The Packers hope Eddie Lacy returns to his 2014 form. Credit: Benny Sieu

By of the

Green Bay — Eddie Lacy already has done some damage, if not irreparable damage, to his market value by not staying in shape.

After having to play his way into condition during Green Bay Packers training camp in 2014, Lacy reported at 260 pounds last July, cheating himself and the organization, before going on to have one of the more disappointing seasons of any player in the NFL.

Lacy took the first step in January, reaching out to P90X founder Tony Horton. Under Horton's personal guidance, estimates in June were that Lacy had dropped 15 to 20 pounds.

Lacy ranks 63rd among running backs in average salary per year at $848,103. With a return to form, he would be in position to cash in either through a new contract with the Packers (his four-year rookie deal expires in March) or with another team as an unrestricted free agent.

On the first day of free agency in March, Doug Martin went back to Tampa Bay for $7.15 million per year ($15 million guaranteed). On the same day, the Dolphins' Lamar Miller left for Houston ($6.5 million average, $14 million guaranteed) and the Jets' Chris Ivory departed for Jacksonville ($6.4 million average, $10 million guaranteed).

Before he got fat, Lacy was more highly regarded than those three players who now rank fifth to seventh on the pay scale at running back.

For Lacy, whose family lost almost everything during Hurricane Katrina a decade ago, the prospect of achieving financial security for years to come should be intoxicating. But Lacy marches to a beat of his own, and the Packers can only hope his mind will be right and last year turns out to have been an aberration.

"He looks good and he's practiced well," associate head coach Tom Clements said in late May. "We're doing some things a little different, and he's responded. I think he'll have a good year."

After being named offensive rookie of the year in 2013, Lacy established himself as an exceptional power runner in his second season and the Packers' best back since Ahman Green.

Lacy's attacking, spinning, ferocious style of running almost single-handedly brought an element of toughness that Mike McCarthy's offenses hadn't often displayed.

With his playing weight last year in the mid-250s, Lacy at times was slow pressing the hole, ineffective in short-yardage situations and careless with the ball. Seldom was he able to cut it loose and hurt people for 60 minutes.

Lacy still averaged 4.31 yards per carry in 17 games, didn't drop a pass and showed improvement as a pass blocker. If he wants it badly enough, a return to prosperity shouldn't be that far away.

"Shoot, even last year, as much as people complained about his weight and all that stuff, you watch the tape of all his runs and you still see a back that does some elite things," said Ben Sirmans, the first-year position coach. "Even at that weight."

The Packers protected themselves, re-signing James Starks to a two-year deal averaging $3 million ($1.5 million guaranteed).

"We have a really good combination of guys," Sirmans said. "When you combine those two I think you've got guys you can definitely win a Super Bowl with."

Lacy deserves his share of the blame for the Packers' 31st-place ranking in average gain on first down. Their 28.6% rate of "bad" runs was the highest in Green Bay since 2007.

Several personnel people over the years have made the point that more than a few Alabama players have struggled in the NFL once they leave the ultra-disciplined, cocoon-like environment created by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

"They get away from the preacher, you know?" said an NFC personnel director. "It takes that commitment to doing it. Some of those Alabama backs kind of concern you with having the tread worn off the tires.

"Trent Richardson was like 20 pounds heavier when he reported (to Indianapolis) than when he came out of there. He lost all his quickness. Lacy's got a little bit of a knucklehead in him, too."

Another scout blamed the Packers in part for not laying down the law with Lacy much sooner even it meant prolonged benching.

"It's not his fault," the personnel man said. "You set the standards. You've got to handle him like Nick Saban did."

Sirmans intends to push Lacy in the passing game. He saw occasional dominance as a pass blocker and soft hands as a receiver.

"Now the biggest thing with him is going to be that we can depend on him beating man coverage," said Sirmans. "Because so many people played us in man coverage last year where he was matched up against linebackers and strong safeties. Those are the wars we're going to have to win."

Depending on the game, there were times Starks was the better back than Lacy, according to Sirman's review of tapes since being named in January to succeed Sam Gash.

Not only did Starks play more snaps (600 to 532) than Lacy, he caught more than twice as many passes (49 to 22) and was more efficient in short yardage.

"James was definitely a weapon in the red zone on the screen passes," Sirmans said. "He was really, really adept at those. He does give you some explosiveness, even at his age (30)."

Starks isn't the most aware player in pass protection and through trial and error finally has attained a level of adequacy as a receiver.

What stained his season were five fumbles (three lost) after having had five (one lost) in his first five seasons.

"I underestimated how good he is," said one personnel man. "Good change-of-pace back. Good catcher. He does dance a bit too much."

John Crockett, the third holdover, replaced Alonzo Harris on the roster for the final seven games but was limited to two games and 16 snaps.

"He has a lot of quickness and explosiveness," said Sirmans. "I look forward to seeing him perform in preseason."

Nevada's Don Jackson might be the best of three rookie free agents signed to challenge Crockett.

"Kind of a tough, between-the-tackles runner," an AFC college scout said of Jackson in April. "He has a shot. He's a top free agent."

John Kuhn, who along with Mason Crosby ranked second to Aaron Rodgers in years of service, remains in free-agent limbo. Aaron Ripkowski played just 17 snaps as a rookie but the decision was made months ago to install him as the fullback.

"He carries himself mentally as a guy that can start," Sirmans said. "He has the ability to understand the schemes and the protections. I think his hands will be good enough."

Kuhn, a waiver pickup in September 2007 from the Steelers, possessed encyclopedic knowledge of the offense. However, Ripkowski scored 31 on the Wonderlic intelligence test and, with 10 years less wear and tear on his body, should offer more thump as a run blocker.

"Hard to believe that's the best they can do," one personnel man said of Kuhn in January. "He can't run. Misses a lot of blocks. No threat anywhere with the ball."

Offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett oozed with confidence over Ripkowski's ability to root out linebackers in the hole and function cleanly as a receiver.

"'Rip' is a tough guy, no doubt about that," said Bennett.