Cory's Corner: Ty Montgomery Belongs at Tight End
So what to do with a guy that transformed his body into a muscled Humvee? You turn him into a tight end.
Ty Montgomery is arguably the Packers’ biggest mystery.
A year ago, he went from the team’s featured running back to being forgotten when rookies Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones ran with their opportunity by showcasing a burst, wiggle and power that wasn’t present with Montgomery.
So what to do with a guy that transformed his body into a muscled Humvee? You turn him into a tight end.
This will be Monty’s fourth season and another position switch will be his third. That’s a big ask for a guy that was drafted as a wide receiver out of Stanford in the third round in 2015.
But Montgomery is the ultimate X-factor: he doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body and is writing a manual on how to be the perfect player. He could’ve complained about changing his position to running back, but that didn’t happen. Heck, he even went to coach Mike McCarthy and suggested being the running back. How many guys would not only propose that but also go along with it by transforming their body with added bulk to take more of a pounding? The answer is not many.
“I ask a lot of questions. I’ve always been that way, said Montgomery during his rookie training camp. “I want to make sure I understand everything and I want to understand why everything is the way it is.”
Montgomery is a breath of fresh air in an era of look-at-me touchdown charades and guys demanding that they get the ball.
Tight end would be the final move for Montgomery. It fills a desperate need for the Packers after the absence of Martellus Bennett, who went completely sideways last year.
And it will also save the Packers anywhere from $4-$7 million over the next three years if they chose to get Austin Seferian-Jenkins or Jimmy Graham in free agency.
The best reason is that Montgomery already has a connection with Aaron Rodgers. He has good hands and will put to use his 18 broke tackles from 2016 because a lot of his routes will be ran in traffic.
The only question mark will be Montgomery’s blocking ability. He will be called on to block a lot more near the goal line and in short yardage situations.
But that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. He can stretch the seam, which would open things up for the receivers on the outside. Basically, it would make an already potent offense nearly unstoppable.
When Jared Cook was in Green Bay a couple years ago, it was proven how much smoother things operated when the offense had spacing. Receivers knew they had room and because of the respect for Rodgers, the running backs also got plenty of opportunities in the running game as well.
Montgomery is searching for a role on this team. He’s too good of a player and too good of a teammate to collect dust. He is the sparkplug that can lift the entire locker room because of the sacrifices that he’s made.
Everyone knows how hard he has worked to switch positions once. His teammates will have his back when he does it again.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (69)
Coldworld
March 03, 2018 at 06:27 am
He is certainly ripped, but surely he would be the smallest TE around in terms of height?
Wouldn’t it be more sensible to run him in two back sets and use these more instead of a conventional TE? He would be more of a dual threat that way I would think.
TheVOR
March 03, 2018 at 09:53 am
Not only does he not belong at TE, he doesn't belong on this roster. Its time for Green Bay to flush the toilet and get some new, talented, physical, and healthy football players on this roster. We need guys who can make a start each week, not guy's who have these chiseled bodies, and after a couple of hits are having surgery, or missing huge blocks of weeks. Cut this football player and move on please. Time for Ted's Turds to be flushed. Time for our coaches to get an influx of new and or different talent, and finally, time for these coaches to start earning their checks and coaching these players into Super Bowl performing athletes.
dblbogey
March 03, 2018 at 06:14 pm
Vor, go back to Packer Report with your whining. I left to get away from you.
DD
March 03, 2018 at 04:55 pm
I have said, as you did, we have two good hard running backs, so use Ty as a blow alternate for each one or work him and Jordy into the slot! Fresh legs, less hits.
carlos
March 04, 2018 at 03:38 pm
Not a TE.
carlos
March 05, 2018 at 05:30 am
Get a TE who is a TE. Not some project that would be a waste of time.
Roadrunner23
March 03, 2018 at 07:11 am
With his injury history he is surely not a full time player.
RB - Slot WR - Screens - are what he's about, send him down the seam here and there yes. He's an excellent chess piece but probably will never have a really defined role.
Savage57
March 03, 2018 at 07:17 am
This article does a great job of highlighting what a trainwreck the Packers offense has become, with the constant need to invest draft capital to try and find players who might be remotely capable of stopping the opponent.
Ty Monty from WR, to RB, now to TE? In an era when TE's are routinely reaching the 6-6", 275 lb. range, the Packers should plug in a converted 6-1", 217 lb. WR to handle the position?
Color me confused and depressed.
TKWorldWide
March 03, 2018 at 08:38 am
I will color you no such thing.
dobber
March 03, 2018 at 10:36 am
I've been looking in my daughter's box of 128 crayolas and I have yet to find either...
dblbogey
March 03, 2018 at 06:15 pm
Depressed is the blue crayon. Confused is the transgender crayon.
EdsLaces
March 03, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Hahaha I laughed way too hard at this
4thand1
March 03, 2018 at 07:31 am
TE ? This off season is going to be different for sure. Monty , the jack of all trades master of none. He would IMO, be a killer slot receiver if given the chance. So WTF do we do with Jordy and Cobb. So what we have here is a bunch of great pass catchers that can't stretch the field. Major team needs. edge rusher, TE, CB, burner WR, OL RT.
jww061356
March 03, 2018 at 07:36 am
I think the article has the right idea, but goes bait too far in one direction---namely that Montgomery be a FT tight end. Why not make him a FT chess piece? Make him a hybrid. Slot, WR, split him out as a TE. He already knows the assignments for the first two positions. Make him a move piece, a motion guy that you use to see what the D is doing before the snap. He's willing and he's able--why not?
stockholder
March 03, 2018 at 07:44 am
He we go again. The band Aid on the problem. No position? Trade him. Why keep moving someone around when your not happy with the results. That is why your moving him. You think that the Rbs are better than him now. He showed promise at RB. Why do you think he's the answer at TE when you know he's not. You only hurt him and use him up. Keep him at RB.
Bure9620
March 03, 2018 at 08:14 am
??? So these same voices that were worried about Montgomery's durability as a RB, are now thinking TE??? He will have to throw chip blocks at Defensive ends and OLBs, has Ty really solidified himself as a blocker?? He cant play in line. Have we not yet determined Ty is best as a pass catcher out of the backfield, a la McCaffrey or James White or Kamara, that should be his role, no? He also does not have the height advantage on seam routes which is where most TE create matchups. I can tell you no defense is scared of Montgomery at TE, however I see him giving many d coordinators problems having to account for him in the flat or on wheel routes where Ty truly is a matchup problem for a defense.
Bearmeat
March 03, 2018 at 08:08 am
Corey-
What are you smoking??? Ty can't stay healthy playing slot WR and you want to have him try to block 290 lb DEs??? LOL!
Three and Out
March 03, 2018 at 09:17 am
It's the BuzzFeed school of "journalism".
marpag1
March 03, 2018 at 09:49 am
Par for the course on Cory's Coroner. This is about as smart as the people who say that we need to make Jeff Janis a cornerback. lol
Three and Out
March 03, 2018 at 11:23 am
Oh I'm quite aware of what to expect from Cory and his so called "journalism". I'm sure it won't be long until he suggests putting Ty at IL...and sure they'll be people that'll back it up.
Coldworld
March 03, 2018 at 02:22 pm
Ha ha. In all fairness though, there is nothing of any significance going on to write about at the moment. He might have reached a little too far for content to keep us amused with this one.
flackcatcher
March 03, 2018 at 07:41 pm
JANIS!!! (one last time...sob.....)
Fire_Gute
March 04, 2018 at 10:55 am
Janis at corner is pure genius compared to ty at te. What possible advantage could there be to having a 6'1 217 lb tight end. If you have to try that hard to find a place for someone, maybe there isn't one for him. Mm isn't creative enough to take advantage of his gadget player versatility and as a 3rd round pick he's kind of a waste
carlos
March 05, 2018 at 06:16 am
Janis would be a better TE than Montgomery because of his toughness and durability. Not saying they should move Janis to TE.
ShanghaiKid
March 03, 2018 at 08:29 am
Right, because he’s so great at blitz pickup against MLB. Just tell him to go put 40 pounds on and line up in-line against the best DL in the league. Yeah that’ll work...
NickPerry
March 03, 2018 at 08:32 am
Montgomery to TE? This just doesn't make ANY sense. The only time moving Monty to TE would make sense is paying against ANY Dom Capers defense. We all know how WIDE OPEN the middle of the field is against Capers Defenses.
flackcatcher
March 03, 2018 at 07:43 pm
Enough already Nick. Dom's gone........
Cartwright
March 03, 2018 at 09:49 am
I was thinking that myself, putting Monty in at TE but he just isn't big enough to block the behemoths and would be a huge liability in that regard. Gotta keep Aaron's jersey clean at all costs. I'm hoping Gutekunst in FA zero's in on the TE position more than any other, it is arguably our weakest link. But please not Graham, no old farts, Martellus The Beat was enough thank you.
BobSaget
March 03, 2018 at 09:06 am
This is the single most absurd article in the history of the Internet. About all the other one's on the list also come from Hot Take Corner. This corner needs to log off the Internet for good and make Cheesehead TV great again.
marpag1
March 03, 2018 at 09:34 am
Ding! Ding!
ricky
March 03, 2018 at 09:06 am
It must be the "slow time" when writers are desperately grasping at straws to fill up space on their site. Or, this is a serious suggestion, which means the writer is not a serious judge of football. I'll be kind and choose the first option.
dobber
March 03, 2018 at 10:44 am
"You can line up Monty in the slot where the TE would line up doesn't mean you have to change his position title."
Bingo. A TE is only a TE when lined up "tight" to the line, or with his hand on the ground. Any time a TE isn't lined up "tight", he's a slot receiver or a WR (hence, lined up "wide"). I can't imagine asking #88 to put his hand on the ground. He'd get killed by a DE.
"Just get the ball in his hands and let him make people miss and pick up YAC."
I agree. He's an "in-space" kind of player. Not only is he good in that regard (too strong for most DBs and too quick for most bigger defenders), but it will minimize the beatings he takes.
dobber
March 05, 2018 at 12:32 pm
I pay people... ;)
Lphill
March 03, 2018 at 09:12 am
Waste of time not tall enough , if there is no position for him then trade him not waste him on the bench.
Three and Out
March 03, 2018 at 09:14 am
No, Ty does not belong at TE. End of discussion.
Tundraboy
March 03, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Thought had crossed my mind but he's not tall enough. Yet another position that we're always trying to fill from some other way than the obvious ones, draft, trade for, or just go sign a free agent tight end already. We need a proven TE not a project
Handsback
March 03, 2018 at 10:04 am
I had to look and see if it was April 1st. We all know his build is better as an OG. That way he can beef up a little more and be available for those OG passes......
Spock
March 03, 2018 at 11:15 am
I wish I could give multiple thumbs up for the April 1st comment. I literally LOL on that one! Well said, Hank.
4thand1
March 03, 2018 at 11:10 am
Corey you should write for Dr. Suess.
marpag1
March 03, 2018 at 11:33 am
The butt-heads in Dallas, those Star-Helmet Sneetches
Would brag, “We’re the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches.”
With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they’d snort
“We’ll have nothing to do with the Plain-Helmet sort!”
And, whenever they met some, when they were out walking,
They’d hike right on past them without even talking.
worztik
March 03, 2018 at 11:58 am
Good job!!! Better than the article fo’ shur...!!!
Coach Cleve Steamer
March 04, 2018 at 04:51 pm
You should stfu.
worztik
March 04, 2018 at 06:53 pm
Stfu=???
worztik
March 05, 2018 at 09:45 am
Are you Cory in drag???
worztik
March 05, 2018 at 09:46 am
Nevva Biotsch!!!
Spock
March 03, 2018 at 11:13 am
Even for Cory this is beyond ridiculous and THAT says it all!! Heck, I've had to take two oxycodone pills this morning and I'd still have to be WAY more drugged then that to buy this b.s. "article". This reminds me of using a "Guy's Grocery Games" silly wheel for inventing articles. What's next? Miniature grocery carts for smaller even sillier (if that's possible) Cory articles? I know it's the off-season but CHTV can do better than this IMHO.
worztik
March 03, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Maybe Cory’s the cause of our opioid problem?!?!?
Ds300916
March 03, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Cory seems to enjoy posting "click-bait articles". The next one will be something like "Why the Packers should trade Aaron Rodgers and move forward with Hundley as their future QB"
norcaljoe
March 03, 2018 at 03:34 pm
Ty is not a TE, c’mon. TE is a problem, solvable through FA, the draft, or maybe a trade. Get Ty back to being a receiver, slot or outside. Production will improve and I think injuries will be much less frequent. I love them guy’s spirit, but he’s not a TE.
OrganLeroy
March 03, 2018 at 04:41 pm
Ty at TE is just plain 'Stupid Talk'.
Doug Niemczynski
March 03, 2018 at 05:59 pm
I totally agree Ty Montgomery as a tight end is absolutely stupid
However as a third-down back he poses a pretty good threat with his receiving skills and quickness and I still think he's pretty decent running back. He's just got to stay healthy. Of Course , he still has problems blocking.
sonomaca
March 03, 2018 at 05:57 pm
Agreed. Monty is no TE. Just watched the combine TE’s. These are some big dudes. Like both Thomas kids, Ian from Indiana and Jordan from Miss St. Might be able to get Ian in 3rd or Jordan in 4th.
worztik
March 03, 2018 at 06:27 pm
I watched them as well... nice one handed, backward reaching catch on a bad throw!!! I agree that either would be welcome, as far as size goes at the very least!!! I’m sure that it’s no easy task finding a TE with speed, size and really good blocking ability. But, for anyone that knows anything about football to think that Monty would/could/should be moved to the TE position... I deduce that their awareness of the Packers, the TE spot and Monty’s size for such a position change proves a lack of knowledge!!! I remember a TE (Williams), from not too long ago, that we drafted and he was a about the same size (maybe more weight) as Monty and he didn’t stick around for a second cup of coffee!!! Let Monty be Monty but, not as a TE fo’ shur... just sayin’....
Doug Niemczynski
March 03, 2018 at 05:57 pm
I would rather take a chance on a broken-down Tyler eifert or Jimmy Graham then put Ty Montgomery as tight end
worztik
March 03, 2018 at 06:28 pm
NO... JUST NO!!!!
HankScorpio
March 03, 2018 at 07:20 pm
It's not the dumbest idea I've ever heard suggested about a position switch for a Packer player. I swear that I am not making this up. It did actually happen.
Way back in the early 90s while working alone one Sunday, I turned on the Packers radio broadcast to pass the time. During halftime back then, they took calls. So one caller had this brilliant idea to make use of all-time draft bust Tony Mandarich. This caller thought it would be a great idea to turn him into a Safety and blitz him every down, ala David Fulcher of the Bengals. Jim and Max, showing they were true pros, politely downplayed the notion without laughter or insult. I could not compose myself nearly as well.
So Cory still has a long ways to go to take the crown when it comes to side-splitting position switch suggestions.
marpag1
March 04, 2018 at 04:16 am
It makes for a rather uninspiring advertisement.... "Cory's Corner: It's not LITERALLY the dumbest thing you've ever heard."
Since'61
March 03, 2018 at 08:35 pm
Ty doesn't have height or the bulk to be a TE. Just consistently rotate him at RB and slot and get him the ball 10+ times a game and he'll be fine. Force opposing DCs to account for him and open up other weapons in offense. Thanks, Since '61
Coach Cleve Steamer
March 04, 2018 at 04:34 pm
So we have assholes who bother to read an article, then trash the author? Wow!
No wonder people smirk about Packers fans. Check your privilege, boys.
worztik
March 04, 2018 at 07:00 pm
The article sucked!!!!! But, how would a Queens fan like yourself know anything about the Packers??? You are a joke!!!!
worztik
March 04, 2018 at 06:57 pm
Stay on your sites then.... you were a negative, critic the last time your beautiful face popped up, also!!! Honor us with your absence, Rebecca!!!!
Samson
March 04, 2018 at 08:15 pm
Can Ty throw a decent pass?
How about BU QB? Anything to send Hundley packing.
Truth be told --- Ty is probably playing his last season as a Packer. --- He is the perfect example of how inept MM has been the last few years.
I bet'cha BB from NE would turn Monty into a pro-bowler.
4thand10
March 04, 2018 at 10:12 pm
He would. I believe that. I would put him back in the slot. He was just starting to really pop out atWR... then was placed at RB. ... it was a head scratcher. He is no La'Veon Bell. Cobb has not exactly been a pillar of health staying on the field all the time either. But I think Montgomery's future is in the slot
Thegreatreynoldo
March 05, 2018 at 01:58 am
"He was just starting to really pop out atWR... then was placed at RB. ... it was a head scratcher."
I don't think this is true. 2016 season:
Wk 1: No rushes or targets, one KR 14 yds. 11 snaps;
Wk 2: No rushes/targets, no snaps. 14 ST snaps;
Wk 3: 1 rush (-1 yds), no targets 4 snaps. 15 ST snaps;
Wk 4: Bye
Wk 5: 1 rush (1), no targets, 2 snaps 17 ST snaps;
Wk 6: 3 rush (6), 12 targets, 10 recs 98 yds 35 snaps vs Dallas
Starks was out for Dallas, and Lacy had a gimpy ankle. Next day's headlines for snap counts noted Monty's heavy workload at RB against Dallas (see link). Prior to that, Monty got 11, 0, 4 and 2 snaps on offense, but played STs in all those games. The prior year he had 15 recs in 6 games for 135 yds, and a 9.1 average.
Anyway, my recollection is that Monty as a WR in 2016 was given almost no opportunity and thus had no impact. Until the Dallas game, he had exactly zero yards on offense. Not seeing any pop unless you mean preseason or are going back to 2015.
He did look good as a RB in 2016 and pretty good in 2017. Cobb had games of 57, 42, 33, 108 leading up to the 2016 Dallas game
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2016/10/17/13306536/packers-week-6-sn...
carlos
March 05, 2018 at 06:29 am
We do need help at right tackle. lol.
Ryan Graham
March 05, 2018 at 09:14 am
Let's be clear....Ty is not a tight end.
he's a mismatch and someone that has to be accounted for wherever he lines up. I love Ty, very unselfish, team first kinda guy. Unfortunately, the reality is that he can't be counted on to stay healthy. That said I do believe there will be little interest to bring him back unless it is for a very team friendly deal. Not ruling it out, but he's not the long term answer at any position really until he can get he can prove to stay healthy.
JDK52
March 05, 2018 at 11:45 am
Serious question.
Do you think this is a topic worthy of discussion, or are you doing this as click bait? I honestly can't decide with some of your "Cory's Corner" stuff. More often than not you're suggesting stuff that isn't remotely possible or plausible, which makes me think you do this for the clicks and not because you think it's a worthy topic.
Just why?
JerseyAl
March 05, 2018 at 08:10 pm
Cory likes to "poke the bear" sometimes with ideas that others would be afraid to throw against the wall in public. i have no problem with it. Your reactions are pretty comical and thus entertaining.
PACKERNICK
March 07, 2018 at 09:16 am
Try it in preseason. Ty lacks the no 1 TE requirement of size but has the other requirements. I'm always open for a new wrinkle. However, Packers need to fill TE position. After J Finley release, I thought we had it with Jared Cook, but the Martellus Bennet signing looked to be the answer. That backfired and Lance Kendrick or Richard Rodgers is not the answer. I hope there is someone in the draft class like the "Gronk" we could develop, because I don't think we'll find another like Cook or Bennett in free agency. IMO.