Alabama Football: Can Eddie Lacy not eat himself out of the NFL?

Former Alabama football player Eddie Lacy met his first weight test by the Seattle Seahawks. Can Pete Carroll stop Eddie from eating his way out of the NFL?

Eddie Lacy was an Alabama football running, spinning, battering machine at 230 pounds. On Monday he earned a weight bonus of $55,000 from the Seahawks. Media outlets described it as a “fat” bonus and a “hefty” bonus. They were describing the dollar value, rather than Lacy’s well-documented weight problem.

Seattle signed Lacy as a free agent and gave him a one-year deal of $5.55 million per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Guaranteed money was $3 million with numerous incentives making up the rest.

According to Mark Inabinett of al.com Lacy can earn up to $385,00 by reaching weight milestones this season. The first milestone was 255 pounds. Lacy weighed in at 253 pounds. In June Lacy must be at 250 pounds and September through December, his bonus-driven weight limit will be 245 pounds.

Last year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Lacy weighed 267 pounds. In the offseason, multiple unconfirmed reports said Lacy’s weight was approaching 280 pounds. In fairness to Lacy, he was injured last season and many players struggle with weight when their training is limited. He has not fully recovered from his ankle injury but is expected to do so over the summer.

Seattle wanted a big back and they met that need by signing Lacy. As reported by ESPN, Pete Carroll had this to say:

"“He looks awesome. He looks great, he’s huge. And he’s going to keep playing huge. He did a fantastic job. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s doing great. His attitude about it has been great. He’s worked with the support system that we put in place and [has been] highly successful.”"

As reported by al.com, Carroll also said:

"Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on Tuesday that the Seahawks envision Lacy playing with his weight in the 240s. “In those 40s, he’s really dangerous,” Carroll said. “We have a real (weight) target for him. We’ll be on it on a regular basis, and we’ll keep him in great shape.”"

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Seahawks and Alabama football fans are hoping the “circle button” can return to the player he was for Alabama in 2012 and his first two Green Bay seasons. Seattle’s sensible plan should be enough to keep Eddie from eating his way out of the NFL.