The rookie running back’s ability to protect Aaron Rodgers could get him on the field early. As we approach the glorious beginning of another football season, we cling to and over analyze anything that we can take as “news” until we see football with our own eyes.

Recently, Packers  Offensive Coordinator Edgar Bennett mentioned that rookie running back Jamaal Williams , a fourth-round draft pick out of BYU, has earned the right to see playing time early due to his ability to pass protect, something that Ty Montgomery  was taken off of the field for a year ago due to his lack of experience.

While Montgomery  should be entirely capable of being a proficient pass protector, after he moved to running back mid season a year ago there wasn’t quite time to teach him the intricacies of the position, rather just get through the season. Montgomery has a thick, rocked-up physique, so pass protection should be a “when” thing, not an “if” thing, for him.

However, someone like Williams, who had some pro-style run game concepts in his offense in Provo, steps into the forefront with pass protection experience. Williams, who has a somewhat similar body type to Montgomery, has apparently gotten out to an early lead in camp in that facet of the running back position.
Here are some of the plays Williams showed at BYU that exhibit his pass protection skills:

Williams allows this touchdown to happen by recognizing the fourth rusher.  

This is just an incredible play, to be honest . I’ll take Williams on my team any day.

Williams does a nice job of knowing when to abort the fake to react to the pass rush.  

Williams isn’t afraid to stick his nose in against blitzers.  
I, for one, am very excited about Williams’ potential in the Packers’ offense. I think Williams, being an actual running back, will allow Montgomery to moonlight as a runner but really be utilized in his most valuable role: as a receiving threat out of the backfield to keep defenses honest.


Continue Reading @ Owen Riese 

Owen Riese wrote:

I'd love to see this. While I was a big fan of Monty ever since his first preseason catch, I really don't get the mindset of trying to change what's worked so great. Even putting on weight's got me concerned. He's got a bunch of talent as a WR and a RB. The more you move him into a RB role the more you're wasting his talent and what gave him so much success to begin with - being able to move him from out wide to the backfield on a whim and being effective in both cases.

Having someone else start at RB means Monty doesn't need to go too far to the RB direction - but he can still carry it 10-15 times a game too.

Originally Posted by: Porforis 

Having a RB like Monty that can run AND catch is a huge plus for our team.
If Williams is a good runner and pass blocker, imagine the different looks we could give. Put him AND Monty in the backfield at the same time, and the defense would have NO idea what was going to happen. It could open up all kinds of new play calls.
IF our coaches are smart enough to use these options.

Originally Posted by: Cheesey 

Having a RB like Monty that can run AND catch is a huge plus for our team.
If Williams is a good runner and pass blocker, imagine the different looks we could give. Put him AND Monty in the backfield at the same time, and the defense would have NO idea what was going to happen. It could open up all kinds of new play calls.
IF our coaches are smart enough to use these options.

Originally Posted by: Cheesey 

I'd love to see this. While I was a big fan of Monty ever since his first preseason catch, I really don't get the mindset of trying to change what's worked so great. Even putting on weight's got me concerned. He's got a bunch of talent as a WR and a RB. The more you move him into a RB role the more you're wasting his talent and what gave him so much success to begin with - being able to move him from out wide to the backfield on a whim and being effective in both cases.

Having someone else start at RB means Monty doesn't need to go too far to the RB direction - but he can still carry it 10-15 times a game too.

Originally Posted by: Porforis 

A lot of the Montgomery doubters want to focus on his size, suggesting that he’s too small to handle a running back’s workload. They don’t seem to understand that being a small receiver doesn’t automatically make someone a small running back. Montgomery checks in at six feet tall, and bulked up this offseason, weighing in at 223 pounds at the start of training camp. By comparison, the Cowboys list the hulking, bruising, powerful Ezekiel Elliott at six feet and 225 pounds.