2016 NFL Training Camp Profile: Green Bay Packers RB Eddie Lacy

Eddie Lacy is heading into 2016 NFL training camp looking to prove that he is still a legitimate starting running back for the Green Bay Packers. After the weight issues that he struggled with last season, there are serious concerns about whether he can handle a big role within the offense. He did attack his offseason workouts, training with P90X creator Tony Horton.

Green Bay’s offense was disappointing to say the least last season, and Lacy’s struggles had a lot to do with it. Injuries also played a key role, but the Packers’ offense will never be playing to its full potential without Lacy playing at a high level.

What can the Packers’ fan base and coaching staff expect to see from Lacy when training camp and preseason action begins?

Last season with the Packers, Lacy ended up carrying the football 187 times for 758 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Those numbers aren’t terrible, but they aren’t close to what the Packers had come to know and love about Lacy in his first two seasons. He had been a 1,000-yard rusher in both of his first two seasons and had totaled 20 touchdowns combined. Mike McCarthy has always liked pounding the football on the ground, but he simply wasn’t able to do it as much last season.

Aaron Rodgers had much more on his shoulders as well due to Lacy’s struggles. Defenses were able to focus more on stopping the pass without a legitimate threat on the ground. Rodgers is quite possibly going to be the player that benefits the most if Lacy is able to come back and be the star that he was in his first two seasons.

At just 26 years old, there is still plenty of time for Lacy to become one of the NFL’s top running backs. Perhaps he will use the struggles of last season as a lesson that will propel him further in the future than he would have gone without it.

Lacy will come into training camp with a chip on his shoulder and will prove that he is still the answer for Green Bay at the running back position. A lot of pressure will be on him, but he is ready for the added expectations. McCarthy and the Packers’ coaching staff have remained confident in Lacy and his teammates believe in him as well.

Playing in the same backfield as Rodgers certainly makes life easier for Lacy. If he can get some of his explosiveness back, he will be able to hit the open holes left by defenses trying to drop back into coverage to stop Rodgers.

James Starks was re-signed this offseason to help push Lacy. Green Bay split playing time between Lacy and Starks a lot last season, and there is a good chance that McCarthy will continue giving both backs time this year. That being said, Lacy is five times the running back Starks is when he’s in good shape.

Despite all of the criticism that has been placed on Lacy’s shoulders, fans should be confident that he will come in prepared to play a huge role this season.

Expect to hear plenty of positive reports about Lacy coming out of Packers’ training camp. He knows that the Packers will not hesitate to cut ties with him if he isn’t able to drop weight and get back to the level of play that he showed early in his career.

Do you think Eddie Lacy will get back to being a dominant starting running back for the Green Bay Packers this season? What are you expecting from him in 2016 NFL training camp? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by Matt Ludtke/AP Images]