It would seem the Green Bay Packers have some questions at running back they need to address. Ty Montgomery is not one of those questions.
After switching positions in the middle of the 2016 season, the former receiver will enter 2017 as a full-time running back. And why wouldn’t he?
The Packers used Montgomery sparingly (an understatement if there ever was one) at receiver in 2016. Then the guy ended up leading the team in rushing with 457 yards, while averaging 5.9 per carry.
That last number suggests Montgomery could be a significant factor as a runner. However, the fact that he got just 77 carries on the season suggests Mike McCarthy is hesitant to hand him the ball.
Can Montgomery carry the load of a No. 1 running back (which for the Packers would be about 15 carries a game, tops)? Left tackle David Bakhtiari suggested he can.
“He’s a natural runner,” Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari said. “People take the idea of being a wide receiver a little too literal. He was a big wide receiver, almost 230 (pounds). He’s solid. So when we saw him running, able to break tackles, he looked natural. He’s just an athlete. You put him in a spot and he’ll mold to that.”
All of that’s true. Montgomery is definitely athletic, but what we didn’t expect was his ability to break tackles as a runner. That contributed to that almost six-yards-per-carry average.
Ideally, the Packers would have someone to package with Montgomery, if for no other reason than injuries, which bog Mike McCarthy’s teams down each and every year.
Who would that guy be?
Eddie Lacy would be a fine addition to a one-two punch if he’s healthy. Lacy was averaging 5.5 per carry before injuring his ankle and finishing the year on injured reserve. The Packers could literally bludgeon a defense with a Lacy-Montgomery duo.
Of course, Lacy is a free agent and would need to be re-signed.
The other options aren’t so appealing. Christine Michael is erratic and there’s a reason he’s bounced around the league so much. James Starks, who finished the season with a severe concussion, wasn’t effective in the least when he was healthy.
Both of those players should be gone.
That leaves the Packers with just Montgomery and a hole to fill. It could be Lacy, but it will need to be filled by someone.
I saw a mock draft that projected a running back (McCaffrey) to GB in the first round. I don’t like that. RB is not a “first round” need in GB because that position is underutilized. Lacy has potential, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype and maybe he could be re-signed if the price is right. I very much would like to see the Montgomery / Lacy duo, especially if Lacy can play at a reasonable weight. If he is not the featured back, maybe an extra few pounds would not be as hard on his body. The key to that is a “few” extra pounds. We don’t need a 275 pound running back.
So giving that Lacy option a thought, what’s Lacy’s potential free agent market value, 4, 5 million?
I’m not a draft guru or expert talent evaluator like Ted. But wouldn’t taking a power runner for the NFL minimum in later rounds sound feasible?
We need someone who can “hopefully” get that 1,2,3 yards and extend the drive on 3rd down and short, and eat clock when we need it. You’d think Lacy would be that guy, but how many times does that fail?
And as long as were being honest with ourselves. In nobody’s world is Lacy a 5 yard average back. He wasn’t that when he was even in shape. Just because he’s averaged 5.1 yards in 3 games. That doesn’t mean that he’s a 5 yard back. BTW, he didn’t average 5.5 ypc Joe….but whatever.
Lastly, what does lacy weigh? Does he come into camp as fat Eddie? We have no clue.
The bottom line is, as a team……You can’t commit anywhere near 4. or 5 million a year for Lacy. When he can’t even commit to get in shape.
*5 games
I….. actually agree with this 100%
Well, one of us has to write post that make sense.
And no kid…writing articles saying Rodgers is finished, and that we should trade him and start Hundley isn’t making sense. But i’m sure you gave many of us a nice chuckle writing that.
Let Lacy walk, some team will overpay for a guy whose hearts not in it. A late round knock like Starks will be a perfect supplement to Montgomery. Montgomery would do great if he’s utilized the way Atlanta uses their pass catchers out of the backfield. We’ve known since Grant this team doesn’t need a true RB1, just someone capable of pass pro and catching the D off guard with the run. We’re a pass first team and I think we finally saw that come to fruition towards the end of the season. With a decent secondary we will be dangerous putting points on the board and forcing teams to pass to catch up.
And trust me, Montgomery is really, really raw at pass protection and picking up blitzes. and i’m putting it nicely.
What difference does it make? It wouldn’t matter if Mike McCarthy had Earl Campbell in the backfield he still wouldn’t allow him to carry the load. Look at Eddie Lacy’s numbers. Only his rookie season was he ever utilized to capability. And then Mike McCarthy became what he is and always has been, a guy who’s unwilling and unable to utilize the run even when it’s working.
Packers could have one the best running games in the NFL next season, or at least one of the most efficient. I’m AMAZED people are so quick to think Eddie Lacy is disposable. Having Montgomery, Lacy and Ripkowski together could make for one of the best RB corps in the NFL. It’s actually about as good as you could possible hope for. While technically we could be fine without Lacy, this team’s injury history proves we would be wise to retain him. But even if we knew Ty wouldn’t get injured, you want to have two very talented running backs that can equally carry the load, and stay fresh. And Lacy is the only one proven to be effective in pass protection anyway. That’s a BIG part of MM’s offense.
If we get another talented WR, this offense will have absolutely no weaknesses next year. Keeping Lacy could be another key to that dominant offense.
I don’t think Lacy would come at the right price. I don’t trust him to be committed to the game.
CHAD, i’m not amazed that people question the need to sign Lacy and commit millions to him.
What AMAZES me is that a talent like Lacy is seemingly to immature to take his career seriously.