Eddie Lacy – ‘the Big Bang Theory’ – no longer banged up
By Davey Miller
has been on the practice field this week with permission to carry on 100 percent. It looks like he will be ready to give that much against the Detroit Lions come Sunday. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Eddie Lacy: The Big Bang Theory is back!
Lacy, the Green Bay Packers rookie running back , in the words of Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy is a “full go” heading into to this week’s NFC North showdown against the Detroit Lions (3-1) at Lambeau Field.
Yes, we all know about Green Bay’s (1-2) home winning streak against Detroit, but that will have no bearing on Sunday’s outcome. Reggie Bush, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Matthew Stafford and company against TEAM 93 will decide this one.
Detroit looked awfully good in last week’s road win against the Chicago Bears (3-1). A healthy Reggie Bush (18 carries, 139 yards, 1 touchdown) also caught four passes out of the backfield for an additional 34 yards. He brings an added element to a Lions’ offense they haven’t had since 2011 when Jahvid Best went down with an injury.
Bush showed amazing burst in the open field, and the Packers number one priority will be to stop the run.
On the flip-side, Lacy, at 5-11, 230 pounds, also adds a different dimension to the Packers’ offensive arsenal. He, too, is explosive in the open field, but he also brings a bruising style of play for which the Packers have been searching.
However, Lacy’s rookie season so far has been a roller coaster. It’s been punctuated by a forgettable first half against the 49ers on opening weekend, and then a steller second half, which included a rushing touchdown that put the Packers up with 8:26 to go in the game. Green Bay would eventually lose 34-28.
In week two, on his first carry of the game, after a 10-yard gain, he was hit squarely on the jaw by Washington Redskins defensive back Brandon Meriweather. James Starks (20 carries, 132 yards, 1 touchdown) came in to relieve Lacy and had a career rushing day in a Packers win.
Unable to go in week 3, another rookie running back, Johnathan Franklin, came in and relieved an injured Starks, and rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries, while scoring a touchdown. Franklin looks to be the Lightning to Lacy’s Thunder.
With Stafford (64.1 percent completion, 1,262 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 96.2 quarterback rating after 4 games), and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (66.4 percent completion, 1,057 passing yards, 8 toucdowns, 3 interceptions, 105.1 quarterback rating after 3 games), this game will be looked upon as a big game for some passing yards, and rightfully so.
Johnathan Franklin should get his share of touches Sunday. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Well, not so fast. Could this be a battle of the running backs? Could we be seeing a prelude of many games to come where it comes down to Bush vs. Lacy? What a treat that would be!
The Big Bang Theory (Lacy) no longer is banged up, so it very well could be the game within the game that could not only be the most entertaining, but certainly could be the difference. If Mike McCarthy is true to his word, Lacy will be starting this week. He often said during the preseason, “DuJan Harris would not lose his starting job because of injury.”
Let’s hope he stays the course and gives Lacy that same benefit of the doubt.
Franklin will get his touches, no doubt, after last week’s performance, but Lacy needs to be the workhorse. He was drafted for that role, and he’s certainly built for it.