New Packers running backs coach Sam Gash has blocked for some good running backs.
But he said his new pupil reminds him of one of the best of all time.
Gash said after watching film of Eddie Lacy, he sees similarities to Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin.
“Even though he’s bigger, same mentality,” Gash said, via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Curtis didn’t like watching football. If anybody watched his Hall of Fame speech, he was a guy who didn’t necessarily like watching football, but he was instinctive and just a great player.
“Eddie is pretty similar in his mentality. But you watch him on film, which I’m just starting to do, he’s an exciting prospect.”
Gash has also blocked for backs including Thurman Thomas, Jamal Lewis and Deuce McAlister, so he knows what it takes.
And after watching Lacy’s rookie year on tape, he said his challenge as a position coach would be not overthinking things.
“Leave him alone. Let him run,” Gash said. “Just point him in the right direction and let him go. Just talk to him about the little things, the part about being a pro. He’s a young guy and he plays hard, but there’s an art to being a pro.
“I’m definitely not going to mess him up. That’s something I learned a long time, let runners run.”
Lacy provided a nice balance to the Packers offense this year, keeping them afloat during Aaron Rodgers’ absence. And if they can keep the quarterback well next year, they have the possibility to be even more dangerous.