 yard run.

At the end of the day, as sad as it might be I don't see Lacy in GB after this season. Thompson is to careful spending his money and I can't see him dishing out $6 Million or more per year, especially when you consider how long it took him to get a decent back in the first place.

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Spock's picture

July 24, 2016 at 08:58 am

Nick Perry,
I agree with your point on Le'Veon Bell. Hopefully, Lacy doesn't follow Le'Veon's lead THIS year as I believe I just read somewhere that Bell is suspended for something like four games for performance enhancers! I do think Lacy's love of PLAYING will make him do more to stay with the team (fingers crossed) after learning his lesson last year.

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Spock's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:02 am

Correction: Bell is facing suspension for a "missed" drug test.

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PETER MAIZ's picture

July 23, 2016 at 08:25 am

It's hard deciphering Lacy. At his position, it takes a very strict regimen to be in top shape. So will he give the all out effort to be in great shape? If he doesn't deliver, TT won't keep him. Having said that, Lacy is very talented. He's got to focus big time.

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EdsLaces's picture

July 23, 2016 at 11:20 am

Not sure he loves the game. Obviously the p90 is a good sign that he's committed,but I'm still not sure....

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:46 am

Not Sure that restarting P90X is a great sign. The fact that he's restarting means he stopped. Now it sounds like he's cramming for a final. We all know that doesn't work. It (fitness and eating right) needs to become part of who he is, not something he does on and off.

I'll take it because it means he'll be much improved this year but I'm not so sure it bodes well for the future.

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EdsLaces's picture

July 23, 2016 at 11:21 am

McCaffrey 2017!!!

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stockholder's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:57 am

I hope Lacy tears up the Nfl. But he's to problematic. Anything he does is a bonus. TT is not going to overpay him. Comp pick coming. The money will go to perry and Jones. Bank on it. This year is a make , or break, for a lot of players. Especially for the offense.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 23, 2016 at 11:45 am

If Lacy preforms like years 1 and 2 I am expecting something similar to Lamar Miller's contract. 4 years 25 million. Probably before the beginning of 2016 free agency.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/lamar-miller/

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 23, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Miller's contract is essentially a 2 yr, $14M contract. Dead money is $14M year one, $8.5M year 2, and $2M dead year 3. It has de-escalators for failure to complete workouts. I don't know Miller's play that well: he had 47 recs on 57 targets (82.4%) with just one drop (1.8%) and a decent 8.4 yd average, so he apparently is a nice receiver. He ran a 4.40 and a 1.53 10 yard dash at the combine at 5'10.5" and 212 pounds, though he is now listed at 225 lbs, so it appears he has some breakaway speed. He averaged 4.5 and 5.0 yards/carry the last two years. I don't know what his blocking is like.

Miller's contract might be a pretty good comparable. Of course, it depends a lot on how Lacy does this year. I'd like to see a weight clause and some de-escalators or pay back clauses, but this seems reasonable to me. Mind, the RB draft class in 2017 is supposed to be quite good, but that isn't probably ideal since a good % of rookies aren't good receivers and even more can't block. Lacy is a 3 down type of back.

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Rossonero's picture

July 23, 2016 at 12:36 pm

Lacy's motivation is to provide for his family. He lost everything in hurricane Katrina. Now is his chance to cash in. If he can't use that as motivation in a contract year, then his career won't last long.

Nick Saban runs a very tight ship at Alabama. Perhaps like Trent Richardson, he got lazy after being out of that environment. Either way, Lacy knows what's at stake. Only time will tell.

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Since'61's picture

July 23, 2016 at 12:59 pm

MM needs to establish a playing weight for Lacy and have him agree to it. If he is over the playing weight at any point in the season he doesn't play until he is back under the playing weight. This should be clear and easy for both sides to understand. If Lacy is interested in playing football and cashing in he will stay under his agreed upon playing weight. If he goes over he doesn't play and he doesn't cash in on his potential big pay day. Lacy is accountable to himself and his teammates. If he doesn't agree on that sit him down and play someone who wants to play and win. Problem solved. Thanks, Since '61

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Point-Packer's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:51 pm

Ok, LONGSHANKS....good idea....not

Thanks, Point packer

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Since'61's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:45 am

Ok, if you don't think that establishing a playing weight for Lacy is the right approach how would handle Lacy if his weight goes up again and he is ineffective as an RB? Would you let him continue to play and hurt the team as he did last season? And BTW, expecting a player to maintain an acceptable playing weight is not unusual in the NFL and is a long way from the murderous tyranny which Edward "Longshanks" inflicted during his reign. Perhaps you misunderstand the difference between establishing parameters for players and indiscriminate slaughter. Try to read a little history and then come back. But thanks for playing. Since '61

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Point-Packer's picture

July 23, 2016 at 02:12 pm

Fat Ed ain't coming back. Some GM will overpay, but it won't be Ted.

Eddies motivation? Culvers Butterburgers and beating his bros at Call of Duty.

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4thand1's picture

July 23, 2016 at 04:17 pm

I wouldn't want to be a RB in today's NFL.

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Point-Packer's picture

July 23, 2016 at 05:13 pm

Hence the focus on cheeseburgers and PlayStation.

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lucky953's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:24 pm

Very likable young man from what I've seen. IMO, he'll have 1200 -1400 combined yds. and get overpaid next year by someone else. I think his weight issues will always dog him and he'll retire early with a comfortable bank account and his brain still intact. From a RB perspective, maybe you're better off getting out of the game early. I think that's where Ed is headed.

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Point-Packer's picture

July 23, 2016 at 10:50 pm

Someone should dangle a Culvers Butterburger at the opponents endzone next season and promise that if he makes three TDs he can spend all Monday playing PlayStation with his buddies.

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marpag1's picture

July 24, 2016 at 06:04 am

Yeah, but Butterburgers and PlayStation are still better goals in life than being a complete dickhead on internet message boards.

Just because you have one doesn't mean you need to be one.

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ray nichkee's picture

July 24, 2016 at 08:36 am

Well put marpag.

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Since'61's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:47 am

Marpag - excellently stated as usual. Thanks, Since '61

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Since'61's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:52 am

And you referred to me as "Longshanks" for suggesting that Lacy maintain a playing weight. Yes, your solution of dangling burgers is a much better approach because hurling senseless insults is the way to go. Consider Pointless Packer as a more appropriate icon name. Thanks, Since '61

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Hematite's picture

July 24, 2016 at 05:45 am

After watching Larry McCarren interview Lacy on "Packers Live" during Lacy's rookie year, I got the impression that Lacy didn't really love the game and didn't plan on being around long.
Last year reinforced that impression.
I don't think the Packers should extend Lacy a second contract and I don't believe Thompson will do that.

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dobber's picture

July 24, 2016 at 10:26 am

I've long been a proponent of the increased incentivization (if that's a word) of contracts. Players, of course, want guaranteed money, but if the incentives are tied to workouts, health, and weight, those are all but guaranteed if you have the desire to earn the $$. If Lacy comes back to GB, that's what needs to happen...and there's nothing wrong with it. RB of his type have a very short shelf life, though, and two more years is about all I would expect in terms of productivity. Others have defied those kinds of odds, but I wouldn't hang much more than that on him if I were TT.

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4thand1's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:22 am

One more concussion and Lacy may just call it quits. He's had a couple of bad ones already, and with all the evidence of all the players suffering after football, I wouldn't blame him. He's the type of back that's expected to put his head down and fight for a few extra yards. Is a few extra yards worth it for brain damage after football? This will most likely be his last year, hopefully he helps us win it all and then rides off into the sunset healthy.

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