The Green Bay Packers can breathe a huge sigh of relief following Eddie Lacy’s return to action following his ankle injury. The running back sustained a similar problem to the one that bothered him throughout his rookie season in Green Bay during the first quarter of the Packers 27-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Despite sitting out a couple of training sessions with the injury, Lacy was able to rejoin his team-mates for the 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs – a victory that extended the franchise’s perfect start to the season in the schedule. But another issue with his ankle will have given the Packers management some headaches and concern regarding his ability to play every game this year.
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The importance of Lacy
While the 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year wasn’t anywhere near his best against the Chiefs, making just 10 carries for 46 yards, the fact the 25-year-old was able to play has come as a massive boost to a Packers team that have often relied on Lacy from an attacking point of view. Mindful of the running back’s injury, Green Bay brought in James Starks and rookie Alonzo Harris in order to give their star man the support he needed, with both players sharing the responsibility and ensuring Lacy didn’t have to carry the entire offensive load while clearly not at 100%.
Ever since being selected 61st overall in the 2013 Draft, Lacy has been a crucial member of the Packers team. After starting 15 games in his first season in Green Bay, the former Alabama star earned himself a call-up to the Pro Bowl having scored 11 touchdowns and rushing for 1,178 yards in his rookie year, becoming the first Packers player to earn the Offensive Rookie of the Year award since John Brockington back in 1971.
Lacy enjoyed similar success in 2014, replicating another of Brockington’s achievements by rushing for over 1,000 yards in his second successive season, only the second player in the franchise’s history to have achieved that feat. One of American Football’s most exciting running backs, Lacy adds a reliable and dangerous option to this already very intimidating Green Bay offense.
Not all good news
But while there has been good news for the Packers in terms Lacy’s injury, the Green Bay offense has been hit with the ongoing ankle problem that has been bothering Davante Adams over the past few weeks. Having initially suffered an ankle sprain during the Seahawks, the wide receiver only lasted three plays against the Chiefs before being forced from the field as the injury flared up again, and there is a fear that the 22-year-old could be sidelined for some time. The youngster made a real impact in his first season with the Packers, racking up 18 appearances and making a name for himself as the franchise’s third receiver. As you can see below, it’s a big loss to see Adams sidelined this season.
Rodgers continues to show his winning hand
While it’s obvious that Rodgers is one of the most popular members of this Green Bay team, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 31-year old isn’t often invited to poker nights at some of his fellow Packers’ houses. You better have an impeccable all round game to outsmart the quarterback with such a stacked offense ahead of him. Similar to poker, being an NFL great requires many of the same skills. At the start of a play, Rodgers makes a call, the defense then makes a call, and the Green Bay leader has to then make another call in order to counter the opposition, often bluffing with his first call and then making a snap decision to throw a defense off.
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As well as his obvious talents, Rodgers is the best in the business when it comes to his decision making. In the same way it’s important you know your hand rankings when playing poker, the Packers quarterback’s vast playbook knowledge means he knows just when he is beat with a straight flush. Whether it’s smuggling the ball to Lacy, sending a long one to Randall Cobb or going on a run himself, Rodgers is confident about what is going to happen when he finally does reveal his hand.
You don’t have to be a high-level quarterback to know when you’re watching a good one, and even if the closest you come to playing sport on a regular basis is a few rounds of Texas Hold’em with your pals, witnessing Rodgers over the past few years, it’s clear to everyone he’s playing some of the best ball of his career, possibly even well enough to compete for the MVP again this year. Similar to how poker pros like Daniel Negreanu, Chris Moneymaker and Phil Ivey have gained so much experience they know just what move to make when it comes to the some of the biggest poker events, Rodgers’ knowledge of the game has helped lead this Green Bay team into the latter stages of the postseason year after year.
Alternative options for Green Bay
While Lacy’s ankle is holding up at the moment, the Packers will be aware that having sufficient back-up could prove to be a factor. Starks was given a number of opportunities last season to prove he has what it takes to make an impact, making 16 appearances and rushing a modest 333 yards with two touchdowns. The 29-year old might be a solid option for Green Bay if the situation requires it, but Rodgers won’t feel anywhere near as confident handing the ball to Starks as he is Lacy – a player who could be one of the most important players this season.
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Undrafted free agent Alonzo Harris did enough in preseason to earn himself a contract, and the rookie made two plays in the Kansas City win on his NFL debut. He might of only gained 17 yards during his brief time on the field, but there were signs that the youngster could have a role to play this year should Lacy’s ankle flare up again. The former UL Lafayette star slipped under the radar somewhat during the Draft but might end up surprising a few people this season.
In terms of Adams’ potential absence, rookie Ty Montgomery has made the most of his time in the action since the start of the season, making an instant impression on his quarterback and his head coach. Having been selected 94th overall in this year’s Draft, the wide receiver has wasted little time in announcing himself to Packers fans, ranking among the league leaders with an average of over 30 yards for kickoff returns, and proving he is ready for the big time.
The 22-year-old has shown he can handle a dual role, scoring his first touchdown in the NFL during the first half of the 38-28 victory over the Chiefs, and Adams’ injury could now be the chance Montgomery needs to really cement himself as member of this offense.