Seahawks get their RB, sign Eddie Lacy

The Seattle Seahawks have added Eddie Lacy at running back. Now they just have to hope he’s in shape in time for the 2017 season.

The Seattle Seahawks’ interest in signing a free agent running back was obvious. It was clearly one of their top priorities, and now they’ve set out to accomplish what they started. The Seahawks signed Eddie Lacy to a 1-year deal.

The former Green Bay Packer is a great fit for Seattle’s scheme. He’s a power runner in the mold of Marshawn Lynch. Well, at least he is when he’s in shape.

That has been the problem for Lacy since joining the NFL. His weight ballooned up from 235 pounds to around 265 pounds, costing him quickness and agility. Lacy is a power runner, and was never particularly quick. For him, losing quickness meant losing his effectiveness.

2016 was a mixed bag for Lacy. He came into training camp in shape and ready. That resulted in a career-best average of 5.1 yards per carry. Unfortunately, his season got cut short. After just 5 games, he landed on injured reserve after requiring surgery on his foot.

The contract tells us a pair of important things. First, the Seahawks were serious about their desire to get a guy who can contribute this year. You don’t let a RB eat up that much of your salary cap space to be a Fred Jackson-type role player.

It is also clear that the Seahawks see their need for Lacy as a short-term bridge. They like their trio of youngsters at the position, but before the Seahawks will commit to them, they have to prove they can stay on the field.

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That isn’t something that Thomas Rawls or CJ Prosise has been able to do yet. For Alex Collins, he still has to show that the team can depend on him to be productive in more than just a limited backup role.

Overall, none of this will matter if the Seahawks can not fix their issues along the offensive line. It doesn’t matter who is carrying the ball if there is no blocking to create running lanes.