Falcons Postgame: Gift Wrapped

[Newz]

I think Bostick and Quarless could be a serviceable tight end tandem but I also wouldn't be mad if we grabbed one in the draft. I'm just assuming Finley is done in GB if not as an NFL player entirely.

I'm also very happy to be wrong about Lacy, I thought he would be a decent back but I still don't typically like taking running backs that high in the draft, he is well worth it and would no doubt go very high in a redraft. Hopefully he can hold up and have 5 good years or so, anything beyond that would be a bonus because he takes a beating out there as do all running backs.

The main thing hat concerns me about Lacy's longevity is his speed. Right now he is just fast enough to be very effective. I think he is going to take a pretty big nosedive once he loses a step though. That shouldn't happen for a while, but when it happens I think it's going to be very noticeable... where as some other backs can lose a step and still be impactful.

[jakecronus8]

I think Bostick and Quarless could be a serviceable tight end tandem but I also wouldn't be mad if we grabbed one in the draft. I'm just assuming Finley is done in GB if not as an NFL player entirely.

I'm also very happy to be wrong about Lacy, I thought he would be a decent back but I still don't typically like taking running backs that high in the draft, he is well worth it and would no doubt go very high in a redraft. Hopefully he can hold up and have 5 good years or so, anything beyond that would be a bonus because he takes a beating out there as do all running backs.

The main thing hat concerns me about Lacy's longevity is his speed. Right now he is just fast enough to be very effective. I think he is going to take a pretty big nosedive once he loses a step though. That shouldn't happen for a while, but when it happens I think it's going to be very noticeable... where as some other backs can lose a step and still be impactful.

True. Didn't Shaun Alexander go from MVP level to completely useless in one offseason?

[Newz]

I think Bostick and Quarless could be a serviceable tight end tandem but I also wouldn't be mad if we grabbed one in the draft. I'm just assuming Finley is done in GB if not as an NFL player entirely.

I'm also very happy to be wrong about Lacy, I thought he would be a decent back but I still don't typically like taking running backs that high in the draft, he is well worth it and would no doubt go very high in a redraft. Hopefully he can hold up and have 5 good years or so, anything beyond that would be a bonus because he takes a beating out there as do all running backs.

The main thing hat concerns me about Lacy's longevity is his speed. Right now he is just fast enough to be very effective. I think he is going to take a pretty big nosedive once he loses a step though. That shouldn't happen for a while, but when it happens I think it's going to be very noticeable... where as some other backs can lose a step and still be impactful.

True. Didn't Shaun Alexander go from MVP level to completely useless in one offseason?

Yeah, I imagine it being something like that. I mean, it isn't a rip on him... right now he's great. He's just not a very fast back as is and once he loses that step I could see him being pretty awful. Maybe he maintains his power and is useful at the goalline and in short yardage.

[chuckleslove]

I think Bostick and Quarless could be a serviceable tight end tandem but I also wouldn't be mad if we grabbed one in the draft. I'm just assuming Finley is done in GB if not as an NFL player entirely.

I'm also very happy to be wrong about Lacy, I thought he would be a decent back but I still don't typically like taking running backs that high in the draft, he is well worth it and would no doubt go very high in a redraft. Hopefully he can hold up and have 5 good years or so, anything beyond that would be a bonus because he takes a beating out there as do all running backs.

The main thing hat concerns me about Lacy's longevity is his speed. Right now he is just fast enough to be very effective. I think he is going to take a pretty big nosedive once he loses a step though. That shouldn't happen for a while, but when it happens I think it's going to be very noticeable... where as some other backs can lose a step and still be impactful.

True. Didn't Shaun Alexander go from MVP level to completely useless in one offseason?

Pretty much:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/p ... exSh00.htm

2005 was his MVP season, he was injured and not nearly as effective for large parts of the next two seasons and then was gone.

Luckily it usually seems to happen around 30 years old and Lacy didn't have a ton of carries in college so I think 5+ years barring injury is realistic.

[midranger]

re: Lacy's speed.

I think some more conditioning could do wonders for him. He's still carrying an extra 10 or 15 lbs just in the gut.

[Newz]

re: Lacy's speed.

I think some more conditioning could do wonders for him. He's still carrying an extra 10 or 15 lbs just in the gut.

This could certainly be true. Do you think cutting down 10-15 pounds would cost him some of his power and tackle breaking ability?

If it's true (and it looks like it might be) that he's carrying that much unneeded weight, then that could potentially spell trouble for his knees/feet later in his career.

[chuckleslove]

I think next season will be big in telling us whether he can/will shed off some weight and how it will change his performance. He will get a full off season with the team workouts and schedule.

[whatthe_buck!?]

Just to play devils advocate, is speed an essential part of Lacys game anyway? I feel like the best part of his game may be the fact that almost every defender that hits him gets knocked backwards from the impact of the collision, and if thats true doesn't him losing weight potentially lessen Lacys inertia?

I mean if him losing his fat but maintaining his current weight by replacing any lost weight in fat with new muscle is what ends up happening that seems like it would be hard to argue that wouldn't be a boon for his production and effectiveness but I'm not 100% sure that him losing 15 pounds is gonna necessarily make him a more effective back. I find it hard to believe that losing that weight is gonna improve his speed to the point that he would then be able to outrun people anyway but maybe I'm way off...

[Godgers]

Lacy has good speed for his size. Just as much as Lynch and more than Steven Jackson in his early years. Lacy is a workhorse back. I wouldn't want him to lose 1 pound.

James Starks has a super burst this season. Starks really can break some big runs and has.

Pound.. pound..pound with Lacy. Than let Starks get one and break it for a long run.