Published August 16, 2012 - 3:50pm
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Gone are the likes of Trent Richardson donning an Alabama uniform every Saturday and running through would-be tacklers. His physical downhill running style will be gone but not forgotten.
Alabama has had three great running backs over the span of just four years in the likes of Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.
Left to carry that torch is a bruiser in his own right: Eddie Lacy.
Lacy has shared the spotlight with Ingram and Richardson over the last few years, more in a behind-the-scenes role, with Ingram bringing the first-ever Heisman Trophy back to Tuscaloosa and Richardson being the premier running back in all of college football a year ago. And there’s probably some pressure there following the likes of those two man-beasts.
Alabama has a running back by committee standard – and why not, when you have three or more bruising backs on the roster more physical than 75 percent of other backs in the league.
Lacy has a combined 1,080 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Not only is he a weapon on the ground, but he can also be used very effectively as a receiver out of the backfield who can play in space, much like his predecessors.
Lacy was banged up for some of 2011, sat out all spring getting his turf toe healthy and is ready to break out for the Tide in 2012. He’ll be the featured back, but Alabama will work in Jalston Fowler, Dee Hart, TJ Yeldon and others behind him.
Running behind what could be the best offensive line in the country will really show off Lacy’s ability. He can run between the tackles with the best of them, but his game is not limited to just a power game, because he can turn the corner, too. He’s not a burner by any means, but Lacy is more than capable of breaking off the long one.
He’s averaged a furious 7.15 yards per carry in his short career. While the yards per carry will decrease, his overall production will increase.
Look for Lacy to rush for more yards in 2012 than he has in his career thus far. He’s primed for a breakout season.
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