OTA Report: Eddie Lacy and Jared Cook ready to work
The NFL season has unofficially begun as players shake off the hangover of last season to get in shape and prepare for the upcoming season with the beginning of organized team activities.
The OTAs have started well for the Green Bay Packers, who are among the early favorites to be the NFC representatives in Super Bowl LI. The Packers came ready to work for that dream to come to fruition. With every start of the year, optimism is high.
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Eddie Lacy’s Weight
Head coach Mike McCarthy didn’t mince his words when he said that Lacy “cannot play at the weight he was at [last] year,” Lacey took that criticism to heart and hit the workouts a little harder.
“At the end of the day, we’re all grown men,” Lacy said about McCarthy’s challenge. “Whether he calls me out, I just have to take care of that responsibility. You don’t get mad or [lash] out or anything like that. You just take it as it is what it is and make it go away.”
Lacy spent time with P90X founder Tony Horton in his journey to lose weight. That work with Horton seems to have paid off and Lacy hit practice looking a lot lighter and more cut.
“It was different,” Lacy said. “Some things were harder than others. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the result. Whether it’s fun or not, you’ve just got to get it done.”
Reports have varied of the actual look of Lacy. From looking more cut, to very subtle differences and even being over-hyped have all been mentioned of the running back. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but what matters most to me is how he feels. Lacy stated that he did feel better and if he can keep up with a healthy workout regimen to get leaner and still pack a punch, defenses take note.Hopefully the hard work Lacy has put in will not only help him be a better football player, but be an example to the younger members of his team by being an example of hard work.
Jared Cook Impressed Early
Many people – myself included- have had some skepticism when it came to signing Cook. By all accounts, it seemed that Cook was to be a washout in the league and that he fully never developed. Hopefully with a better supporting cast and coaches, Cook can become the player that the Packers need him to be.
“Jared looks good,” McCarthy said after practice. “He’s a big target, very athletic. He’s been an excellent addition. He’s been everything we thought he would be. He looks to get more comfortable each time we line up.”
That is great to hear from the head coach. I know it’s way too early to say that Cook will have a breakout year,but if he is giving his coaches that much confidence this earlier in the year, it is a good sign of things to come. I hope that Cook does have a good year and is the player the Packers need him to be. His entire career he hasn’t had a supporting cast or quarterback like he does in Green Bay and that will make all the difference for Cook and this offense.
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