In his first preseason action, Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy looked like he could be a solid -- and perhaps difference-making -- addition to the Green Bay offense.
Lacy racked up 40 yards on eight carries in the first half at St. Louis on Saturday evening, repeatedly showing NFL-caliber power and physicality.
A strong running game will simply give Packers coach Mike McCarthy more options on offense. We know the Packers have a superb passing game. An effective ground game that merits respect would leave defenses more stressed than they already are having to cope with Aaron Rodgers.
One first-half play stands out. Rodgers took a shotgun snap, faked the hand-off, then hit tight end Jermichael Finley for a long gain off a short pass into open space. The Rams didn’t defend the play all that well, but here’s the takeaway: if defenses don’t shrug at a Rodgers hand-off, that’s progress for Green Bay -- and a problem for the opposition.