Green Bay Packers Player Profile: Ty Montgomery
By Dan Kasper
When the Green Bay Packers drafted Ty Montgomery with their third-round selection in this year’s draft, the pick initially confused fans. The Packers had, again, bypassed another inside linebacker. Instead they drafted a player who played a position that was already a strength for the Packers. Some fans were confused and even upset.
The more fans started to read about and watch film on Montgomery, that feeling started to change from anger and confusion to excitement.
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Montgomery brings a dynamic element to a Packers offense that was already one of the best in the league. Adding Montgomery to the Packers offense not only gives Aaron Rodgers another receiving threat, it makes the Packers even more dangerous and difficult for opposing defenses to defend.
Montgomery will be able to help the Packers in various ways. The Packers would like to mold Montgomery into their primary return guy and he will flourish in that role. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t see Montgomery getting snaps with the offense.
Montgomery did miss the Packers OTAs, but he was able to get some practice time in at minicamp. By all accounts, Montgomery was impressive during minicamp and looked ready for training camp. The Packers will have a battle for the fourth wide receiver spot between Montgomery, Jeff Janis, and Jared Abbrederis.
There is no question Montgomery will make the team, but how much playing time he gets will depend on how well he does with the upcoming training camp. How quickly he is able to develop a chemistry with Rodgers and make plays in training camp and preseason will determine how much confidence the Packers have to insert him into the offense right away.
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Montgomery has been considered a bigger Randall Cobb. Being compared to a player like Cobb is a great compliment in itself, however, being considered a bigger version should cause opponents worry. Montgomery will be used in a myriad of ways that the Packers have used, and will continue to use, Cobb in their offense.
Montgomery is such a dynamic player that you shouldn’t be surprised to see him lined up in the slot, on the outside, and even in the backfield like we have seen the Packers utilize Cobb. Montgomery can be used in many different way to hurt opposing defenses, so expect to see the Packers expose his talent in that way.
One of the biggest weaknesses the Packers had last year was their inability to score touchdowns in the red zone. Everyone remembers all the field goals the Packers opted to kick instead of going for it on fourth down against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. It’s an area of the offense the Packers have to improve.
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Adding Montgomery to the mix will help the Packers in the red zone. Coming to the line of scrimmage with a package that includes Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Cobb, Montgomery, and Eddie Lacy in the backfield will make it difficult for the defense to predict who Aaron Rodgers will give the ball to.
So even though the Packers bypassed some inside linebackers in the draft in order to draft Montgomery, Packer fans should be excited to see what Montgomery brings to the table. General manager Ted Thompson’s track record for drafting receivers speaks for itself.
Montgomery should improve a special teams unit that has been looking for a stable returner instead of using Cobb all the time. Montgomery can provide that stability and playmaking ability in the return game. Adding a versatile playmaker like Montgomery to the offense gives the Packers the ability to be creative and unpredictable.
The offense is the staple for this Packers team and fans should expect to see them flourish with the addition of Montgomery.
Pairing Montgomery with the Packers and that offense just isn’t fair if you’re a defense going up against that unit. Packer fans, you should be able to enjoy an explosive and exciting offense this year.
Next: Casey Hayward Player Profile