Sam Shields Playoff Report Card

Shields was a rookie free-agent signing after the draft. Shields was a wide receiver during most of his career at Miami. Going into his senior year, the coaching staff had depth problems at the corner position and moved Shields there. He proved to be a quick study with some flashes of excellent play. Add to that a strong workout in the spring and he was a hot commodity in the rookie free-agent market.

hields had the tools to be an excellent corner, he was just raw and inexperienced. He has excellent corner size at about 5-11, 185 pounds and sub 4.5 speed. When watching his workout, he showed a quick pedal and excellent turn and run ability. He also was able to transition very quickly. Being a former receiver he needed work on his tackling skills, but also because of his receiver experience he has excellent ball skills. Those ball skills paid off in Sunday’s game with 2 interceptions in very key situations. One pick came at the end of the first half and the other at the end of the game.

In the final minutes of the first half with Green Bay leading 14–0, the Bears were moving the ball and in position to get some points on the board. Jay Cutler threw a deep pass to Johnny Knox along the left sideline that looked like a sure TD. With his excellent speed, Shields accelerated to the ball and made a great leaping interception to end the Bears drive.

In the final minutes of the game with Green Bay up by 7 the Bears were again moving the ball and were in position to tie the game. On a 4th down play from the Green Bay 29, backup quarterback Caleb Hanie tried a skinny post play to Knox to get the first. Shields again closed very quickly to get the interception and returned it 32 yard to secure the Packers win.

Big plays like that will give Shields the added confidence needed to secure a starting role next year in Green Bay. He has all the physical tools needed to be an excellent corner in the league.



(nationalfootballpost.com)