Veteran running back David Montgomery has posted back-to-back 1,000-yards from scrimmage seasons for the Detroit Lions. But he still does a little bit of everything for his team. Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed that fact about his running back after the team’s Week 5 victory.
During that win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Montgomery led the Lions with 65 rushing yards and scored a touchdown. To top off the performance, Montgomery also threw for a score.
Behind the veteran running back, the Lions defeated the Bengals 37-24.
Everybody respects David Montgomery, and I think everybody roots for that guy. Because that guy will do anything for his teammates,” Campbell told reporters after the victory. “He lays it on the line on Sundays. He lays it on the line at practice.
“David is that guy. Heartbeat … He’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll stick his face up there in protection; he’ll run the dirty runs. He will run down field to make a block for a teammate in the pass game.
“He’s all [expletive] team. Excuse my language.”
While foul to some, some social media users found Campbell’s honest take on Montgomery entertaining.
Dan Campbell Raves About David Montgomery as Teammate
While describing Montgomery’s attributes as a teammate, Campbell compared the running back to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond.
Campbell said the Lions also know what they will get from St. Brown every week. As for Raymond, the Lions head coach said the receiver and punt returner, like Montgomery, is part of the team’s heartbeat.
That’s why Montgomery remains such an important part of the Lions offense despite the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs.
Entering Week 5, Gibbs and Montgomery had nearly evenly split opportunities in the backfield. Gibbs held the team lead in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. However, Montgomery had a 5.7 yards per carry average before Week 5.
That average took a hit Sunday, with Montgomery rushing for his 65 yards on 18 carries. But he led the team in rushing and chipped in six receiving yards against the Bengals.
Montgomery’s touchdown pass was the second of his career. The running back also had a 3-yard touchdown throw last season.