Midweek Stock Report: Pair of Packers' wide receivers break out

By foxsports
Published

Every Wednesday, FOX Sports Wisconsin takes a look at which athlete's stock is trending up and whose is trending down.

In other words, who is making a meteoric rise, and who is quickly plummeting.

With that in mind, let's "take stock" of the current sports scene in Wisconsin, shall we?

Ty Montgomery, Packers wide receiver

One week after catching 10 passes for 98 yards, Montgomery had an even bigger role in Green Bay's offense. While he had a career-high 13 targets with 10 catches for 66 yards, it was Montgomery's appearance in the Packers' backfield which caused people to take notice. Montgomery received the most carries in Green Bay's Thursday night win over Chicago, rushing nine times for 60 yards. Just like that Montgomery became a dual threat and someone to keep an eye on as Green Bay tries to figure out its rushing attack without the injured Eddie Lacy and James Starks.

Davante Adams, Packers wide receiver

Adams broke out in a big way in Green Bay's 26-10 win over Chicago. He had a team-high 16 targets, 13 catches and 132 receiving yards. Adams also caught two touchdown passes. Not bad for a player who had 15 receptions and three TDs in five games entering last Thursday's contest.

Bart Houston, Badgers quarterback

Houston lost the starting quarterback job to redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook and thus everyone thought, well, that's that for Houston. Maybe he'd get in during a blowout or if Hornibrook got hurt. But, no, in a surprising move, head coach Paul Chryst inserted Houston for two series against Iowa, and Houston led Wisconsin to its first touchdown of the game thanks in part to his 3-for-3 passing effort, which included a TD pass. Making things even more interesting is Chryst has indicated this won't be a one-time deal. Welcome back, Bart.

Wisconsin Badgers defense

Wisconsin completely shut down Iowa, allowing no play longer than 21 yards, in a 17-9 win in Iowa City. The Badgers' defense has allowed 0 or 1 touchdown in four of seven games this season. Certainly an argument can be made that this is the best defense in the country. Challenges lie ahead, but after seven games it's hard to believe anyone is doubting this D.

Jack Cichy, Badgers linebacker

Cichy was having one of the best, if not the best, season on Wisconsin's stellar defense. However, he hurt his shoulder against Iowa and despite proclamations that he'd be able to play in the Badgers' next  game, in fact Cichy tore a pectoral muscle and is out for the season. The former walk-on leads Wisconsin with 60 tackles.

Don Jackson and Knile Davis, Packers running backs

With Lacy and Starks out, it was figured that these newcomers to Green Bay's roster would carry the load for the Packers. However, each only got two carries against the Bears -- Jackson due to injury, while Davis wasn't used until garbage time. Perhaps this will change in the coming weeks, but their starts didn't exactly go off as expected.

 

 

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns