Montgomery, Cook Infuse Offense

During most of the back half of last season, the Green Bay Packers offense was front and center in the conversations about the team.  Most of those conversations centered around what was wrong and missing.  Without receiver Jordy Nelson and Ty Montgomery, the Packers fell from 6th in 2014 to 23rd in 2015, in terms of total yards and from 1st to 15th in total points scored during that same time.  The losses of both Nelson and Montgomery undoubtedly factored into that decline, as did the lack of a dynamic pass-catching tight end.  Yes, Richard Rodgers caught one of the most dramatic passes all season long, but the word "dynamic" does not suit him well.

While Nelson remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he continues his recovery from the torn ACL suffered nearly a year ago, the focus has shifted over to the other pass catchers on the roster.  Earlier this week, Montgomery came off of  the PUP list and practiced for the first time since his ankle injury.  Also cleared was Jared Cook, the free agent tight end acquired during the off season.  Both Montgomery and Cook reportedly had good practice sessions and each caught touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers.  What constitutes a "good" practice isn't clear here, but having the two back on the field was an encouraging sign.

Montgomery's return was most surprising as his injury was so severe and the surgery to repair was very intricate.  If he's able to get through a few days in a row without any setbacks, he could be a surprise return when it seemed almost certain that he would land on the regular season PUP list.  Last season before he was hurt, Montgomery had carved out a role as a receiver, kick returner and also took some snaps out of the backfield too.  His multi-faceted tool box was missed as the season wore on.  Cook's return was music to the ears of the team and fans everywhere, as he has not had much practice time in with the offense and most importantly, Rodgers.  

With some reports that Rodgers hasn't been as accurate as he has in the past, the hope is that with more of the regulars back, that will improve the comfort, rhythm and timing of the offense.  Now is the time to work out the kinks and polish everything up for when the games count for real, which is now less than a month away.  It's only a few practice sessions and yes, I remember very well the words of Allen Iverson with regards to too much discussion about practice.  But at least the return of Cook and Montgomery, the needle now points a bit straighter to the north as it relates to the offense and what it can be this season.

 

 

-------------------

Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (26)

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

August 12, 2016 at 05:36 am

Jason, your reference to Monty's "muti-faceted tool box" conjures up images of former Packer tight end Ed "Tool Box" West. Now THERE was a dynamic offensive threat. If Mr. Cook can provide even a fraction of the threat Mr. West did...look out!~

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

August 12, 2016 at 07:54 am

There needs to be a sarcasm emoticon...

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:41 am

Yeah, but TK did use the "~" symbol at the end. Other sites (especially Packers.com) use the ~~~~ symbols in their blogs to show sarcasm. :)

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:58 am

Ah...I learned something today! Thanks, Spock!

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 12, 2016 at 09:44 am

I thought TK has been around long enough that when you see TK, assume sarcasm and/or humor is likely to follow. Hope he never changes.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

August 12, 2016 at 05:57 am

Myself and others have all brought up how much the Packers Offense of 2015 tailed off after Montgomery's injury last year, he such a talented kid. He's built like a brick S**t house who when healthy brings so much versatility to the Offense. MM has been called "Predictable", matter of fact a team last year said they knew what was coming before the ball was snapped. Montgomery brings so many different things to the table to go with the other weapons on Offense, predictability shouldn't be a word we hear about the Packers Offense.

I had heard Wilde on ESPN talk about the first time Cook lined up with the Offense the Packers had Rich-Rod and Cook at TE, Cobb in the Backfield, and Adams and Janis out wide. I believe we'll see quite a few formations this season with 2 TE sets now that we have a TE who can clear out the middle of the field, and do it quickly. I re-watched the 2009 Playoff game against Arizona where Finley had his coming out party. Cook can have the same effect on this offense and a TE like Cook is essential in McCarthy's Offense. The possibility's with this group is endless, especially with Monty and Cook back.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

August 12, 2016 at 07:59 am

Donald Lee and Jermichael Finley...Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson...I love 2 TE sets, especially if both TEs are "multifunctional" (meaning they can threaten defenses in the passing game and they can block). Putting Cook on the field in a 2-2-1 alignment with Nelson, Cobb and Lacy should be a very productive set for this Packers team both through the air and on the ground.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 12, 2016 at 09:21 am

I like 2 TEs, too. Wish we had a 2nd TE who is multi-functional.

0 points
0
0
4EVER's picture

August 12, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Perfect...and a negative point...priceless!

0 points
0
0
Hematite's picture

August 12, 2016 at 06:01 am

As much as I'd like to be optimistic about Montgomery's health and availability, I'm just not.
Those severe ankle injuries like he had can be debilitating for years.
Hopefully his ankle will hold up but I'm worried.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

August 12, 2016 at 06:41 am

More time in the worry chair for you my friend.

0 points
0
0
Hematite's picture

August 13, 2016 at 10:43 am

I do spend a lot of time in the worry chair when it comes to t Green Bay Packers.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

August 14, 2016 at 09:23 am

Perhaps if you worry hard enough you can prevent all injuries? ~~~~~~~~~

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:18 am

There is incorrect information about Montgomery injury. That injury happened almost 11 months ago. He is young and he is in training. All injuries heals faster when person is trained (good shape & condition!) and young. Ty did not suffer ankle injury during the offseason. He had surgery in December last year. C'mon people... There is nothing surprising Ty is healthy enough to play at 100%. I listened when Ty was explaining what was going with him. He was explaining why he had to have surgery. Not his present situation. Only question is what will be consequences of that injury would be on Ty's performance if any...
His ankle will hold up.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:56 am

I think it's the extent of the injury, which we are only just in the last several weeks learning about...and the fact that the word "microfracture" was thrown in there has everyone pretty concerned about what level Montgomery will be able to play. Admittedly, microfracture surgery we usually associate with knees and that has serious implications for the future of a player, but I know nothing about how meaningful it can be for ankle injuries. I'm guessing it's not a walk in the park...

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

August 12, 2016 at 02:42 pm

This microfracture, you are talking about is part of the ankle injury which were not diagnosed immediately. That is why Packers tried to bring Ty back in games several times. After they failed they searches deeper and deeper at every occasion and finally found the main problem. And that is why surgery was performed! That is what kept Ty from coming back from the beginning of his injury!

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

August 12, 2016 at 07:41 am

I really like Monty as I see him as a Sharpe type of receiver. Frankly, I never thought he would get any practice time during training camp because of his ankle. So I can see several formations where Green Bay will take advantage of him and Cook during games.

0 points
0
0
Ibleedgreenmore's picture

August 12, 2016 at 11:04 am

He has that body style, power to burn and very strong.

0 points
0
0
Gianich's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:31 am

We need these guys. LAstnight I watched the Oakland game from the end of the season and the offense was putrid. If not for 2 early picks of Carr who knows what happened in that one as the offense had about 100 yards total at half. It was hard to watch and Arodge was frustrated. Janis sucked at WR with bad route depth and drops. Thumbs up; He was, however an absolute beast on Special Teams (returning and gunning) in that game as was Rip and Banjo. Those guys played a big role in keeping the pack in that game with their ST play. I was also impressed with Jake Ryan. He was flying around the field all game long so that had me really excited to see his next step. The offense was hard to even watch so Monty and Cook production will be very welcomed!

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

August 12, 2016 at 08:56 am

Thanks for the article Jason. 1 quibble though - while Rodgers wasn't awesome (by his standards) last year, by all accounts he's been amazing in camp so far. I expect MVP ARod this year.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 12, 2016 at 09:36 am

"Without receiver Jordy Nelson and Ty Montgomery, the Packers fell from 6th in 2014 to 23rd in 2015...."

Massive logical fallacy here, since we didn't have Monty in 2014. Monty had 3 drops in his first 2 practices - perhaps a consequence of a long layoff - but it also hearkens back to scouting reports regarding a serious problem with drops in college. I watched his tape and he had a lot of drops in college.

As noted above, it sounds like AR has made a lot of tremendous throws in practice.

0 points
0
0
Brobeans93's picture

August 12, 2016 at 10:39 am

Where in the world are these reports that Rodgers has been inaccurate? It seems like they report on at least two crazy throws each session.

0 points
0
0
jasonperone's picture

August 14, 2016 at 08:25 am

A lot of that comes from the beat writers and the segments they do on the talk shows each week. Paul Imig, Mike Clemens to name a few. Rodgers makes plenty of great throws as well, but they're noting that he's missing in situations he used to be so good in: short yardage, goal line with a wide open slant, etc. I listen to as much content as I can and I sometimes forget that not everyone does the same. Depending on how much and who you read, Rodgers may walk on water. All good.

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

August 12, 2016 at 01:09 pm

As reported by COW and Bearmeat , Rodgers best is behind him.

0 points
0
0
Brobeans93's picture

August 12, 2016 at 02:34 pm

They said that about Tom Brady.. How did that turnout?

0 points
0
0
zeke's picture

August 13, 2016 at 06:45 am

Ignorant posts, on the other hand...

0 points
0
0