Green Bay Packers: Midseason ‘Silver Linings’

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy breaks a tackle by Minnesota Vikings safety Robert Blanton for a first down in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Eddie Lacy (Getting Involved in the Passing Game)

Eddie has had a slow start at running back. Maybe his confidence level has something to do with it – though we have seen improvements in the past few weeks.

The offensive line has been unable to consistently spring him open and that has put a hold on the amount of carries that Lacy has seen coming out of the backfield.

However, the Packers recognize (as do the fans) what a threat Lacy is in open space. They have been trying to get him involved creatively in the passing game, utilizing him as a check down when Rodgers senses trouble … and it has been working, and working well.

Lacy has been demolishing defenses when he reaches the second level and imposing his will on would-be open field tacklers. No one wants a piece of that 230-pound frame running with a full head of steam and the Packers are finding ways to get the ball in his hands.

Though mostly offensive, the silver linings mentioned above have been good enough to earn the Packers a 5-3 record.

While losses to Seattle, Detroit and New Orleans have stagnated the mood of Packers Nation, there is a lot to look forward to in the second half of the 2014 season if everything continues clicking in these ways.

The Packers just need to find a way to pull some things off of the negatives list and turn them into a whole new set of silver linings.