Sam's Grading the Pack Week 8: Ty Montgomery Needs to Go
Normally, this is where you'd see a long-ass paragraph serving as a summary, but I'm getting bored with it and I'm half-convinced nobody is reading it anyways, so here are the highs and the lows:
+ QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, DT Kenny Clark and LB Blake Martinez all continued their All-Pro campaigns with grades of A- or better.
+ CB Jaire Alexander was all over the field, putting together one of the better games by any defensive back all year. Talk about a valuable, high-energy rookie.
+ RB Aaron Jones showed exactly why he should be utilized as the top back, taking a season high 12 Rushes for 86 Yards and a score.
+ OLB Clay Matthews has his rare bursts, but he showed pressure on every drive for the first time all season.
- RB Ty Montgomery single-handedly blew the entire game. He carried the ball out of the end zone when he should've just kneeled it, then fumbled the ball away for a Rams team more than happy to run out the clock.
- FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looked like he wanted to be somewhere else the entire game. Not once did he show effort, and he let talented Rams receivers cross the middle of the field with ease.
- SS Kentrell Brice got benched for not doing anything in the first half, and his replacement, SS Jermaine Whitehead, did pretty much everything wrong a Strong Safety could in one half.
- P JK Scott has had a solid rookie year punting, but Sunday afternoon was his worst performance all year.
OVERALL: C+
Offense: B- QB/RB: B- WR/TE: B- OL: B-
Defense: C+ DL: B- LB: B DB: C Special Teams: D+
BEST GRADE: A: WR Davante Adams, DT Kenny Clark, and LB Blake Martinez
Surprise, surprise: Davante Adams earns the highest grade once again. On only seven targets, he pulled in the five catchable passes for a whopping 133 Yards. If he had consistent help from other receiving targets so he wouldn't always get the most coverage, Adams' numbers would be as good as any wideout in the entire league. Kenny Clark is continuing his All-Pro campaign, this time with killer pressure on every drive and a season-high two Sacks. Blake Martinez led the team in tackles (12), added a sack and didn't blow a single assignment, earning another "A" grade.
WORST GRADE: F: Ty Montgomery, RB
There were a handful of poor performers, two major ones at Safety in Ha Ha and Jermaine Whitehead, but Ty Montgomery straight up lost the game for Green Bay. His whole playing time sideline tantrum is one thing, but he both a) ran out of the end zone when he should've just taken a knee, and b) fumbled the ball to blow any chance Aaron Rodgers & Co. had at a realistic comeback. He's the worst of all three Running Backs in 2018. He's seriously only a change-of-pace back, and he's no better at returning than Tramon Williams or the released Trevor Davis. Mike McCarthy isn't a knee-jerk guy, but I see no major losses by giving Montgomery a deserved pink slip.
MVP Watch: Davante Adams did everything he could on only seven targets, and he increased his MVP lead over Aaron Rodgers. Their weekly star power is enough to keep All-Pro defensive talents Blake Martinez and Kenny Clark in third and fourth, respectively.
STATS OVERVIEW:
Passing - Rodgers: A- (18/30, 286 Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 102.9 Passer Rating; 1 Rush, 5 Yds)
Rushing - A. Jones: A- (12 Rush, 86 Yds, TD; 2 Rec, 0 Yds) J. Williams: B- (4 Rush, 9 Yds, 1 TD); Montgomery: F (2 Rush, 5 Yds, 1 TD; 1 Rec, 2 Yds; Game-losing Fumble);
Receiving - D. Adams: A+ (5 Rec, 133 Yds) Cobb: (4 Rec, 40 Yds); Graham: C+ (1 Rec, 21 Yds); Valdez-Scantling: B (2 Rec, 45 Yds, 1 TD); St. Brown: C+ (2 Rec, 31 Yds); Allison: C+ (1 Rec, 14 Yds)
Defense - No Interceptions, 5 Sacks (Clark x2, Martinez, Matthews, Fackrell)
Questions? Comments? Concerns? General Feedback? Can we ever forgive Ty Montgomery? Please let me know!
Thank you and God Bless,
Samuel R. Fuller
