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Green Bay Packers will test Ty Montgomery early

By Keegan Matheson

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When the Green Bay Packers kick off their preseason schedule against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, expect to see a steady dose of rookie wide receiver Ty Montgomery. According to Rand Getlin of NFL Network, Montgomery has impressed the Green Bay Packers coaching staff early in camp  and will will receive work in multiple special teams phases on top of his offensive duties.


Moreso than any rookie on this Packers roster, I expect Montgomery to surprise viewers throughout the preseason by looking more comfortable and advanced than expected. I still feel that many fans aren’t quite sure what Green Bay has in Montgomery, but I’m not talking strictly in terms of talent.

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Much like we subconsciously picture Michael Vick when we hear “mobile quarterback” instead of jumping to a Cam Newton or Andrew Luck body type, we’re prone to assume a physical stature like DeSean Jackson’s when picturing a “return man”. This isn’t the case with Montgomery, who looks to be every ounce of the 6’0″, 221-pound frame that he measured in with at the NFL Combine. Montgomery is thick throughout, with a muscular power that separates him from the Jackson-esque speedsters.

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This isn’t to say he’s of a greater talent by any means, just a different talent, and it’s for this reason that I still hope to see Montgomery used out of the backfield throughout training camp and into regular season. The Packers have shown a tendency to do this with Randall Cobb in passing situations, but sliding Montgomery into that role would spread opposing defenses even thinner.

Slotting a receiver into the backfield became somewhat of a defense mechanism for the Packers in 2014, most notably against the Buffalo Bills on the road. Nothing was working offensively for Green Bay in that game as their top two receiving options were stifled out wide, which led to Cobb getting looks at tailback. Replace him with Montgomery in that situation, and Green Bay will be left with Cobb, Nelson and Adams still creating havoc from their traditional positions while the rookie attacks slower linebackers.

The build of Montgomery’s lower body leaves me encouraged that he could take more traditional running back handoffs as well, perhaps the odd end-around, but that’s getting a bit greedy. With their top three receiver options, Green Bay does have the luxury of creativity in passing situations, and if Montgomery can show a little life as a blocker, he could open up the playbook as a moveable chess piece.

My statistical expectations for Montgomery remain fairly cautious, but his style of play should produce an impact on the game greater than his numbers, at least in year one as he’s slowly integrated. Prepare for a very close look at the rookie in the preseason opener, but don’t blink, he could be lining up anywhere.

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