His rookie year, Eddie Lacy had 35 receptions for 257 yards and a 7.3 yard average. During the 2014 preseason, the catching ability of Lacy was all the talk, not just of the fans but also of the coaches and other players including one Aaron Rodgers. During the 2014 season, Lacy caught the ball 42 times for 427 yards and a 10.2 yard per reception average. Is Lacy poised to do even more out of the backfield in 2015?
With the high-powered Packers offense returning…well…everyone, one might think that Lacy can hardly have more than around 500 yards because hey, there are only so many passes to be caught. But I think Lacy will have significantly more yards for than in 2014 for several reasons.
Return of the hurry-up
The Packers made a big deal about wanting to have their average number of plays up before the season last year. Then a couple early losses and in particular, the inability to score on the Seattle defense had the effect of forcing McCarthy and company to slow down and run a more deliberate offense. However, the hurry-up showed flashes last year, especially against the Lions defense in week 17 and who do you think spearheaded the opening drive? Eddie Lacy. With Lacy’s ability to run the ball and catch out of the backfield and with much more influence on play calling coming from Aaron Rodgers, I expect to see the hurry-up offense used much more frequently (and spoken about less). This will freeze defenses and allow more standard protections. And if a team does try to blitz, Aaron is the best in the game at throwing over and outrunning blitzes and Lacy makes a great checkdown.
Return of the offensive line
The offensive line not only returns intact but also will get JC Tretter back which will lend some depth. 
The Packers offensive line became one of the best in the business last year and with Corey Linsley coming into his second year, it looks to improve. Defenses will have all they can do to cover Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, and they will focus on that…leaving the opportunities wide open for Lacy. Of course the offensive line being holding up will be critical to Lacy’s opportunities in this regard. But this line that works so hard to keep Aaron upright will make it possible for Lacy to catch the ball as well. Then it will be up to Lacy to keep up that 10.2 yard average, but the Packers are the best in the business at opening up spaces underneath with routes over the top and gaining yards after the catch.
So it remains to be seen whether Eddie Lacy can have a better year out of the backfield than he did last year. I for one, think he will. Suffice it to say that all of us in Packernation are glad to have such an all-around wonder back behind Aaron Rodgers and we are all excited to see Lacy truckin’ his way through the 2015 season.
Go Pack!
Rodgers likes to take his shots downfield. If Lacy gets more receptions or receiving yards than last year, I think it’s a sign that our receivers are struggling to get open and our offense is struggling overall because of it. I’d expect more 4 and 5 WR sets this year with Janis, and possibly Montgomery seeing action at WR. If that’s the case, I think somewhere between 2013 and 2014 stats for Lacy in passing game as he will be blocking more than going out as a check down. The hurry up offense is great when you trap defensive personnel mismatches on the field, otherwise it should be avoided. Teams that don’t change personnel according to the situation much like Seattle, can exploit the hurry up offense. Offensive success depends on taking what the D gives you. So players, and plays that exploit mismatches are the way to go, not forcing a hurry up or any other system. Go Pack go!