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But if Montgomery, a fourth-year defensive end, can give the Packers half of the rush that Tuck gave the New York Giants last season, the individual who hatched the idea of trying Montgomery inside on passing downs should get a raise.
After three months of the off-season program and four days of training camp, Montgomery looks like the best bet to fill the void left by the trade of Corey Williams.
“We’ve got to find a rusher to go in there with (Cullen) Jenkins on third down,” said Carl Hairston, the Packers’ co-defensive line coach. “Mike Montgomery could be our solution.”
Montgomery basically had been the fourth defensive end since making the team in 2005 as a sixth-round draft choice from Texas A&M. When Williams and his 14 sacks in the last two seasons were shipped to Cleveland, the Packers were batting around possible players to take up the rushing slack inside.
Although Green Bay guard Daryn Colledge had one of his best games against Tuck in the NFC Championship Game, coach Mike McCarthy and his staff took note when Tuck pounded New England all-pro guard Logan Mankins for two sacks, a knockdown and a hurry in the Super Bowl.
Tuck, a backup end in 2007, played over the left guard on passing downs and was the Giants’ best defensive player against the Patriots, according to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Tuck, 6 feet 5 inches and 274 pounds, entered the league running 40 yards in 4.75 seconds as a third-round pick in ’05. Montgomery, 6-5 and 270, ran just 4.99, so obviously Tuck is the more special athlete.
“But some of the coaches believe I can go in there because they saw how New York was moving their ends in,” Montgomery said. “They talked to me in the off-season about working out there and seeing how I can do. I saw a couple plays on (tape) what Tuck was doing. I’m out there giving it a shot.”
Williams, another outstanding athlete for his size, outweighs Montgomery by 50 pounds. Obviously, Montgomery won’t have luxury of bull-rushing many guards, all of whom will outweigh him by at least 30 pounds.
“I just have to stay on the edge,” Montgomery said. “Maybe they’re big but you’ve got to make them move their feet. That’s why I just come off and use my leverage and speed.”
Montgomery, however, does have the benefit of extremely long arms. His measure 35¼ inches. Tuck’s are 32¾.
“Guards have problems against guys with long arms,” Hairston said. “Mike does a great job of making contact and separating. Guys that make first contact, they’re afraid of that.”
In the first three days of practice, Montgomery has had some bright moments, both at tackle and end. On Wednesday night, he came oh so close to trashing tackle Tony Moll with the “hump” move made famous by Reggie White.
If Jenkins is forced to move inside in base, Montgomery probably is the next-best option to start at right end, given Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila’s age and knee problems. Hairston always has liked Montgomery’s ability to set the edge against the run and find the ball.
With Jenkins entrenched at right tackle in nickel, the Packers have been shuttling Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole, Montgomery and others at left tackle.
“Mike’s playing strong,” Hairston said, acknowledging that this was the best he had seen him perform. “He’s doing good things, physically and mentally. Now we’ve got to keep him healthy.”
Therein lies the problem. Montgomery’s right knee is sound now but the Packers aren’t sure if it will hold up.
In August 2007, he underwent arthroscopic surgery for cartilage damage and a torn medial collateral ligament. In December 2006, he suffered an MCL sprain and posterior collateral damage in the same knee.
A reserved, modest man, Montgomery can only pray that his knee doesn’t fail him. He will become an unrestricted free agent in March, and to this point the Packers have not even discussed an extension.
His ready nod made it clear that he knows his financial future is intertwined with his performance in 2008.
“Oh yeah, oh yeah, I’m real motivated,” Montgomery said. “But I can’t put too much stress on my life. What I told myself was, ’Hey, give it all I’ve got and whatever the Good Lord has for me it’ll come.’
“Oh yeah, it’s out there for me. The sky’s the limit. I’m just going to prove that I can play and let them work it out.”
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
