Eddie Lacy finally runs, and reportedly runs fast

[Jooser]

Eddie Lacy finally runs, and reportedly runs fast

Posted by Mike Florio on April 11, 2013, 11:13 AM EDT
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Alabama running back [URL="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8382/eddie-lacy"]Eddie Lacy[/URL], whose draft stock had been slipping and sliding while he was unable to work out at the Scouting Combine or during his Pro Day due to a hamstring injury, finally is healthy enough to run for scouts.


He ran today in Tuscaloosa, and at least one account has Lacy running very fast for a 230-pound tailback.


Via Mark Edwards of the Anniston (Ala.) Star, Lacy unofficially ran a pair of [URL="https://twitter.com/MarkSportsStar"]4.4-second 40-yard dashes[/URL].


It’s unclear whether that’s 4.40 or 4.49 or somewhere in between. And it remains to be seen whether other stopwatches showed slower times.


Still, the fact that Lacy was able to run and that he apparently ran at least in the mid-four-second range is good news for a guy who would be, in our view, a great fit for the Steelers at No. 16.


UPDATE 11:27 a.m. ET: And now there’s another account of Lacy [URL="https://twitter.com/seniorbowl/status/322368851155226624"]running a 4.58 and a 4.62[/URL]. That's still faster than Phar Lap's 40 times.

[TD386Steel]

Why doesn't anyone like this guy?

[hawaiiansteel]

April 11, 2013

NFL scouts have been anxiously waiting to see whether Alabama running back Eddie Lacy would time faster than the 4.55-second estimate they'd given him based on tape.

He ran slightly slower Thursday, confirming he lacks the home-run speed some scouts believe is critical to warrant selection in the first round.

Representatives from the Senior Bowl tweeted that Lacy, 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, was clocked at 4.58 and 4.62-seconds in the 40-yard dash.

The time is respectable for a back of Lacy's size, but the rest of his workout wasn't ideal, either, according to former NFL scout Bucky Brooks, who tweeted that Lacy recorded a 32.5-inch vertical jump, a 9-7 broad jump, a 4.44-second short-shuttle and had a "disappointing" positional workout.

According to Brooks, Lacy appeared "out of shape" and "wasn't able to finish" the workout.

Lacy is NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated running back in the 2013 draft but isn't among my top 32 picks, and he's also a no-show in Dane Brugler's first-round projection. At least one running back has been selected in the first round of every NFL draft since 1963.

While Lacy's workout raises red flags about his conditioning, there is no question he possesses the talent to be a bell-cow back at the next level. Lacy is a powerful between-the-tackles runner who can knock defenders to the ground. He's also possesses very light feet and excellent balance, often slipping past would-be tacklers with a lethal spin move. Lacy is also a gifted receiver out of the backfield and has proven both alert and physical in pass protection, making it likely he'll be able to step in and contribute immediately as a rookie.

Lacy played well in spot duty over his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide and exploded in 2012. The junior ran for 1,322 yards on 204 carries (6.5 average) and 17 touchdowns, earning First Team All-SEC honors.

Scouts also like the fact that Lacy hasn't been worn down. He served as the backup behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, each of whom, of course, wound up as first-round picks in the past two drafts.

Even with the less-than-stellar numbers, Lacy is likely to join his former teammates as the first running back selected in their respective draft classes.

While it may get lost in the hype of Lacy's numbers, the most important thing he may have proved Thursday was his health. A pulled hamstring kept him from participating at the combine or Alabama's previous Pro Day March 13.

A few other notable Alabama players also attended the workout. Right tackle D.J. Fluker weighed in at 337 pounds and posted a 27.5-inch vertical jump, according to the Senior Bowl. Tight end Michael Williams, safety Robert Lester and linebacker Nico Johnson were other former Crimson Tide standouts who mostly sat on their numbers from the combine but did positional workouts.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/22051749/2013-pro-days-bamas-eddie-lacy-clocked-at-458-462-[/URL]

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Why doesn't anyone like this guy?

Because of this:

NFL scouts have been anxiously waiting to see whether Alabama running back Eddie Lacy would time faster than the 4.55-second estimate they'd given him based on tape.

He ran slightly slower Thursday, confirming he lacks the home-run speed some scouts believe is critical to warrant selection in the first round.

Representatives from the Senior Bowl tweeted that Lacy, 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, was clocked at 4.58 and 4.62-seconds in the 40-yard dash.

[feltdizz]

Why doesn't anyone like this guy?

Because he has the "talent" but is always hurt and seems to be a little on the lazy side.

[hawaiiansteel]

Because he has the "talent" but is always hurt and seems to be a little on the lazy side.

sounds a lot like a back we already have...

[Jooser]

sounds a lot like a back we already have...

Yeah exactly, we don't need another player on this roster too lazy to get into decent playing shape. Nice article HS.

[flippy]

Plus just about any college RB would have looked like a phenom behind that line.

[hawaiiansteel]

Yeah exactly, we don't need another player on this roster too lazy to get into decent playing shape. Nice article HS.

thanks Jooser!

[Shawn]

Why doesn't anyone like this guy?

Maybe because he didn't really do anything in college. You have a guy like Bell who out performed Lacy by a long shot...yet Lacy gets all the press because he is from Bama. And I just to nip the Lacy ran against the superman SEC...He ran for 35 yards against Michigan. 36 yards against Western Kentucky. 55 yards against Arkansas and 26 yards against Mississipi State. Lacy is streaky and unproven. He is not a top 25 talent.

[Shawn]

Plus just about any college RB would have looked like a phenom behind that line.

Exactly....

[steelerkeylargo]

I would have zero problems taking him in the 1st.

[feltdizz]

Maybe because he didn't really do anything in college. You have a guy like Bell who out performed Lacy by a long shot...yet Lacy gets all the press because he is from Bama. And I just to nip the Lacy ran against the superman SEC...He ran for 35 yards against Michigan. 36 yards against Western Kentucky. 55 yards against Arkansas and 26 yards against Mississipi State. Lacy is streaky and unproven. He is not a top 25 talent.

Uhh... Im not a Lacy fan but c'mon... he had 9 attempts vs Michigan with a TD. He had 9 attempts vs w. Kentucky. He had 12 attempts vs Arkansas and 3 TD's.

All 3 games were total blowouts and all of them had a bunch of TO's with short fields.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I would have zero problems taking him in the 1st.

that would be a horrible overdraft.

no way he is worth the 17th pick.

[Captain Lemming]

Yeah exactly, we don't need another player on this roster too lazy to get into decent playing shape. Nice article HS.

Oh, but THAT is what makes him PERFECT.
Having "A" lazy back is a problem.

But if you have A STABLE of talented backs who are easily winded GREAT.

Rotate you fat lazy out of shape backs EVERY DOWN.

Dont sign a guy like S Jackson who is nearly a decade in the league but in better shape than these youngsters. Selfish ball hogs like that want the rock all the time.

Our guys "unselfishly" call for a teamate to get a chance after ever exausting 9 yard run.

THAT builds team chemistry.