Ty Montgomery’s Diminishing Value:

One member of the Green Bay Packers that saw his season cut short due to injury was third year running back Ty Montgomery.  During his three year career, Montgomery has spent much of his time rehabbing from injuries and working hard just to get back on the field.  Heading into his all important fourth season in the league, Montgomery knows that because of injuries, his career with the Packers and in the NFL, for that matter hangs in the balance.  

It is essential that he stay healthy and maximize his on the field production.  The good news for Ty Montgomery, is that when healthy he provides the Packers with a very versatile skill set that can make him a difference maker on both offense and special teams which makes him vital to the Packers success. 

Ty Montgomery is a high character individual who can really make an impact in the effort of changing the somewhat dysfunctional culture that we all witnessed inside of the Packers organization last season.  He is a team first player that does all of the intangible things well and possesses a very high football I.Q.  With the emergence of Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones this season, it is safe to say that Montgomery has lost his starting running back job moving forward, but, by no means, does that mean should we count him out.  

Ways Ty Montgomery Could Help the Packers in 2018:

A different look at running back: 

Ty still can be used as a change of pace runner throughout the game.  Montgommery could provide the Packers rushing attack with an end of the game knock out punch.  He would force defenses to see a different style of running from the tandem of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams.  His field vision,  patient running style, and ball security will allow the Packers to use him in crucial third down and end of the game situations  

A threat in the screen game: 

Montgomery will provide another option in the screen game, by giving Aaron Rodgers another reliable target that can properly execute a screen play from both the running back and wide receiver positions. In limited action this season, Montgomery still managed to catch 23 passes for 173 yards, 1 touchdown and averaged a productive, 7.5 yards per catch, primarily out of the backfield.  

A versatile but limited option at wide receiver: 

Montgomery has already proven to be a reliable target to Aaron Rodgers in the passing game as a wide receiver.  In 2016, Montgomery caught 44 balls for 348 yards averaging 7.9 yards per catch, which further displayed his value as a possession receiver.  He can be utilized at both the inside and outside positions in four or five receiver sets and can provide value in the slant game, sideline possession routes, and intermediate crossing patterns.

A versatile option in the special teams game:

I believe that Ty Montgomery will have to make his mark on special teams in order to carve out a permanent role for himself with the Packers moving forward.  The Packers can utilize Ty Montgomery’s football intelligence in the punt return game, kick return game, kick off coverage game, and punt coverage game.

In the return games, Montgomery will be able to provide with consistency by making better decisions about when to return the ball and when to let it go/take a knee, while still possessing adequate speed and vision to use his blockers and burst through holes in order to accumulate valuable return yards.

The Packers could reap the benefit of Montgomery’s presence on special teams if they can successfully convert him into a gunner on punt returns and kick offs. He possesses the speed, athleticism and mentality to be a successful gunner, and get down the field to make quick tackles and pin the ball deep in the opponents territory.

Montgomery’s ability to adapt to this new position once again could not only stabilize but allow the Packers to excel on special teams this season.  By fully maximizing Ty Montgomery’s versatility, the Packers could have a Matthew Slater like player on their hands for the 2018 season.  

Over the past two seasons the Packers have drafted both running backs and wide receivers who they hope can contribute for years to come which could force Montgomery to have to fight for one of the final positions on the roster.  His diminishing role is by no fault of his own, as the NFL is a brutal sport that takes a tremendous tole on the body week in and week out.

If he is able to take to multiple roles on the special teams unit, Montgomery could prove to be an extremely valuable member of the Packers roster and extend his stay in Green Bay for the foreseeable future.  

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David Michalski is a recent college graduate from Princeton New Jersey who has been a life long Green Bay Packers fan. Like the great Vince Lombardi, he values God, family, and the Green Bay Packers in that order. You can follow him on twitter at @kilbas27dave

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