Montgomery: Feel more in tune on offense

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery co-hosted Monday's Clubhouse Live, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin’s live weekly football show. Packers fullback Aaron Ripkowski was Montgomery’s guest.

Among the topics they touched on were the continued adjustment in learning how to play running back, Aaron Rodgers and NFL scrums. The show can be seen live at The Clubhouse Sports Pub & Grill in downtown Appleton or at clubhouselive.com.

Here are select and edited answers from the interview:

WATCH:Clubhouse Live with Montgomery, Ripkowski

Q: You've had to learn a lot about playing running back in a short time, but what probably goes unnoticed by many is the chemistry you need to have and develop with your offensive linemen. How has that been coming along?

Montgomery: I think it's coming along great. I think after the last game, we definitely have built up some more chemistry. Helping those guys in protection. Learning when not to leak out too soon and helping them with defensive linemen. We talk to each other. We communicate on the sideline. We communicate in the huddle before plays. Being a running back, I feel so much more in tune with everyone on the offense because I just don't feel like I'm on an island anymore.

RELATED:Packers' offense must hold line

Q: Aaron Rodgers said after Thursday's victory against the Bears that he was proud of how you played. How does that make you feel when your quarterback gives you an accolade like that?

Montgomery: That really means a lot. This isn't anything against Aaron ... but he's a perfectionist. He is the best at what he does. And to get a compliment from him means that you've really done something well. That really means a lot. I hope I can continue to make him proud in the future because among making plays for myself and my family, to make plays for him means a lot.

Q: Take us into the pile when you're fighting for extra yards, and a whole bunch of guys are on top of you and trying to bring you down - like that 13-yard run you were credited for in your Week 5 win over the Giants. What's being said? What's being done?

Ripkowski: I'm definitely not going to repeat what's being said, but I think there were a few eyeballs lost that day, a few eye gouging here and there. A lot of that going on, and people reaching for the ball trying to take it from you, even though the play's over. (Smiling) A lot of stuff going on in the pile that I can't really talk about. It's a violent place to be, it really is.

Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or brett.christopherson@gannett.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC