RADIO
Just when we thought Eddie Lacy was in, head coach Mike McCarthy pulled him back out.
Last night, the Green Bay Packers overcame a 20-point deficit and stunned the Detroit Lions, 27-23, with a last-play hail marry by Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers in the end zone, saving their season. But confusion has arisen once again at the running back position in Green Bay, while more angry fantasy owners continue to shake their heads.
After two straight weeks of 100-plus rushing yards, Eddie Lacy appeared to have finally reclaimed what had been rightfully his since before the season started. Owners began ignoring his shaky season, forgetting that their first round draft pick hadn't paid off one bit, now ready to ride his hot hand into fantasy playoffs. Not so fast, unfortunately. Lacy finished Thursday night's game with four rushing yards on five carries and one reception for negative three yards; a stat line that only barely broke a point in PPR formats.
Lacy also exited the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Although there is apparently more to it then another injury to the third year running back. According to WFRV-TV Green Bay, McCarthy said that Lacy didn't have a great week of practice leading up to yesterday's contest; information that could have been useful to fantasy owners, yesterday. Whether Lacy was punished for his work ethic or his fumble on Thanksgiving last week or that he suddenly went back to his sluggish ways on and off the field, he is now way too difficult to trust in what's been an emotionally draining season for those fantasy owners who have stuck with him the entire way. He is no longer even an RB2, and should be overlooked even in 12+ team leagues, especially since he once again lost touches to James Starks and even recently signed UDFA, John Crockett.
Starks started the game as the lead running back on Green Bay's first two possessions and out-carried Lacy nine to four, but was ineffective as well, picking up only 15 yards on the ground. Starks did catch the ball five times for 45 yards, numbers that would have only helped owners in PPR leagues. Late in the game, Starks fumbled the ball in the red zone that was luckily recovered by Randall Cobb in the end zone for the score, worrisome for those clutching onto Starks as well. He and Lacy were both out-rushed by Crockett, who picked up 22 rushing yards on five carries.
Despite having some value in deeper, PPR leagues, Starks is untrustworthy as well. Not necessarily just because of his fumble and inefficient running, but because it won't be clear who McCarthy decides to go with. Props to you McCarthy, for sticking with the discipline. No beef with you there, you're just messing with fantasy lineups at the most inconvenient time.
Having Starks and Lacy split playing time and carries wouldn't be the worst thing, but only if they actually did something with the ball. Starks is a RB3, and could very well find himself back on the waiver wire in most leagues, now that the Packers are looking to ride Rodgers and his discount double checks all the way to the playoffs.
