Green Bay Packers offense 2014 year in review and grades
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back & Fullback – Eddie Lacy quietly took a step forward from 2014, but his season wasn’t all roses. In fact, Lacy topped the 70-yard mark just once in the Packers’ first ten games. He would, however, top that mark in the remaining six regular season games and each of Green Bay’s playoff matchups.
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Therein lies the true value of Eddie Lacy, especially when he shares a backfield with Aaron Rodgers. The early months of the season, split between domes and warmer weather, provide ideal conditions for Green Bay’s elite passing game to dominate. By the time the weather turns cold at Lambeau and passing conditions begin to wane, Lacy ramps up his game and makes the offense an entirely different unit.
Lacy’s use in the receiving game impressed me this season above all else, as he caught 42 passes for 427 yards and 4 TD. While he’s far from a scat back who Green Bay will line up out wide or swing into the flat, he is a monster when used properly in the screen game. Hitting Lacy on a screen eliminates the defensive line from the play, leaving Lacy to run through open space with much smaller linebackers and safeties attempting to bring him down.
James Starks provided another solid season of backup, despite seeing his YPC drop to 3.9 from 5.5 in 2013. I’ve always believed that Starks could be a passable starter on some NFL teams, and there was often little to no drop off when he spelled off Lacy. Starks uses his mile-long, powerful legs to churn forward and rarely gets tackled without falling ahead for extra yardage.
DuJuan Harris manned the third spot on the depth chart, but ran the football an average of just once per game. He did return 22 kicks, but with Micah Hyde and Randall Cobb both superior to him in that department, he made little impact. Competition will surely be brought in to challenge Harris for his roster spot entering 2015.
John Kuhn had another solid year for the Packers, excelling in his short-yardage role and showing more in the run-blocking game than he has in years past. Questioning Kuhn’s return seems to be an offseason tradition in Green Bay, but if McCarthy stays committed to having a fullback on the roster, few are better than the Pro Bowler Kuhn.
2014 Grade: B+
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