quote:Originally posted by GreenBayLA:
How many times has TT gambled on a guy whose stock fell due to injury issues?
How many times has it worked out? I can't think of any.
How many times has it worked out? I can't think of any.
How many times has it worked out? I can't think of any.
quote:Originally posted by The Grinder:quote:Originally posted by titmfatied:I'll make a case for it. He's scheduled to make 2.25 million this year (final year of his contract) and they just handed out two big chunks of salary cap. He costs nothing to cut, turned thirty, and isn't all that great of a blocker. There's a good deal of value in releasing him and not all that much to justify paying him that much for one season.quote:Originally posted by GBFanForLife:
Kuhn ain't going anywhere.
Is Lacy that good of a blocker? I know he is big and all that but can he block any better than Kuhn? We might need Kuhn to lead the way for Lacy.
According to the experts, Lacy is good at protecting the QB. Plus, Lacy is an actual threat in the running game. Play action with Lacy would definitely be better with Lacy in the backfield.
quote:At 5-11, 230, Lacy was immensely productive at Alabama, averaging an eye-popping 6.77 yards per carry for his career in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference (355 carries, 2,402 yards). That set an all-time SEC record for backs with at least 350 carries, surpassing the mark of 6.62 set by Auburn’s Bo Jackson back in the early 1980s.
Playing behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson in earlier years, Lacy got one season as the Crimson Tide’s feature runner, in 2012. He averaged 6.48 yards per carry (204 rushes, 1,322 yards, 17 TDs) to set a school record and tie for second in SEC history for a single season with a minimum of 200 carries. Georgia’s Garrison Hearst averaged 6.79 yards in 1992. packers.com
quote:The Packers could add a new layer to their offense if they use Lacy the way Alabama did. Almost two-thirds of his rushing attempts went between the tackles, and he averaged 7.6 yards per carry on those plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
There are those who might attribute an inordinate amount of Lacy's success to Alabama's dominant offensive line, one that included a pair of 2013 first-round draft picks, guard Chance Warmack and tackle D.J. Fluker. Indeed, Lacy averaged 4.2 yards before contact last season and made it at least five yards past the line of scrimmage before being touched on nearly 36 percent of his rushes.
But as the chart shows, Lacy was more productive on those inside runs than former Alabama tailback Trent Richardson was in the same situation during the 2011 season. Richardson, of course, went No. 3 overall to the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 draft. -ESPN
quote:Originally posted by Boston Jim:quote:Originally posted by GreenBayLA:
How many times has TT gambled on a guy whose stock fell due to injury issues?
How many times has it worked out? I can't think of any.
Charles Woodson.
Lacey's injuries are common--if you play like he does, you have these injuries. They are not chronic. They do not forecast greater future injuries. Of course He is an RB and will get get injured again. That's how it is, but the fact that he has rebounded from them is a very good sign. The guy is the best back in the draft and truly outstanding. He fit's the current system and backfield group perfectly. The fact that TT got him and a 6th rounder----(cuz in a sport where everyone gets injured you need depth) and the fact that McGinn hates it-- makes this a spectacular pick----Hoo--Fn---Ray!!!
quote:Originally posted by Hungry5:
Love the Lacy pick. Didn't think he was a 1st rounder, turns out no one else did either, and I didn't see him getting to 55. Classic Thompson to move down and still get him at 61.
Kiper compares him favorably to Mark Ingram.
The phrase, "damning him with faint praise" comes to mind.
quote:Originally posted by Fedya:
They also won a SB with Frank Zombo and Erik Walden.
Walden didn't play in the Super Bowl.
quote:Originally posted by johnnie gray:
as i recall, they did win a super bowl with kuhn and jackson
You have a good memory.
Were Packers going to go with Montee Ball if Lacy were drafted ahead of him instead of the other way around? I can't believe you got BOTH Lacy and Franklin. The rich get richer...
I think we would have. I thought I heard or read Ted saying something like that last night, something cryptic to the effect that he knew if one wasn't there the other would be. I think a quality RB was very near the top of his list this week, one way or another.
quote:Originally posted by Grave Digger:
Frank Gore 2.0
Guy gives maximum effort and gets yards after contact.
Franklin more like Gore methinks
Like this pick a lot. BPA and at a position of need. He would have gone in the next several picks, so he was slotted exactly right. Would not have been unhappy with Montee, but Lacy has a lot fewer miles on him.
The trade down to get an extra body later is pure TT. He knew he had either Ball or Lacey, so picked up and extra player and still got great value.
Yes, this was a good deep draft for RBs, so Starks, Green and the rest should know that they are competing for a roster spot. Not sure we'll keep five and think that Kunh stays despite his salary, mainly as special teamer and ARod's third down protector. If Lacey shows he can handle that, then Kuhn's time in GB may be done.
The trade down to get an extra body later is pure TT. He knew he had either Ball or Lacey, so picked up and extra player and still got great value.
Yes, this was a good deep draft for RBs, so Starks, Green and the rest should know that they are competing for a roster spot. Not sure we'll keep five and think that Kunh stays despite his salary, mainly as special teamer and ARod's third down protector. If Lacey shows he can handle that, then Kuhn's time in GB may be done.
quote:Originally posted by tundra_power:quote:Originally posted by Grave Digger:
Frank Gore 2.0
Guy gives maximum effort and gets yards after contact.
Franklin more like Gore methinks
In what way? Gore is a downhill, between the Tackles runner who plays with great power and effort. Franklin is a guy with great lateral quickness who isn't as powerful but also plays with great effort. If we're comparing to San Fran, Franklin is more of the Kendall Hunter.
Don't quite get the comparison of Franklin to Gore either.
The Packers have a (largely well-deserved) reputation of being soft and hopefully Lacy and the rest of the class represents a shift by the organization to change that.
The Packers have a (largely well-deserved) reputation of being soft and hopefully Lacy and the rest of the class represents a shift by the organization to change that.
So the Steelers took Lacy off their board completely but draft a guy in Rd 1 that changed schools because doctors wouldn't clear him based on spinal stenosis?
Did Lacy have surgery, yes. Almost 1 year ago exactly. Did it effect his 2012 season? No. Could it make another appearance? Yes. Nothing's guaranteed. Still thinks its a bush move by the Steelers stamping him damaged goods after taking Jarvis Jones in Rd 1.
Did Lacy have surgery, yes. Almost 1 year ago exactly. Did it effect his 2012 season? No. Could it make another appearance? Yes. Nothing's guaranteed. Still thinks its a bush move by the Steelers stamping him damaged goods after taking Jarvis Jones in Rd 1.
quote:Originally posted by ChilliJon:
So the Steelers took Lacy off their board completely but draft a guy in Rd 1 that changed schools because doctors wouldn't clear him based on spinal stenosis?
Carry on.
Good point.
Perhaps to them Lacy was. It's one thing to take one injury risk, it's a whole nother thing to use both your top two picks on injury risks.quote:Originally posted by ChilliJon:
Still thinks its a bush move by the Steelers stamping him damaged goods after taking Jarvis Jones in Rd 1.
I didn't see "we didn't want to draft two injury risks" in their comments. If they think Bell is the better back, then they should stand on that. Don't come out and say "we wanted no part of Lacy" after taking Jones.
I hope Lacy shoves those comments down their throats on December 22nd. That's my Christmas wish.
Am I glad Lacy ran Jarvis Jones over in the SEC Championship game? Damn right I am. Can't wait to see it again.
I hope Lacy shoves those comments down their throats on December 22nd. That's my Christmas wish.
Am I glad Lacy ran Jarvis Jones over in the SEC Championship game? Damn right I am. Can't wait to see it again.
I thought this comment made sense:
quote:steelcityfinest13 says:
Apr 28, 2013 9:06 PM
A few guys were right…hes not gona have2 do as much running as he did because of discount double check and the way they sling the ball…he just wouldnt last in the burgh or any other “run 1st” team…i just think the steelers where thinkn more long term and bell is younger with more tread on his tires…how long do yal really think he would last in the nfl with bigger bodies running the way he did in college with that kind of injury…on green bay he just may last longer because he doesnt have2 carry tha ham as much as bama needed him2!
The steelers passed on Lacy but I find it difficult to believe they took him off their board entirely.
If the Steelers drAft lacy & he lasts 5 years. How is that any different than where they are currently with Mendenhall? Only way I can see the Steelers taking Lacy off the board is if they felt he couldn't last 4-5 years.
Looking forward to playing the Steelers this year. Maybe someone will leave these comments in Lacys lockers before the game.
If the Steelers drAft lacy & he lasts 5 years. How is that any different than where they are currently with Mendenhall? Only way I can see the Steelers taking Lacy off the board is if they felt he couldn't last 4-5 years.
Looking forward to playing the Steelers this year. Maybe someone will leave these comments in Lacys lockers before the game.
I'll concede that. Just speculation on my part. All I read was...quote:Originally posted by ChilliJon:
I didn't see "we didn't want to draft two injury risks" in their comments.
Based on that, it's not like the GM came out and blasted Lacy.quote:One team source said the Steelers would not touch Lacy because his big toe had been fused.
If there's other options at RB and they didn't like his injury report it would make more sense to take him off the list and go with a comparable player. When it comes to pass rush it gets a lot trickier to find a guy, their cupboard is pretty bare, and we all know this defense is keyed around the OLB's.
Reads to me like they felt more comfortable taking a gamble on a guy at a position that's vital to their defense and less so on a RB who hadn't separated himself as much from the rest of the class.quote:One other reason the Steelers targeted Jones: They knew there was a big drop-off in edge rushers after him. If they wanted a productive one -- Colbert called him "dominant" -- Jones was really their final hope. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
He's played two seasons without issue since being cleared. I think that made the Steelers more comfortable with the risk.quote:"There are no absolutes when it comes to stenosis," says ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist. "It's not uncommon for doctors to have differing opinions, and players must be evaluated on an individual basis. But if the condition is severe, injury could result in permanent neurological damage."
Jones insists that his neck is fine. No pain. No numbness. He says the injury's lone lingering effect is mental: "I know what it's like to not have this game in my life." -espn
The Steelers look to be covering their ass. If Lacy winds up being a much better pro than Bell, and I think he will be, they'll have an excuse for not taking him.
Lop his toe off if you have to, Rocky Blier played with part of his foot missing.
The thing I like about Ball and Lacy is that (unlike most recent Packers backs) they have vision and awareness. I haven't seen enough of Franklin but I'm hoping (and reading) he also fits this mold. Color me tired of seeing RBs look like a perfect reproduction of an AJ Hawk blitz every time they have to pick a hole.
quote:The Steelers look to be covering their ass.
Ding ding ding ding! The Steeler fans are freaking out over him dropping to Green Bay. Damage control, just in case it blows up in their face....and it MAY!
quote:Originally posted by Boris:quote:The Steelers look to be covering their ass.
Ding ding ding ding! The Steeler fans are freaking out over him dropping to Green Bay. Damage control, just in case it blows up in their face....and it MAY!
No doubt whatsoever.
I'm inclined to believe the Steelers just made a different assessment on Lacy than the Packers did. According to Wilde, he was under consideration in the first so he apparently was rated very highly on TT's board.
Really getting excited about this pick. Even if he doesn't match Trent Richardson's production, wouldn't it be safe to say his floor is at least the 2013 version of Steven Jackson? And about $10M cheaper, no less.
Concur michiganjoe. Exactly why the draft is an inexact science.
The fact TT drafted Lacy, has the steelers worried about their evaluation.
The fact TT drafted Lacy, has the steelers worried about their evaluation.
John Elway is also on record now as citing medical reasons as to why they considered Ball better than Lacy.
Did he say "better" or "safer" than Lacy?
Peyton Manning would nod his head in agreement with Elway's decision if his neckbone wasn't fused to his clavicle.
Guarantee Peyton $40 million after multiple neck surgeries then play the injury risk card with Lacy
Given GB's aproach to injuries over the past few years (sitting a guy for 2 weeks with a hangnail) and total injuries in gerneral. I find it hard to believe that if there was anything in the medical reports that made Lacy anything close to a moderate risk, TT would have gone in another direction.
Peyton Manning would nod his head in agreement with Elway's decision if his neckbone wasn't fused to his clavicle.
Guarantee Peyton $40 million after multiple neck surgeries then play the injury risk card with Lacy
Given GB's aproach to injuries over the past few years (sitting a guy for 2 weeks with a hangnail) and total injuries in gerneral. I find it hard to believe that if there was anything in the medical reports that made Lacy anything close to a moderate risk, TT would have gone in another direction.
Or TT's perceived level of risk with Lacy was far outweighed by his perceived value of Lacy at #61. Doesn't necessarily mean they think his foot is fine, just that the potential reward outweighs the potential risk.
And made adding Franklin just that much easier to justify.
The one thing that always worrie me about Ball was that he didn't go through guys. The homer in me wanted to root for him on Sundays, but to me Lacy is the safer pick. He's the safer pick because his ability really jumps out at you on the field. He and Ball both have great feet, but Lacy has the added bulk dimension that really makes you think he could be special.
I also love his story- perseverence and humility. Perfect fit at 1265..
I also love his story- perseverence and humility. Perfect fit at 1265..