Carroll and general manager John Schneider have long maintained that for the Seahawks to be their best, they need to not just run the ball well, but have a physical presence in the running game, which is why they wanted to add a physical back like Lacy.
“That’s who we are and that’s who we want to continue to be, so that’s why we made this move,” Carroll said on the John Clayton Show.
On the Lacy signing in particular, Carroll said, “We’re excited. We’ve really respected his play, even going back to (the 2013 draft), because of the way he plays the game. He’s really tough, he’s physical, he’s a big load. He’s a big back in classic fashion, so he’s an exciting guy to add to the mix.
“Not everybody can be big and tough and strong, some guys are a different style, but when you’ve got one, man, it’s really special,” Carroll said. “We went all those years with Marshawn (Lynch), and everybody knew what we stood for and the style of play, so I’m hoping to just continue to add with Eddie and the way Thomas brings it, that’s a great one-two punch sending a message about playing tough and physical. That’s who we are and that’s who we want to continue to be, so that’s why we made this move.”
“Eddie’s a terrific hand-eye guy. He can catch the football like crazy, he can run routes. People don’t necessarily see him that way, but it’s that all-around athleticism that kind of makes them such dynamic players. So we’re hoping we can bring out the very best of him.”
As for concerns about Lacy’s weight, something that at times was an issue for him in Green Bay, Carroll wants Lacy to be big, but in shape.
“He’s a big back, he’s a big guy,” Carroll said. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but there will be a real concerted effort to make sure he’s at his very best. This is a hard time for him because he’s working some rehab right now, but he is well aware of our expectations and the standard that we’re setting. We would not have done this if we didn’t have a really clear understanding of how we’re going to go forward. This is a big deal for him, it’s a one-year contract for him. This is a chance for him to prove it and show where he is in the league and how he fits in and how he can work to secure a good future for himself. He knows all of that, and coming here is really something he’s pumped up about, because he knows how we see it too. We’re going to get him in great shape, we’re going to get him to show him at his very best. There’s a weight in there that’s a really good spot for him that he’s working towards, and we’ll do a nice job with that.”
on him 
