Sam Shields holds his own in oft-used nickel package

Rookie Sam Shields played the entire game in his debut as the Packers’ No. 3 cornerback and gave up a 17-yard touchdown pass in what otherwise was a surprisingly uneventful day.

Shields played every defensive snap because the Packers played their nickel or dime personnel the entire game against a Philadelphia offense that often features three-receiver sets and includes one of the NFL’s better receiving tight ends in Brent Celek.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers did his best to protect Shields with help over the top, mostly from rookie safety Morgan Burnett. Shields allowed two completions, both in the fourth quarter: the 17-yard touchdown to receiver Jeremy Maclin, and a 12-yard out pattern to receiver DeSean Jackson.

“I think it was a good start for (Shields and Burnett), two rookies coming into a hostile environment like this playing against a good football team,” Capers said. “I don’t think there will be many people that will have more skill than (the Eagles) have. Their two young receivers (i.e., Jackson and Maclin) are both first-round picks. Jackson is a guy you certainly don’t want to be catching the ball over the top and getting those 50-yard touchdowns. There will be a lot of corrections to make, but we’re off and running, and it’s a good start.”

On the touchdown, Shields was matched one-on-one with Maclin on the backside, got turned around on a double move and gave up his position on the inside, allowing an easy throw for Michael Vick. The play came on a third-and-17.

“He did a double move, and that’s a route you have to be disciplined on and stay inside,” Shields said.

"I think I did pretty good," Shields said. "On the touchdown, he gave me a double-move. That's a hard route to cover. But that's going to happen. I had a lot more time on the clock, so I couldn't think about that."

The Packers gave deep help to both Shields, who plays left cornerback in the nickel, and Tramon Williams, who’s the right cornerback, in order to limit Jackson’s chances for big plays. Last season, Jackson averaged 18.5 yards a catch and caught nine touchdown passes.

He finished with four catches for only 30 yards.

“We tried to help out on both sides some, because all you have to do is watch a little bit of tape and you can tell that guy is special,” Capers said. “We put together a big-play tape of him, you look at that, it gets your attention.”



(greenbaypressgazette.com)