Green and Bold: Make No Mistake, Ty Montgomery is THE Guy

 It's time to stop asking if Montgomery is capable of being a workhorse back for the Packers and start paying attention to the strides he continues to make at the position. 

Can Ty Montgomery handle the duties expected of him as the Green Bay Packers' primary running back in 2017?

Next question, please. 

In all seriousness, it's time to stop asking if Montgomery is capable of being a workhorse back for the Packers and start paying attention to the strides he continues to make at the position. 

Montgomery is looking great as the Packers progress through OTAs (and, yes, he's still wearing No. 88). The 6'0" receiver-turned-running back remains at 220 pounds, his playing weight from last season after switching to running back, per Ryan Wood of the Press-Gazette

Though he has barely played the position full-time for a season, Montgomery was seen leading the young running backs (which the Packers now have an abundance of, having drafted three alone: Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, and Devante Mays) during OTAs, displaying a natural ease transitioning into a leadership role despite being green himself:

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (40)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
PackEyedOptimist's picture

May 24, 2017 at 06:41 am

I can't wait to see Ty as the featured back, with Jamaal as the change-of-pace!

Michelle, do you know who is practicing at KR and PR? I haven't seen it anywhere

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

May 24, 2017 at 06:48 am

The only knock on Montgomery that I've heard anyone say is, "he hasn't done it." He hasn't taken the beating of getting 15-20 carries a game for a full season. OK. Can't argue with that. I guess. There is no way to prove it wrong. And if he gets injured (and everyone in the NFL gets injured - it is just a matter of how badly) then the naysayers will point to that and say, "See, I told you so." So yeah, being a doubter is a safe bet.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:49 am

RB is a position that is hard to play. They take a pounding down after down. Virtually every RB that plays misses time. It kind of goes with the position.

While Montgomery will be the guy and will be the main ball carrier I don't think we see him get above 15 carries that much. Last year he carried the ball more then 10 times only 1 time. In his 4 years with Green Bay, Lacy carried the ball 15 or more times 11 times in 2013, 6 times in 2014, 5 times in 2015, and 2 times in 2016.
If I were to guess he will get a bout 10-15 carries and about 5-10 receptions a game. But the receptions will take less of a toll on his body.

I expect to see plenty of the rookies to contribute with Ty in the backfield.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:30 am

I'll add to that -- it almost seems impossible that some backs are super-durable. Never miss time. Never seem to get more than a nick here or a bruise there. Somehow they know how to run low, minimize contact, and when a run is over so they don't take extra punishment. There have been some very physical runners who never seemed to miss times. Then you've got the backs who are always missing time even on limited snaps and contact.

This is part of why I wanted no part of Corey Clement: guy was always dinged and missing time. Productive when he played, but didn't seem to know how to not get hurt. I might even argue that for a physical back, he lacked toughness. He's not a guy I want as a primary ball carrier. I'm concerned by the number of dings that Monty took last year, but as he matures as a runner, he'll hopefully get smarter and develop skills that minimize the dings. I suspect his role as a "feature back" won't mean more than about 15 carries per game. That seems to be how MM likes to operate. Even a "workhorse" type back like Lacy rarely seemed to top 20 carries.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

May 24, 2017 at 06:51 am

I read on another site Montgomery was actually a little bigger this year, the words they used to describe him was "Jacked Up". Last year he was listed at 216 on packers.com so he's possibly at least a little bigger. So he's a shade over 6 feet tall and 220 pounds of muscle on muscle. Can we please stop with the "He's not big enough to be an every down RB".? Compare him to other starting RB's around the NFL. He's big enough!

What Montgomery was able to accomplish last year at RB was really pretty impressive when you think about it. To be able to come in and play a position where you get the snot knocked out of you on just about every play, and play it as well as he did IS impressive. Now with a full offseason of training both physically and mentally and the additions of 3 drafted RB and a few UDFA RB, Monty has competition. IMO the Packers would be best if Williams or Jones was able to complement Montgomery, much like Starks did in 2014 with Lacy. But at the end of the day if Ty Montgomery is called upon to be THE MAN, I don't have a doubt he can handle it.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:33 am

I saw that he was "Jacked up" this year. But everywhere I have read he weighed 220 last year.

I completely agree about him not being big enough. He really is comparable to Leveon Bell in his height/weight. Bell is 6'1 225. Montgomery is 6' 220.

The thing that really impressed me with Montgomery though was he never seemed to really take a big shot. He has the ability to get small and not take big hits.
While Montgomery will be the featured back, the rookies will get plenty of opportunities.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:32 am

True, but Monty likes to work to extend runs, which (IMO) leaves him susceptible to the awkward hits that turn into ankle and knee injuries (like in the ATL playoff game). It may mean he makes more big plays, but it might also mean he misses more snaps, than the average RB.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

May 24, 2017 at 05:13 pm

I know his yards after contact was pretty high as well as his yards per carry. I'm just really curious to see how he performs this season. I'm not suggesting you say it but it's really remarkable how many people act as though this guy is fragile as a china doll because he's "only 6 feel tall & 220 pounds". I'm not going to list them because the list is LONG, but there are a lot of RB's in the NFL as big or smaller than Montgomery who aren't questioned or doubted they can make it through a season because of their size. It will be interesting to see how he "Holds Up" after training for the position.

Montgomery is actually bigger than Jammal Williams by 10 pounds and Williams as being talked about as a strong between the tackles RB.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

May 24, 2017 at 04:59 pm

On Packers.com they list him at 216 and that's what they were going off of. His weight has been anywhere from 211 to 221, depending where you look.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2017 at 08:49 am

I agree completely - Monty can play RB at 6'0" 220, given what the Packers want out of him in this offense. He'll get 10-15 carries max, and catch passes out of the backfield. My only minimal concern is, can he get used to picking up blitz adjustments and be effective?

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 08:30 am

I thought he did a pretty good job of picking up blitzes last year considering he never did it before.
I think its an area that he could improve at with an offseason to learn the proper techniques.

To be honest though. I hope we don't see Montgomery blocking a lot. His talents as a receiver are to good to be used as a blocker. He will have to do it some, I just would rather see him with the ball in his hands or running routes drawing the attention of others more often.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2017 at 08:52 am

Defenses will play cat/mouse with adjustments to put the Pack in unfavorable matchups where they will force them to max protect with line checks. The key will be whether Rodgers can check to a play to exploit the defensive shifts. MIND GAMES at the LOS. Gonna be interesting for sure.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 09:30 am

Oh definitely... Its a chess game for sure.

I understand that he will have to block and defenses will force him to at times.
I'm just hoping that they don't game plan him to do it more then he would be used in the passing game.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2017 at 09:46 am

You got to hand it to TT to find a guy this smart, and this versatile.
Monty has the makings of a very indispensable player for the Packers.
You listen to him talk - this is a smart, calm dude. It was a real loss when he got injured in his rookie season because he was really coming on at the time. So if TT is finding guys like this on offense, then how is it that there's not a few of these on defense? I'd say there are, but aren't being coached properly. But I digress - to the weakest part of the chain that is the GB team.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:36 am

He's Stanford smart AND football smart. Near as I can tell, a quality guy and a hard worker. You point out his rookie year, and it was remarkable that he was progressing so rapidly that he seemed to be carving out a niche at that point. The offense was taking on water with Nelson's injury, but it was when Monty got hurt that it really went into the tank in 2015. Maybe it was just lack of options or maybe it was losing what he brought to the table.

0 points
0
0
Bedrock's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:02 pm

You mean, like I wrote before you posted? ;)

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:25 am

Montgomery is the guy!

The difference he made at RB after he started playing there was incredible. His abilities really opened up the offense and honestly got the offense going after it kind of struggled in the beginning of the year.

What I really like about Montgomery is his ability to run with patience, and explode through the tiniest of holes. He makes people miss and runs through arm tackles with ease. And also he is a threat to go 20+ yards every time he touches the ball. We haven't had a running back that was able to do those types of things since Ahman Green.

Add in his ability to be a matchup problem as a receiver out of the backfield is what really gives the offense a matchup nightmare. Add in the 2 threats at TE and the offense could be lethal this year.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:45 am

I believe that Ty love playing RB as much as he loves football. So, I expect him to be true leader of the rest of RB group...

0 points
0
0
egbertsouse's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:47 am

The guy has had a couple of good games. He passes the eye test so far. I'm still not ready to anoint him as the answer until I see more. I'm still worried about his durability.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:38 am

I'm with you. I don't think he's a workhorse back, although he could grow into a poor man's David Johnson (who brings a very diversified skill set to the table). That's where Monty's value will be--forcing defenses to defend more and more options--not in pounding the rock.

0 points
0
0
Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:48 am

I've never questioned whether Montgomery is big enough. My question is whether he can hold up with 20 touches per game. Some little guys can take the pounding, while some bigger guys can't. It varies.

Maybe Montgomery can, maybe he can't. We'll see. I'm just glad we've got a deep young bench behind him.

0 points
0
0
Christopher Gennaro's picture

May 24, 2017 at 04:08 pm

Not sure what this 20 touches a game thing is? We are talking about MM offence right? Sorry couldn't stop himself, i'll show myself out

0 points
0
0
Bedrock's picture

May 24, 2017 at 07:49 am

No problems with his running. It's the pass blocking and the consistency he shows do so...that is the question. Can Rodgers trust blitz pickups or will we see happy feet?

0 points
0
0
Savage57's picture

May 24, 2017 at 08:17 am

What I noticed about Monty was his patience and vision in the middle of the field as he moved into the second level. Most of a RB's success at the first level is a product of the line's movement and the RB's ability to understand it. What he does after that is where you see the unique ability and why I think the average YPC is so high.

I'm not saying he's Le'Veon Bell or anything, but he kind of reminds me of him when he runs.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

May 24, 2017 at 01:39 pm

I also saw the article mentioning how he was a bit bigger and possibly added some muscle. All I can say is that it is nice to see a RB, actually come into camp in better shape, especially after all the Lacy drama.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

May 24, 2017 at 08:37 am

If Bill Belichick had moved Monty to RB it would have been called the smartest move of the century. Because it's MM and in Green Bay, it's met with ho-hum nothing here to report. Let's see what he does as a full time RB.
The ONLY issue I see as a possible negative is that Monty will over-think his new role and not be as instinctive a runner as he showed last year. His short TD runs made a believer of me. Lacy pounds and often got nowhere; Monty looked for the crease and went without hesitation. Monty is very patience and has power behind his pads. So yes Monty is the guy and it will take a great runner to knock him out of that position. You can wonder how and why a receiver was made into a RB, but it's hard to argue the results.

0 points
0
0
LayingTheLawe's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:32 am

Given all the players added at this position in the draft it seems the Packers themselves might not agree with the authors assertion on this one.

0 points
0
0
Grandfathered's picture

May 24, 2017 at 11:28 pm

Agree. The undrafted RBs are said to be contenders also. Packers like to give their draft choices the benefit of the doubt, but how many RBs and FBs will they keep? I give Monty 10 carries and 3 receptions average.

0 points
0
0
BPEARSON21's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:36 am

The common concern is that Ty "Can't hold up to 18-20 touches a game" but that's not what we need out of him. We're a pass first team and I would be salty if we ran any running back more than 12-15 times a game because every play we run the ball is one less pass play for Rodgers.

Montgomery will never be asked to "carry the load" offensively. His first priority as a running back in Green Bay is to effectively pass block for A-rod. After that, give us quality runs 9-12 times a game (at most) and catch a few passes out of the backfield.

The concern of whether or not he can "take the beating" is irrelevant because his work load will never be 15-20 carries in a game. If he did get 15-20 carries in a game the concern would be "why the hell did we run the ball 20 times."

0 points
0
0
al bundy's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:40 am

I read un comfirmed , that three new running backs were in a car at 3:39 am doing 110 driven by a packer onthe practice squad. If so were talking rocket scientists all around. Guys spielman would never take, too stupid to learn

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 10:48 am

If you're being half-way serious, I'd like to think that you're smart enough not to waste our time with "unconfirmed reports".

I was waiting for a punch line...there apparently isn't one.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2017 at 11:00 am

It was the DB, Whitehead that was driving, the others were passengers.
And you know what I say to this? Big deal. I've had speeding tickets too - not 110, but pretty high.
And I have driven that fast down I-65 on the way to FL or AL, but so were 25% of the other cars. Just didn't get caught.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

May 25, 2017 at 05:52 am

Wasn't it Spielman who kept Peterson after was busted for the incident with his little boy? Any GM worth his salt would have gotten rid of Peterson the second the legal proceedings were over.

Perhaps I'm the only one who feels this strongly about that whole thing but to whip a small child in the privates or anywhere else for that matter with a tree branch is IMO grounds for being banned from the NFL for life. No HOF Jacket, no nothing, you don't pass go!

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

May 24, 2017 at 12:07 pm

On Packers.com Ty says he played at about 216 last year at receiver, but had trouble keeping that weight down as his "natural" weight is close to 220 lbs. He also said he's doing more RB weight lifting this year and his film work is helping him see things more from a RB's perspective. He seems to indicate that he will trust his instincts but his new knowledge of certain reads will make him even more effective. Can't wait to see that!!!
Also, saw confirmation from two sources (Packerswire, PackerNews) about Whitehead's speeding ticket with 3 teammates in the car (sigh). Interesting to learn that Rollins had groin surgery after the season from the same doctor who did Randell's. Any doubt about the two of them playing hurt last year now?

0 points
0
0
Dzehren's picture

May 24, 2017 at 12:08 pm

It's going to be RB by committee & I'm fine with it. The rookies will need to pick up blitzes and be assignment sure with AROD in control to see the field

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

May 24, 2017 at 12:20 pm

It's more and more of an RBBC league. Very few teams have traditional bell-cow runners or guys who are truly 3-down backs. Could Monty be that kind of guy? Possibly. But MM just doesn't tend to use his backs that way.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:00 am

It it's not just about body weight it's about body type as well, you can't compare Montgomery to Green regardless of the weight.

0 points
0
0
Ferrari Driver's picture

May 24, 2017 at 06:31 pm

One of the sites listed us as number 32 in the league regarding running backs.

I tend to be optimistic and expect the Packers to be closer to the middle of the league as the season progresses.

Our running backs will be operating with one of the better offensive lines and perhaps the best quarterback and a loaded set of receivers/TE's which will force a lot of 2 highs and dropping line backers. Perfect prescription for some wide open running lanes and big yardage.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 24, 2017 at 09:39 pm

I like Monty as our primary RB. I don't think Monty is the most elusive RB in the NFL, nor do I think he is going to lead the NFL in breaking tackles in 2017 or average 5.9 yards per carry.

The stats suggest that Monty is capable of breaking a tackle and making someone miss, and that is great, but we need to temper expectations.

0 points
0
0
Arthur Jackson's picture

June 01, 2017 at 12:04 pm

If he is isn't injured Monty will be great. Not an Ahman Green running the ball sure, but Ahman Green was a phenom. 4.22 forty, 38.5" vertical and a 10'-9" broad jump. Best packer runner I've ever seen. And as good if not better than guys like LT, Alexander, Holms who were his contemporaries. Packer run blocking during his time wasn't any better than now; Green just broke tackles and ran with such power. We were spoiled as fans with the way he picked up those 3rd and 1's. The packers led the league two or three years in a row despite him often getting hit in the backfield on those plays.

But to speak of Montgomery the article says he set a PFF record for yards after contact so I don't buy any bullshit about teams not respecting his running ability or playing the run. He came out of college built like a running back and when the ball was in his hands he ran like a running back. His forty time says he won't be the home run guy Green was, but he is a far better receiver than Green. Green was a 'get a short pass in his hands and let him go to work' work guy whereas Montgomery is a 'it's a running down and our defense is ready for the run WTF? he's lining up as receiver?' kind of guy.

20 carries a game is not that important. Since the 16 game seasons started less than 3 RBs a year play all 16 games and average 20 or more carries a game. Drop the games played to 75% or more and we still only find about 4.5 RBs per a season doing it. Very few who did it in three different seasons or more.

0 points
0
0