Invoice Belichick proud of the flexibility Ty Montgomery brings to the Patriots

Patriots

Montgomery missed most of final season with an harm.

Invoice Belichick is pleased to have Ty Montgomery out there offensively. (Winslow Townson/AP Pictures for Panini)

The start of Ty Montgomery’s Patriots tenure didn’t go the best way anyone hoped it will. However in New England’s 2023 season opener, Montgomery’s receiver-running again hybrid position lastly started taking focus.

Though Montgomery’s offensive utilization was quite low towards the Eagles, he confirmed comfortability at totally different spots on the sphere. In simply seven snaps on offense, he lined up outdoors the numbers, within the slot, and within the backfield.

On Sunday, Montgomery recorded one rush for seven yards, two catches for 9 yards, and returned two kicks for a mixed 62 yards, together with a 43-yard scamper. He performed 41 % of the Patriots particular groups snaps.

“He’s nice to have. A really versatile man, actually sensible,” New England coach Invoice Belichick stated of Montgomery. “He’s bought an awesome ability set, performs within the kicking sport, can do extra issues offensively. … It’s good to have that type of versatility.”

The Patriots signed Montgomery in 2022, however he solely performed one sport earlier than an harm sidelined him for the remainder of the season. A second harm stored him out of most of coaching camp and all of New England’s preseason video games. However, after a short stint on the follow squad, Montgomery signed to the Patriots 53-man roster simply earlier than the season opener.

It’s unlikely Montgomery will play an enormous position within the floor sport. New England handed Rhamondre Stevenson nearly all of the workload at working again whereas mixing in Ezekiel Elliott because the No. 2 choice. Nonetheless, Montgomery can present depth behind the duo whereas additionally mixing in with the receiving group.

Maybe Montgomery’s most intriguing upside is his capacity to scramble defensive packages. If groups don’t know whether or not to account for him as a working again or a receiver, it could create mismatches.

One among Montgomery’s finest performs of the season opener got here whereas he was lined up within the slot and lined by a linebacker. Montgomery gained separation on the play and caught a go for 11 yards.

A wholesome Montgomery gained’t essentially be an offensive mainstay, however he may be an essential gadget participant for the Patriots.

“[Montgomery] has been capable of get in a pair nice weeks of labor. I’m glad we’ve got him again on the sphere to work with,” Belichick stated.