A photo started making the rounds late last week of a hard-to-recognize Eddie Lacy. The bruising Green Bay Packers running back didn't just look like he'd lost a little weight, something he was mandated to do by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy this offseason - he looked like an entirely different person. P90X, dieting - whatever it is that Lacy added to his offseason regimen has clearly worked. Now, whether that weight loss translates to an uptick in production next season remains to be season - Lacy wouldn't be the first NFL player to lose weight and effectiveness at the same time.
But the change likely has fans in Green Bay hopeful for Lacy's 2016 season. Packers GM Ted Thompson though, as shrewd a decision-maker as there is in the NFL, doesn't seem like a guy who is interested in taking any chances.
Thompson, per a recent report, has been "poking around" free agent running backs, specifically former Denver Broncos ballcarrier Ronnie Hillman. It seemed likely after the Packers and Thompson came to terms with former Titans and Rams tight end Jared Cook on a free agent deal that they'd likely call it quits on the NFL's open market, but the veteran Packers personnel man is probably hedging his bets on Lacy's expected turnaround.
The franchise did already re-sign running back James Starks this offseason to a two-year deal, but Starks, a former sixth-round pick, is entering his age 30 season and has proven a moderate producer at best. He's a quality back-up, taking carries when necessary, but he provides little in the way of explosiveness.
Hillman, a former third-round pick by the Broncos out of San Diego State, has carried the ball 453 times for 1,845 yards and 12 touchdowns during his four-year career. He posted his best season last year, the Broncos' Super Bowl-winning campaign, collecting 207 carries for 863 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Hillman, though he produced for Gary Kubiak's Super Bowl-winning squad at point during the regular season, struggled to keep that production going up to and into the playoffs, losing yards and touches to C.J. Anderson as the season wore on. In the AFC Championship Game, Hillman carried the ball 11 times for just 16 yards. In Super Bowl 50, he garnered just five carries and one target, collecting only one yard on the ground.
This offseason, with Anderson a restricted free agent and Hillman unrestricted, the Broncos and GM John Elway chose to focus on keeping Anderson, matching an offer sheet from the Dolphins and allowing Hillman to languish.
To this point, the NFL free agent market for running backs has been limited beyond the top names available. Guys like Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson got worthwhile free agent deals. Anderson got paid thanks to the Dolphins interest and Doug Martin re-upped with the Bucs.
But beyond the top names, there's been little to be had.
Hillman seemingly headlines a remaining group comprised of names like LeGarrette Blount, Tim Hightower, Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Polk.
With Lacy and Starks already in place it's likely Thompson is trying to target a smaller guy who can fill more of a third-down, pass-catching role. Hillman hasn't proven an elite receiver out of the backfield to this point - his career-high in receptions is 24 - but he seems like the kind of thick, slippery back that would round out the Packers running back corps and give Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy three legitimate options.
