Sam Shields: 'I wanted to get paid ... It didn't happen'

GREEN BAY – Sam Shields didn’t get what he wanted, but the Green Bay Packers fourth-year cornerback said Tuesday that he’s ready to get to work.

Shields had hoped for a long-term contract from the Packers as he held off on signing his restricted free-agent tender, but as the team’s mandatory minicamp got closer, he realized it wasn’t going to happen and signed the one-year, $2.023 million deal Monday – in time to participate in Tuesday’s practice.

“That was one of my goals. It didn’t work out. I signed the tender and came back to minicamp. If I have a great year this year then it will speak for itself,” Shields said after practice Tuesday. “(There was) a little progress (on a long-term deal) but it didn’t happen. So I signed the tender and got back to work.

"I’m not that guy like, ‘I’m not coming ‘cause I didn’t get paid.’ I need to get paid, but business is business. I wanted to get paid. It didn’t happen. I came and signed the tender and I’m here now.

“I wanted to be back. I was tired of being home. I was home too long. I was just ready to sign the tender. I didn’t get what I wanted. I was like ‘it’s not going to go that much farther so I might as well sign the tender and get back."

Shields worked on a limited snap count in practice Tuesday, as did defensive end Johnny Jolly, who also made his offseason debut after missing OTAs while finalizing his legal issues in Houston.

“It’s great to have Sam back. He’s on a similar plan just as far as the limited reps just to see where he is with conditioning,” coach Mike McCarthy said, comparing Shields’ and Jolly’s workloads. “It’s a very, very competitive position at cornerback, along with other positions. This is about installation, getting the scheme in, extra time on the fundamentals. This is the learning part of the year that’s so important for development of each and every player, and Sam is definitely one of those. We have time for the competition and everything to sort itself out in training camp.”

Shields said he was at home in Florida until Sunday, when he arrived in Green Bay. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, came in on Monday and met with the Packers but a long-term deal didn’t happen. He said he hasn’t given up hope of getting a long-term deal during the season.

“You never know. It’s all on me. I’ve got to go out there and ball out. Do what I’ve been doing and it speaks for itself,” Shields said. “It was getting there, but then it wasn’t. Then, it was like, ‘Minicamp’s coming up, (I) might as well get back and sign my tender.’ Get back on the field. I didn’t want to be home too long. I was getting aggravated with my family. That happens with family, not just the family but everyone around you. I’m happy to be back and ready to rock and roll.

“I just have to ball out this year and then go from there. I want to be a Packer. I really don’t want to go anywhere else. I’ve been here. I started here and I just want to keep continuing to be with the Packers.”


(espnwisconsin.com)