Ty Montgomery Is the Packers’ Offensive Workhorse

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Michael Cohen unearthed some interesting stats about Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery. After just two weeks, Montgomery has had far more offensive snaps than any other running back in the league. His 139 snaps exceeds such players as the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott (123, ranked second), the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell (111), the Broncos’ C.J. Anderson (104), the Rams’ Todd Gurley (92), and the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook (88).

The inevitable question of course is whether Montgomery will be able to withstand the workload. Being just 24 years old and without a lot of NFL mileage on him, will certainly help.

When asked about it, Ty responded: “I feel good. My body feels good. And obviously I’m thankful and blessed to have a role in this offense.”

While Montgomery’s yards per rush is unimpressive, he still accounts for a good percentage of Green Bay’s offense. Through two games — against high-quality opponents — Montgomery has rushed for 89 yards in 29 attempts, barely over three yards a carry. However, he’s also caught 10 passes for 114 yards.

That gives him a total of 203 of the team’s 737 yards of offensive output. Also, only once in 11 throws has Aaron Rodgers failed to connect with Montgomery.

I’m confident Montgomery’s yardage and per carry average will go up as the schedule eases up. Getting the starting tackles back on the field won’t hurt either.

The Packers have so far been reluctant to share the rushing load. Rookie Jamaal Williams has but four carries for 15 yards. More upsetting to me is that rough-tough Aaron Ripkowski has yet to get a carry. He proved last year that he’s more than just a blocking back, averaging 4.4 yards per carry (34 for 150 yards), and looking good on several pass receptions too — nine in the regular season and four more in the postseason.

Unfortunately, coach Mike McCarthy seems to have forgotten all that. Squandering talent is hardly a rarity during the McCarthy era.