Green Bay Packers: Can Christine Michael Finally Fulfill Potential?
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers have brought Christine Michael back to the team, but how will he compliment Ty Montgomery and will he ever fulfill his potential?
The Green Bay Packers offense is centered around Aaron Rodgers, that much is obvious. However, that doesn’t mean a healthy dose of solid running backs isn’t necessary to the team’s success.
Last season, the Packers appeared to have found their starting running back in Ty Montgomery. The former wide receiver became a pass-catching nightmare out of the backfield for opposing defenses. He managed to average a very strong 5.9 yards per carry as well.
After Montgomery, the Packers seemed a little lost though. Christine Michael was with the team last season, but didn’t contribute much. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry, and ran for one touchdown. His time with the Seattle Seahawks last season was much different though. Michael averaged 4.0 yards per carry, and reached the end zone six times via the ground. He racked up 20 receptions and one receiving touchdown as well.
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Michael’s role with the team is simple. He’s the change-of-pace back. Montgomery will be expected to take on the load of the receptions, and help the Packers march down the field on most occasions. Michael will be expected to use his size (5-10, 221 pounds) to help the Packers move the chains and push the ball into the end zone. Short yardage will be the name of the game. In that role, Michael may finally find his niche in the NFL.
The 26-year-old has never gotten many carries. In 2016 he ran the ball 148 times. That’s more than the 106 times he carried it in the three previous seasons before that. While he still shouldn’t’ expect a 250-plus carry season, he can expect to see the field more often that usual.
The Packers will want to use Montgomery heavily thanks to his proclivity for catching the ball. Michael gives them a much better chance for positive yards though. Due to that, he’ll be on the field often in and-short situations.
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Thanks to a defined role for the first time in his career, Michael might finally reach his potential, and become the tank back the Packers need. At least that’s the hope as he returns for another season in Green Bay.