Green Bay --- The most noticeable absentee from Tuesday's voluntary organized team activity wasn't a major surprise --- Packers cornerback Sam Shields.

A restricted free agent, Shields has not signed his tender with the team. Coach Mike McCarthy would not offer a specific reason for Shields not practicing, but Shields is likely eyeing a lucrative long-term deal.

“Sam Shields is a young player and our program speaks for itself and how young players develop year to year," McCarthy said. "I wish Sam was here. He’s not here for his specific reasons that I’m sure if he wants to answer them, he can answer them. It’s about the opportunity to compete and our secondary is very competitive. I wish he was here.”

Given the second-round tender, Shields would make $2.023 million in 2013 if he signed.

Deep at cornerback, the Packers have leverage in contract talks. Second-year cornerback Casey Hayward worked with the No. 1 defense opposite Tramon Williams. Also, Davon House is expected to compete for a starting job and Green Bay drafted Micah Hyde in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft. With Hayward and House, the Packers may not be quick to budge.

Shields did finish last season strong. Upon returning from a high ankle sprain, he finished with four interceptions and 11 pass break-ups in his final six games.
One of Shields' closest friends on the team, safety Morgan Burnett, says he has kept in touch with the corner. Burnett said the two haven't talked much about football, instead catching up on each others' off-seasons.

To Burnett, it is strange not to have Shields in the secondary.

"Yeah, it's different not seeing Sam because you all pretty much know that's who I'm with all the time," Burnett said. "So it's different not having Sam here, but hopefully he'll be here soon and I'll have my buddy back."

In Hayward and House, the Packers do have other options to turn to right now.

Working from the slot as a rookie, Hayward led the team in interceptions (six) and pass break-ups (21). Battling a shoulder injury, House showed promise when healthy, too. He had 26 tackles, one sack and five break-ups last year. Possibly as precaution, House did not participate at Tuesday's OTA.

"Those guys are very athletic," Burnett said. "Casey, from his play this past season, he's a ball hawk capable of making plays. House is a big corner. He makes plays. It's an honor just to be around these guys because they're very athletic and they challenge you to get better and compete because you don't want to let those guys down because they're very athletic and make plays, so it challenges you to do your job."


(jsonline.com)

Restricted free agent cornerback Sam Shields will return to the Packers.

An NFL source said Shields did not sign any offer sheets from other teams. Today was the deadline for restricted free agents to do so.

Now, it's just a matter of whether he will play this season for the restricted free agent tender or a long-term contract. According to the source, Shields has not signed his tender with the Packers yet. Shields would prefer to return under a long-term deal, if possible.

The Packers put a second-round tender on him. That's worth $2.023 million this season. Had another team signed Shields to an offer sheet and the Packers declined to match it, they would have received a second-round pick as compensation.

Shields entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Had they put the low tender on him, they would have had to pay him only $1.323 million but would not have received any compensation if another team signed him.

Shields started 10 games last season, including both playoff games, and was their best cover corner. He allowed completions just 37.2 percent of the times he was targeted and gave up only one touchdown in the regular season, according to STATS.


(greenbaypressgazette.com)

The Packers are still talking with restricted free agent CB Sam Shields about a long-term contract.

Nothing is imminent as Shields is at least third in line for a new deal behind Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. There's no urgency because he'll eventually sign the one-year, $2.02M RFA tender. Per Pro Football Focus, Shields graded out as a top-eight corner in coverage last year.


(rotoworld.com)

Green Bay — There will be no guarantees at cornerback for the Packers in 2013. On Tuesday, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. made that much clear. When players report back to Green Bay, four cornerbacks may engage in an open competition.

Whitt praised the improvement of third-year corner Sam Shields and indicated that Shields, Tramon Williams, Casey Hayward and Davon House will all have an opportunity to start next season.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who are going to be the guys who run out there on Day One,” Whitt said, “because right now I couldn’t tell you who’s going to do what because the way that Sam and Casey have played. And with Tramon and House there, there’s four guys that are vying for two spots. Maybe three with nickel. It will be interesting to see who gets it.”

Making things is interesting is Shields. After a strong finish this season, he may be ready to take on the opposition's top wide receiver next season. Upon returning from his high ankle sprain Dec. 9, Shields' performance "was comparable, if not better than Tramon’s in 2010," Whitt said. In 2010, Williams' string of big plays helped the Packers reach the Super Bowl.

Of course, it was only one year ago Shields was plagued by missed tackles.

Whitt said Shields cut his missed tackles by half this season and called him the best tackler on the team.

“Him and (Jarrett Bush) are the most physical corners that we have, but he’s the best tackling one that we have,” Whitt said. “He put that on film. That’s not me talking. …The only reason I’m talking about it is because he took so much criticism in the way he performed last year through training camp. And to come back and play — especially the last six games — the way that he’s played, I think is very encouraging to what he can be in the future.”

In Shields’ final six games, he had 21 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and four interceptions. He opened up Green Bay’s loss at San Francisco with a pick returned for a touchdown.

Whitt wouldn’t say that Williams -- the team’s No. 1 cornerback since 2010 -- necessarily had a down season. The coach said he still "graded out pretty well." But Shields’ finish and Hayward’s standout rookie season has made things interesting heading into next season.

Excelling in the slot, the second-round pick from Vanderbilt finished fifth in the NFL with six interceptions.

"Casey probably played better than anyone, and you all, expected him to play and probably played better than I expected him to play," Whitt said. "So the competition in the room has gotten better. So that’s the case.

“I believe in not allowing anybody to be comfortable. We don’t work in a business where we can get comfortable. And so, the guys, I always say their play will dictate who runs through the tunnel. The guys that play the best will play, that practice the best, that have the best test. We’re about winning championships and we fell short. That’s our charge.”


(jsonline.com)

The Packers made it more difficult for restricted free agent CB Sam Shields to find his pot of gold after slapping the second-round tender on him, according to multiple reports.

As a result of receiving the middle of three possible tenders, worth $2.023 million over one year, the compensation level set for any team wanting to sign Shields is a second-round pick. If Shields were to sign an offer sheet, the Packers would have the option of matching the offer or accepting the second-round pick.

Last month, several personnel evaluators  predicted that Shields would receive the second-round tender. After a poor start to the 2013 season, Shields won back a starting position and went on to have a very good season, improving as both a cover man and as a tackler.

Shields does not have the reputation around the NFL as a sure thing, but his upside is big because he's arguably the fastest player on the team and is a relative novice at the position given he mostly played wide receiver and special teams at the University of Miami.

"(Shields is a) very good role player as a third corner, but he is small and more than likely it's safe to assume he will have some injuries because of the lack of size," one personnel director said. "This is a tough one that I'm glad we don't have to ponder this year.

"I am guessing they will do the two and will always have the (match) if someone does offer and they want to keep him."

The reports on Shields - from both ProFootballTalk and ESPN.com -- receiving the second-round tender are very likely accurate given Shields' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, because it's well known that he generally talks only to those two outlets. It is unclear whether Rosenhaus has spoken to the Packers about a long-term deal.

At the combine last month, Rosenhaus declined to talk about Shields' situation.

The Packers are not taking the same risk with Shields that they are taking with C Evan Dietrich-Smith, who received the low tender on Monday. Dietrich-Smith also wasn't drafted so there is no compensation tied to him and the best the Packers could do if he were to receive an offer sheet is to match it.

With Shields getting the second-round tender and Dietrich-Smith the low tender, the Packers have used $3.346 million of salary cap money on restricted free agents. They have three other RFAs in TE Tom Crabtree, LB Robert Francois and LB Frank Zombo.

Francois and Zombo are not likely to be tendered and will become free agents. The Packers may try to re-sign them after they are let go. It's unclear whether they intend to tender Crabtree.


(jsonline.com)

Green Bay - Free agency means different things to different people.

In the case of the Green Bay Packers, it doesn't mean sifting through options and targeting prizes as much as managing a system that requires every team to make critical decisions about its future.

In the case of cornerback Sam Shields and possibly center Evan Dietrich-Smith, it means getting ready to move into a new tax bracket.

The focus in NFL free agency typically lands on unrestricted free agents like Joe Flacco, Greg Jennings, Steven Jackson and Wes Welker, but when the NFL calendar year begins March 12, the Packers will be investing a solid chunk of change in at least four of their five restricted free agents.

To maintain the rights to a restricted free agent - anyone with three years of experience whose contract has expired - a team must submit one of three qualifying offers, each of which comes attached with a level of compensation a team must pay for signing one of these free agents.

In the case of Shields and Dietrich-Smith, the Packers will have to decide whether to use the top or middle tender offer.

The highest tender sets compensation at a first-round pick, the middle tender sets it at a second-round pick and the low tender sets it at the round in which the player was drafted. In any of the three cases, the original team has the right to match any offer made to its restricted free agent.

The difficult part for general manager Ted Thompson is that both Shields and Dietrich-Smith were not drafted, so if the low tender is placed on them, there would be no compensation awarded if the Packers didn't match the offer.

Shields took his game to a starter's level and anyone who saw him pick off San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick and return it for a touchdown in the Packers' divisional playoff loss knows he's for real. One element of the game the 5-11, 184-pound Shields improved on the most was his tackling, something his fellow starter, Tramon Williams, did not do well at last year.

After the 49ers loss, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt praised Shields for his improvement from 2011, especially after coming back from a high ankle sprain.

"To come back and play - especially the last six games - the way that he's played, I think is very encouraging to what he can be in the future," Whitt said.

Arguably, Shields could be the team's No. 1 corner next year given his much sought-after skill set, willingness to tackle and experience. But he still has to prove he can be as consistent in coverage as Williams and not have the mental lapses that resulted in him giving up big plays.

Regardless, the Packers are going to have to protect themselves either by offering him one of the two highest tenders or signing him to a long-term deal. The latter will be discussed, but a decision on which tender is offered will most likely have to be made.

Here's the difficult part about setting the compensation at a first-round pick: It requires a one-year offer of $2,879,000. For Shields, it would mean an increase in salary of more than $2.3 million from 2012.

If the Packers use the second-round tender, his salary would be $2,023,000, which is an increase of roughly $1.45 million. The lowest tender, which would present a huge risk if given to Shields, carries a one-year salary of $1,323,000.

Two NFL personnel directors and two agents with Packers clients all said they thought Shields was deserving of a second-round tender. The fact that not a single restricted free agent has changed teams since 2008 and none has signed an offer sheet since '09 signifies how little restricted free agency is used.

In most cases, teams submit offers to lesser-known players, hoping to get a bargain. The last Packer to sign a tender offer was cornerback Jarrett Bush in 2009. The Packers ended up matching it.

"(Shields is a) very good role player as a third corner, but he is small and more than likely it's safe to assume he will have some injuries because of the lack of size," one personnel director said. "This is a tough one that I'm glad we don't have to ponder this year.

"I am guessing they will do the two and will always have the (match) if someone does offer and they want to keep him."

Another factor in making an offer to Shields is setting the market for a long-term deal. If the Packers use a first-round tender on Shields, agent Drew Rosenhaus has an admission by the team that Shields is worth big money, which he can use to his advantage at the bargaining table.

"Shields? High-tender, I'll bet," one of the agents said. "I wouldn't though. There's lots of UFA (unrestricted free agent) cornerbacks (available) and no one ever moves."

Whatever the case, the tenders do affect the Packers' salary cap. It will cost them roughly $2.4 million against the cap per player to offer the first, $1.6 million to offer the second and $850,000 to offer the low.

In addition to Shields and Dietrich-Smith, the Packers' other restricted free agents are tight end Tom Crabtree, linebacker Robert Francois and linebacker Frank Zombo. If tenders aren't made to any of those players, they automatically become unrestricted free agents.

Dietrich-Smith is another player Thompson is going to have to think long and hard about. He moved into a starting role at the end of last year and is looked upon as the center of the future, so losing him would be a huge blow to the offensive line.

If Thompson offers the low tender, he can always match the offer, thereby letting some other team negotiate a long-term deal for him. However, there are other teams seeking centers and the best ones available in free agency are restricted, so the chance to sign one without having to give up any compensation could result in a deal the Packers don't want to pay.

If the Packers put the second-round tender on both Shields and Dietrich-Smith it would cost them $3.2 million in salary cap dollars. They are certain to offer at least the low-round tenders to Crabtree and Francois, which would tack on another $1.7 million. It's doubtful they'll make an offer to Zombo, although they could re-sign him at a lower wage once he becomes a free agent.

After cutting safety Charles Woodson, the Packers are nearly $21 million under the salary cap. That total does not include the restricted free agent tenders, which would count against the cap as soon as the calendar year begins.


(jsonline.com)

Green Bay — There will be no guarantees at cornerback for the Packers in 2013. On Tuesday, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. made that much clear. When players report back to Green Bay, four cornerbacks may engage in an open competition.

Whitt praised the improvement of third-year corner Sam Shields and indicated that Shields, Tramon Williams, Casey Hayward and Davon House will all have an opportunity to start next season.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who are going to be the guys who run out there on Day One,” Whitt said, “because right now I couldn’t tell you who’s going to do what because the way that Sam and Casey have played. And with Tramon and House there, there’s four guys that are vying for two spots. Maybe three with nickel. It will be interesting to see who gets it.”

Making things is interesting is Shields. After a strong finish this season, he may be ready to take on the opposition's top wide receiver next season. Upon returning from his high ankle sprain Dec. 9, Shields' performance "was comparable, if not better than Tramon’s in 2010," Whitt said. In 2010, Williams' string of big plays helped the Packers reach the Super Bowl.

Of course, it was only one year ago Shields was plagued by missed tackles.

Whitt said Shields cut his missed tackles by half this season and called him the best tackler on the team.

“Him and (Jarrett Bush) are the most physical corners that we have, but he’s the best tackling one that we have,” Whitt said. “He put that on film. That’s not me talking. …The only reason I’m talking about it is because he took so much criticism in the way he performed last year through training camp. And to come back and play — especially the last six games — the way that he’s played, I think is very encouraging to what he can be in the future.”

In Shields’ final six games, he had 21 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and four interceptions. He opened up Green Bay’s loss at San Francisco with a pick returned for a touchdown.

Whitt wouldn’t say that Williams -- the team’s No. 1 cornerback since 2010 -- necessarily had a down season. The coach said he still "graded out pretty well." But Shields’ finish and Hayward’s standout rookie season has made things interesting heading into next season.

Excelling in the slot, the second-round pick from Vanderbilt finished fifth in the NFL with six interceptions.

"Casey probably played better than anyone, and you all, expected him to play and probably played better than I expected him to play," Whitt said. "So the competition in the room has gotten better. So that’s the case.

“I believe in not allowing anybody to be comfortable. We don’t work in a business where we can get comfortable. And so, the guys, I always say their play will dictate who runs through the tunnel. The guys that play the best will play, that practice the best, that have the best test. We’re about winning championships and we fell short. That’s our charge.”


(jsonline.com)

The Green Bay Packers coaching staff awarded four game balls from the NFC Wild Card playoff victory over the Vikings on Saturday night. They went to FB John Kuhn on offense, LB Clay Matthews and CB Sam Shields on defense, and rookie LB Terrell Manning on special teams.

Shields was credited by the press box statisticians with seven tackles, a team high. He also broke up two passes and had an interception, the third of his career in the postseason.


(packers.com)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) celebrates his interception with teammate Tramon Williams (38) during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Co-Offensive Players of the Week:

Reggie Wayne: proCane Colts WR Reggie Wayne caught five catches and scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter with a little over four minutes to play to help seal an unexpected playoff berth for a young Colts team. Wayne helped Luck break the single-season rookie passing record Sunday, ranks sixth in the NFL with 1,315 yards and fifth in receptions with 102. Wayne extended his NFL record 63 game streak of having 3 or more receptions.

Andre Johnson: proCane Texans WR Andre Johnson recorded his 800th career reception in Sunday's loss to Minnesota, reaching the impressive milestone in the second-fewest games of any player in league history (Marvin Harrison). The 10th-year wide receiver built on another terrific season with a seven-catch performance, eclipsing the 100-catch plateau for the fourth time in his career. The Miami, Fla., native, who has the fourth-most catches of any active player, now ranks third in the NFL with 1,457 receiving yards and fifth with 100 receptions. Johnson finished the game with 7 catches for 97 yards.

Lamar Miller: proCane Dolphins RB Lamar Miller in his first chance at extended play for Miami this season didn’t disappoint. Miller rushed 10 times for 73 yards in Sunday's win over the Bills, leading the Dolphins in rushing. Miller is getting an extended look with Daniel Thomas out for the season, and showed big-play ability while filling in for Reggie Bush. He should go into the offseason no worse than second on the running back depth chart, and could be considered for a starting role if Bush doesn't re-sign.

Honorable Mention: Santana Moss, WR Redskins.

Defensive Players of Week:

Sam Shields: proCane Packers DB Sam Shields continued his stellar play after returning from injury three weeks ago. Shields had 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass deflection and 1 interception in Packers blowout victory over the Titans. Since his return Dec. 9 from an ankle injury, Shields has two interceptions in three games, his first sack in nearly two years and seven passes defensed, just a few stats to tell of his big hits, inseparable coverage and feisty nature in no man's land.
Honorable Mention: Calais Campbell, DE Cardinals.

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Matt Bosher: proCane Falcons P Matt Bosher continued his great 2nd season with four punts in Week 16. Bosher’s four punts totaled 167 yards with a long of 47 yards, and average of 41.8 yards and two punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.

GREEN BAY, WIS. - If Sam Shields walked by on the street, you might think he was a college student. He's so quiet, even his laugh is polite. If he has any swagger it's horribly unapparent.

Dressed in jeans, casual shoes and bundled against the cold in a simple brown jacket, he leaves Lambeau Field with his head down and hands punched into his pockets looking nothing like Green Bay's answer in the secondary.

And yet since his return Dec. 9 from an ankle injury, Shields has two interceptions in three games, his first sack in nearly two years and seven passes defensed, just a few stats to tell of his big hits, inseparable coverage and feisty nature in no man's land.

He came back from the injury a day after his 25th birthday and appears to be a more well-rounded player since he helped this team win the Super Bowl following the 2010 season, when he was an undrafted rookie free agent out of Miami.

Shields grabbed his latest interception last Sunday when he pounced on an underthrown ball by Titans quarterback Jake Locker. The third-year cornerback had studied all week and realized he needed to get his head around quickly against Tennessee whenever the Titans threw the deep ball.

"And that's what I did on that play," said Shields. "It was underthrown and I kind of did an awkward turnaround. I stuck my hand out."

The sack was basically a gift wrapped by Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who called No. 37 for a blitz.

"That's one of the calls I love -- I love to go in there and get the quarterback," said Shields.

How interesting is that? Sacks require a certain nature in a defender, one that the Packers hoped to draw out of their speed demon from Sarasota, Fla. After all, the man only had one career sack before that -- in the playoffs in 2010. One.

Rewind the calendar to 4 1/2 months ago, when it was noted that Shields wasn't having the best training camp. He might have been peeking in the backfield. It sure looked as if he was getting beat deep. When the coaches auditioned Jarrett Bush, Davon House and even rookie Casey Hayward, Shields' future looked questionable.

Three days ago, Shields shrugged it off as simple competition.

But veteran left cornerback Tramon Williams said Shields had another assignment, one that was under the radar but took precedence over everything else.

"The only thing that was ever questioned with Sam was his physicality," said Williams. "The kid has all the ability in the word. Obviously he's not the biggest corner, but when you have to put your head in there, that's what they want to see."

Williams, listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, said he sees it every year. Coaches want to experiment in camp. They put Shields through the ringer and demanded that he first put some pop in his tackle. The coverage stuff was important but he had to answer: Could he hit?

"And he showed that," said Williams. "He was focusing more on his physicality at that point and he's gotten that part of his game good."

Shields was playing well enough to start the 2012 season but against Houston Oct. 14, he suffered shin, knee and, more seriously, ankle injuries. He missed six games and seven weeks of work. He couldn't even walk at first because of the pain. He said the only way to return from that injury was to make sure he had his famous speed back.

Three weeks ago, it was. He shut down a reverse by the Detroit Lions, caught an interception and had a shot at two more. He says he feels no ill effects of the injury at all.

That's clear. He stuck to the hips of Tennessee wideout Kenny Britt like the cream cheese frosting of a Christmas carrot cake.

And two games ago at Chicago, when push came to shove, Shields shoved back. Guarding 6-3 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who was targeted four times, Shields didn't allow a single completion.

"Sam did a great job on him," said Hayward. "I'm not sure he got open all that much."

But Shields also tapped into that physical training from camp as soon as he was shoved to the ground by Jeffery in the end zone of Soldier Field. Mr. Nice Guy looked mad as you-know-what. He played that way. Shields also got a few pass interference calls go his way -- on the offense for once. But he said that wasn't just luck.

"While we watch film, we see guys on other teams get grabbed and pushed, and we're like, why don't they call that?" said Shields. "So we're always fighting for that call. Even during training camp when the officials come to practice, we ask why. Sometimes they don't see it. We study guys that push and grab. Most of the times it's the big receivers that push and grab."

Shields is the lightest player on the roster, 8 pounds under the next lightest, Randall Cobb and Hayward. He hasn't gained an ounce since his rookie season. He loves to train in the off-season by running. He's built for basketball, a point guard on a football field.

But he's making the most of what he has by adding physical tackling to his already legendary speed.


(startribune.com)

Co-Offensive Players of the Week:

Leonard Hankerson: proCane Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson caught two passes for 56 yards with two touchdowns in the Redskins' Week 15 win over the Browns. Hankerson made the most of his two targets. His first score came when he blew past Sheldon Brown and Kirk Cousins threaded the needle between three Browns for a 54-yard score in the first quarter. His second touchdown came on a simple goal-line bootleg from Cousins. Don't chase these plays as Hankerson continues to rotate with Josh Morgan opposite No. 1 target Pierre Garcon.

Andre Johnson: proCane Texans WR Andre Johnson caught 11 balls for 151 yards and a touchdown as the Texans defeated the Colts 29-17 in Week 15.
He was targeted 13 times, a game high on either side of the ball. Johnson was truly dominant against Colts top CB Vontae Davis, consistently winning 50:50 balls in the air and scoring from three yards out on a rub route deep in the red zone. Johnson has reasserted himself at age 31 as a top-five NFL receiver and likely future Hall of Famer. The past eight games have been the most productive stretch of Johnson's career, averaging 8.4 catches and 119.6 yards per game. He needs just seven receptions and 140 yards to join Marvin Harrison as the only receivers with at least 100 catches and 1,500 yards in three seasons. Andre Johnson also topped 11,000 career receiving yards this week

Honorable Mention: Travis Benjamin WR Browns, Jimmy Graham TE Saints, Frank Gore RB 49ers.

Defensive Players of Week:

Calais Campbell: proCane Cardinals DE Calais Campbell in his first game back from a calf injury played his best all-around game since Week 2 at New England despite still dealing with the lingering effects of a calf injury that sidelined him for a month. He wasn’t in pain while he recorded eight tackles, four for losses, a sack, a quarterback hurry and a pass deflection, but his calf wasn’t completely healed either.
Honorable Mention: Sam Shields DB Packers

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Matt Bosher: proCane Falcons P Matt Bosher continued his great 2nd season though this week he only had two punts but made them count. Bosher’s two punts totaled 100 yards with a long of 61 yards, and average of 50 yards and one touchback.

Offensive Player of the Week:

Reggie Wayne: proCane Colts WR Reggie Wayne caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 14, 27-23 win over the Titans. Wayne was targeted 10 times on the afternoon and caught his touchdown pass from four yards out to get the Colts on the board in the first quarter. Wayne extended his NFL record 61 game streak of having 3 or more receptions.

Honorable Mention: Greg Olsen

Co-Defensive Players of Week:

Sam Shields: proCane Packers DB Sam Shields in his first game back from a high-ankle sprain that kept him out nearly two months regained his old spot by the second quarter. Shields returned with four tackles and an interception in Sunday's win over the Lions. Shields was targeted 5 times and only allowed one completion.

Antrel Rolle: proCane New York Giants DB Antrel Rolle recorded a fumble recovery and forced fumble on successive drives, adding in six tackles in a stout defensive performance. Through Week 14, Rolle ranks first on the team in solo tackles (61) and second on the team in total tackles (79).
Honorable Mention: Vince Wilfork DL New England Patriots finished the game with 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and numerous plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Travis Benjamin: proCane Browns WR Travis Benjamin proved to provide the momentum the Browns needed to run away with their 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Benjamin turned in a record-setting punt return when he ran 93 yards for a touchdown to open the second quarter. It was Benjamin’s first NFL punt return for a TD which also earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Benjamin's touchdown was the first on a punt return for a Cleveland rookie since 1967, and the first for any returner not named Josh Cribbs since 2005. Adding the longest punt return in franchise history to his resume, the Belle Glade, Fla., native now has over 400 all-purpose yards in his first season, including 296 on punt and kick returns.

In his first game back from a high-ankle sprain that kept him out nearly two months, CB Sam Shields had regained his old spot by the second quarter. After a couple of early mistakes by replacement starter Davon House, who'd been playing well for the most part over the span, Shields was back on the outside in his No. 2 cornerback position, where he'd started the first five games for the Packers.

His return to the field couldn't have gone much better. Shields had one of the Packers' two key defensive takeaways in their 27-20 win over the Lions, athletically appearing out of nowhere to intercept Detroit QB Matthew Stafford deep in Green Bay territory in the second quarter. His return on the pick was impressive, too, as he brought the ball back 32 yards, showing off his speed.

“Sam played well. It was great to have him out there,” coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. “You know Sam can run, but you really appreciate what he does, in particular on big plays, whether it's chasing down a reverse or, obviously, the interception was a big play for us.

“It was great to have him back and his presence on special teams. He's just an ascending young player that gets better with every opportunity.”

With Shields back, the Packers had a glut of young cornerbacks that rendered the Lions' injury-depleted receiving corps toothless. Besides colossal All-Pro Calvin Johnson, who caught 10 passes for 118 yards, only one other receiver (Kris Durham) had a reception.

Shields' partner in the secondary, CB Tramon Williams, who covered Johnson, was glad to have his sidekick back.

“Sam showed what he can do (Sunday) and showed what he can bring to this team,” Williams said. “I hope he continues playing like he did.”

The Packers hope to get veteran DB Charles Woodson back this week against the Bears. Woodson has been out with a broken collarbone since Week 7. Before his injury, he was playing safety in the base defense and slot cornerback in the oft-used nickel package.

With Woodson in the fold, the Packers would have five capable cornerbacks -- Williams, Shields, House, Woodson and rookie Casey Hayward (five interceptions) -- available in passing situations. It may not be an embarrassment of riches, but it's an abundance of competent cornerbacks in time for the playoff push.


(cbssports.com)

Dom Capers doesn't like to use the term starter when addressing the components of his defense.

Whatever the overlying classification, however, it took all of one quarter of football for Sam Shields to reclaim a significant role on the Packers' defense.

In his first game in nearly two months, the third-year cornerback showed no rust in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Lions despite missing six games because of a high-ankle sprain.

After coming in on the defense's third series, Shields cashed in with three tackles, two pass deflections and a game-altering interception of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second quarter.

On Monday, Capers said the Packers planned to get Shields involved in the defense at some point, but it turned out he saw 58 defensive snaps after relieving Davon House on the Lions’ third series.

While Capers wouldn’t go as far as to say Shields has earned his starting spot back - he started five games before his injury - his natural play-making ability is apparent.

“I really don’t look at starting spots,” Capers said. “I know this, I was happy to have Sam back and I thought he went in and made a significant contribution last night.

“It’s nice to have him back out there. So how we end up using those guys will be based off of personnel groupings. But I know that you can get short with those guys in a hurry.”


(greenbayprssgazette.com)

Green Bay --- There was a shred of good news on the injury front Wednesday. Two of Green Bay's defensive backs are close to being back. Sam Shields is hoping to return this week from his high ankle sprain and Charles Woodson practiced for the first time since breaking his collarbone Oct. 21.

"One-hundred percent right now," Shields said. "I'm ready to roll."

Both Shields and Woodson officially practiced on a "limited" basis Wednesday. Earlier this week, coach Mike McCarthy indicated that the Packers may be targeting a Dec. 16 return for Woodson at Chicago. Shields sounded eager to return this weekend against Detroit. The third-year cornerback has been sidelined since Oct. 14.

In six games, Shields' tackling -- a problem in 2011 -- was improved as he started at cornerback opposite Tramon Williams. Shields had 18 tackles, one interception and three pass break-ups before the injury at Houston. In his absence, rookie Casey Hayward (five interceptions, 16 pass break-ups) and Davon House (22 tackles, five break-ups) have performed well. House has taken on receivers out wide with Hayward in the slot.

After allowing the most passing yards in league history last season, the Packers rank 17th. They're also fifth in opposing passer rating (76.9)

Shields said he's not worried about who will be playing where when he returns.

"I don't really think about that," Shields said. "They've been doing a hell of a job. All I can do is whatever they tell me to do and be ready -- be ready for that opportunity."


(jsonline.com)

Charles Woodson and Sam Shields will not return to the field this week. The Packers ruled them out Wednesday.

The door is still open for Clay Matthews to return, but it's open just a crack.

Matthews wants to test his hamstring again on Friday before the team makes a decision, but he looks doubtful to play against the Minnesota Vikings.

On the positive side, Greg Jennings will play Sunday. It's his first game since Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints.


(wbay.com)

Green Bay --- Sam Shields wouldn't point to one play or one accident. But, as it turns out, the ankle injury that has sidelined the Packers cornerback since Oct. 14 is worse than originally thought.

On Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy said Shields had a "setback" and would be out "a couple weeks."

"So, he’s not making the improvement that we hoped," McCarthy said. "It’s a little more serious injury than we anticipated."

Shields, who worked at wide receiver on the Packers' scout team last week, was listed as "questionable" for the Packers' game at Detroit. Shields indicated he had suffered a high ankle sprain and expressed optimism to return soon. Though he wouldn't specify the reason behind the setback, Shields reiterated that nothing happened since last week. There's a chance he tried to return too soon.

"Coach said it's a setback. I just think it's the same thing," Shields said. "I just have to keep rehabbing. ... We're just going day by day right now. Week by week. I don't know."

The Packers don't necessarily need Shields back on the field pronto. Rookie Casey Hayward and second-year corner Davon House have improved throughout the season. And in Green Bay's 24-20 win over the Lions, Hayward had five pass break-ups and an interception with House adding a sack and one break-up of his own.

In the secondary, Green Bay has more depth this season.

"Like we preach all the time, when somebody goes down, somebody else has to stand up," Shields said. "Those guys are doing a hell of a job. Like you see, House is covering his butt off. And also Casey. So when somebody goes down, they have to be ready and that's what they're doing."

House has been sporting a harness this season, though said he's now playing the way he wants to.

This weekend, he'll have his biggest test yet against the New York Giants.

"I'm really comfortable," House said. "This week's a big week -- a lot bigger than last week with Victor Cruz and (Hakeem) Nicks out there. And you have elite Eli throwing the ball. We have a tough challenge this week. ...They have four great receivers out there. They might be one of the best receiving corps out there. So it's going to be fun. A challenge."

As for Shields, the wait will continue.

The third-year corner acknowledged that this is disappointing. But he is hoping to return to the team for the stretch run. At some point.

"It's frustrating but things like that," I just have to keep my mind positive and just keep getting the rehab and trying to get better to get back out on the field and get ready for the stretch down the road."


(jsonline.com)

Green Bay - Initially, the injuries Sam Shields suffered against Houston Oct. 14 were to his shin and knee.

But it soon became clear that the worst of the damage was to his ankle.

Shields said it was fair to characterize it as a high ankle sprain, which in most cases takes much longer to heal than a traditional sprain on the outside of the ankle and explains why he has missed three games and probably will miss a fourth this week.

"I knew by the pain," Shields said. "I couldn't walk or nothing. I knew something was bad. But right now, it's getting much better. I'm out there running and each day it's getting better."

Shields did his first bit of full-speed running Thursday, serving as a wide receiver on the scout team.

"It was like the good old days," he said, referring to his first three years at the University of Miami when he was a receiver.

It doesn't appear that Shields will play this week against the Lions, but he has not been ruled out. Based on how he feels Friday, he may be allowed to play on defense in practice.

"That’s what he needs," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He needs to get out there and put that foot in the ground. I definitely felt starting Monday to today he looked much better. We’ll see how he feels in the
morning. This is the most work Sam had today of the week."

Shields was starting when he got hurt and his spot has been taken by rookie Casey Hayward, who has played at a very high level. When Shields comes back, the coaches will have to make a decision on which of those two, or second-year pro Davon House will start.

Last week, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said that Hayward and House are competing each week
for the starting job and will continue to do so with Shields when he comes back. House offers a bigger body on the perimeter than Hayward and can match up against bigger receivers.

Asked how House has been handling playing with a shoulder harness, McCarthy said: "Good. I think Davon House is improving this week, had a big-time interception in the red zone period today.

"You’re seeing him make those plays that he was making before the injury in training camp."

The Packers play so much nickel Hayward and House will both be on the field a lot no matter who starts. In the nickel, Hayward plays the slot and House plays outside.


(jsonline.com)

The way rookie Casey Hayward has played, it’s hard to imagine his snap count getting reduced when Sam Shields returns from his ankle injury.
With Shields back on the practice field this week, the Green Bay Packers will have to make the difficult decision of how to divide playing time between the two cornerbacks.
Shields was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, and the team hasn’t said whether he will be available for Sunday’s game at Detroit. Shields returned to practice this week for the first time since he was injured at Houston on Oct. 14, when he was inadvertently kicked in the leg by a teammate.
The following week at St. Louis, Hayward made his first career start. In that game, he picked off his fourth pass in a three-game stretch. His first three interceptions came when he was playing in a part-time role as the sixth defensive back in the Packers’ dime package.
The second-round draft pick from Vanderbilt is tied for third in the NFL with those four interceptions and has 12 pass breakups, second on the team to Tramon Williams (15).
Hayward on Wednesday said he has not been told what, if anything, would change for him when Shields is game ready.
“I feel I’ve been doing pretty well making plays,” Hayward said. “I’ve still got some things I can work on, but overall I think I’ve been doing pretty well.”
Shields, too, had been playing well before his injury. So it’s possible he could return to his starting role, and Hayward could go back to playing the slot position in the nickel and dime packages. Unlike Hayward, Shields plays strictly on the outside.
“Every week I’m more comfortable playing inside and outside,” Hayward said. “I think I’ve done a good job doing both. So whatever my duty is, I’m going to be ready for it. If I’m starting, if I’m not starting, I’ll do whatever.”


(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Amidst the news that T Bryan Bulaga is out for the season, the Packers did get a few injured players back on the practice field on Monday.
CB Sam Shields (ankle) and DL Jerel Worthy (concussion), who have both missed games in recent weeks, returned to practice. Also, T Derek Sherrod, who has been on PUP since the start of the season, has begun practicing. The Packers activated a three-week practice window for Sherrod during the bye week and will now have two weeks to decide whether to add him to the active roster or place him on injured reserve.


(packers.com)

Packers RCB Sam Shields will compete with Casey Hayward and Davon House if he returns from his shin injury following the Week 10 bye.
Shields was the victim of a few questionable penalties early in the season, and it may be enough to cost him a starting job. Hayward was named NFL's defensive rookie of the month for October, and CBs coach Joe Whitt believes House has come "probably further along than anybody I've had."


(rotoworld.com)

Green Bay Packers CB Sam Shields (shin) was kicked in the right shin in the fourth quarter of the Week 6 game against the Houston Texans. He was carted off to the locker room for further evaluation.




(ewallstreeter.com)

INDIANAPOLIS – Sam Shields still isn’t sure what constitutes a pass interference penalty, and worse yet, the Green Bay Packers cornerback can’t figure out why opposing wide receivers keep getting away with pushing him around.

Two weeks ago in Seattle, Shields was called for a stunning 32-yard pass interference penalty on a first-and-30 play, even though Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice went over his back and grabbed his facemask while trying to catch the ball. Then, as Packers fans know all too well, Shields was shoved to the ground on the controversial game-winning Hail Mary touchdown, a play after which the NFL admitted Shields should’ve drawn an offensive pass interference call on wideout Golden Tate.

So it was only adding to Shields’ rotten luck during Sunday’s 30-27 loss at Indianapolis when Colts wide receiver Donnie Avery shoved Shields on a deep ball down the right sideline … and Shields was flagged for a 25-yard pass-interference penalty. Four plays later, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck scored on a 3-yard run to cut the Packers’ lead to 21-19.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I didn’t go to the ref and ask or anything like that. In my eyes, that was kind of a bad call,” Shields said of the play. “But there’s nothing I can do. That’s what they called. You’re going to get bad calls. You’re going to get good calls. You just have to go to the next play, keep going.”

Asked what he saw on the play, Packers coach Mike McCarthy replied, “Whew, I didn’t see anything. I didn’t see anything.”

Shields said teammate Charles Woodson spoke to one of the officials after the play looking for an explanation.

“He went to the official and (the official) was saying the defender can’t be on top of the receiver – kind of like blocking him out. I never heard of that but that’s what ‘Wood’ said to me,” Shields said. “Like I keep saying over and over, all we can do is come in tomorrow and correct the mistakes. There were some penalties that we can’t have that hurt us.”


(espnmilwaukee.com)

In a hurry to pick up his mother at the airport, cornerback Sam Shields took a few minutes to talk to the Journal Sentinel's Tyler Dunne about his mother's influence, "The U" and winning the starting cornerback job.

What do you like to do during your free time in Green Bay? Just relax. I really like to go to the movies. Later, I'm going to see Taken 2. I love watching movies. I'm going with my mom.

What's your relationship like with your mom? It's a big bond. I talk to her every day. Any time I have questions or anything, I talk to her. It's a great relationship. Every day, we talk. We talk a lot. Sometimes, we'll be on the phone for two hours.

What do you talk about? Just what's going on around, how my kids are doing, how my high school is doing. She still goes to the high school games.

How many kids do you have? Three.

What's it like being a father for three kids? It's tough but they know their dad and love their dad so it's all good.

How old are they? Three, three and five.

What are they up to? School. Just being kids.

Is it difficult when you're in Green Bay and they're in Sarasota, Florida? It is. But they know their dad is at work.

Are you close with your father, too? Yeah, we talk a lot but it's not like my mom. My parents have been together for 27 years.

Mom come out to Green Bay a lot? Yeah. She'll come in on the holidays and sometimes throughout the holidays.

What's the No. 1 thing you learned from your parents? Just being respectful. Respect people and learn how to talk to people. When things go wrong, don't cuss somebody out. Just learn how to walk away and things like that.

Is that why you never seemed to upset last season when things weren't going well? You can't. You get down on yourself, hey, you go in a hole. You go in a deep hole. You just try to let it go and keep working.

How much has that helped you bounce back from last year when your job was in jeopardy during the summer? It's part of football. Everybody goes through that. It's just how you handle it. I try to handle it the best way I can and just keep working. Things like that are going to happen - fighting for a position. I'll be fighting for a position next year. That happens. You just can't get down. You have to keep working.

How did you win the cornerback spot? Not giving up. Like I said, keep working. When there were guys in front of me, just keep competing. I love competing. All of my life, I've been competing. So it's nothing new.

Do you miss "The U?" Yeah, I do.

Best college memories? Just the big family of "The U." The partying part. I'm not going to lie, I miss that. I don't really party like that anymore. It gets old.

Is it a big party down there? Yeah, in Miami you never sleep. It goes on until 6 o'clock in the morning. And then you're back at it again.

So what's it like to change? It's your job. I'm always in the house here, working in the house. And when I get back home, I'm still the same way. Sometimes, I'll be in the house for two days and say, "Man, I need to get out and do something."

What do you do around the house? I just watch TV, watch TV on the computer. I'll talk with my family and friends. Time goes by so fast it's like, "Dang, we have to get ready for practice in the morning."

Favorite shows on TV? "The First 48." And I love the Animal Planet, too. How tigers and cheetahs live, it's kind of crazy. I like watching how they really live. They kind of live like us, but they're animals, you know?


(jsonline.com)

The cameras focused on Clay Matthews destroying Jay Cutler, the announcers raved about Tramon Williams shutting out Brandon Marshall, and fans cheered as the Packers took a 10-0 halftime lead on the Bears after a surprise field goal resulted in a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Sam Shields kept silently plugging away.

Shields spent most of his time tracking Alshon Jeffry, helping to limit the rookie to one catch for seven yards.  Shields never did anything flashy — the Packers had Matthews, Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams to make the big plays. The third-year CB just did what the Packers needed him to do: Be fundamentally sound in pass coverage and get physical if needed.

The physical part started against San Francisco, as documented by Rob Demovsky here and highlighted in the video below.



In case you don’t believe what you just saw, that was Shields going hard after the ballcarrier (Frank Gore, nonetheless) and stopping him short of a first down. We didn’t see Shields stick his nose in there like that last season, and it’s a major reason why Shields had to fight to get his job back this season.

Shields played 60 of 63 snaps against the Bears and was only targeted once (on a pass to Devin Hester). After catching three passes for 80 yards in the season opener, Jeffry never sniffed the ball with Shields on him.

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said that the Bears game was one of Shields’ best “since he got here.”

Maybe some competition was just what Shields needed. As an undrafted rookie fighting to make the team, Shields looked like the next great Ted Thompson find in 2010. With some job security and a Super Bowl ring on his resume, Shields tumbled in 2011.

Jarrett Bush got the start over Shields against the 49ers and guys like Casey Hayward and Davon House pushed Shields all throughout training camp. Once he gets healthy, House will likely continue to try and take as much playing time away from Shields as possible.

Competition is a good thing. Who knows? Maybe Shields will go back to his passive self. Every defender played well against the Bears. That’s not going to happen every week.

I’d still like to see how Shields reacts when the ball is in the air and he needs to go up to make a play. He’s looked more aggressive tackling, but he also needs to be aggressive and physical when he’s going up for a jump ball against a wide receiver.

We might not have noticed how well Shields played on Thursday, but if he keeps showing signs of being the promising player he once was, we’ll notice soon enough.


(jerseyal.com)

GREEN BAY — In the middle of a crowded locker room after the Green Bay Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears on Thursday, cornerback Sam Shields saw a couple of reporters approaching and made a faux tackling move. Apparently, he’s taking this emphasis on tackling seriously.

“It was what we wanted, what the coaches were looking for,” Shields said. “We came together. Our main focus was getting off the field on third down.”

Sometimes all it takes is one play to restore a player’s confidence, and no one needed that more than Shields, the third-year pro. After a poor 2011 season, especially as a tackler, Shields’ playing time depended in large part on his ability to get physical.

Given a limited role on defense to start the season, it took only one week for Shields’ playing time to increase.

One play in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers might have done the trick. It came on a third-and-2 swing pass to 49ers running back Frank Gore, who caught the ball in the left flat and headed up the field toward the first-down marker. Shields came up from his right cornerback position and tackled Gore short of the first down line, which a replay challenge confirmed.

At the time, it seemed like a potential momentum-turning play because it gave the Packers the ball back with nine minutes left and a chance to tie the game, but it went for naught because Aaron Rodgers threw an interception on the next play and Gore scored on a 23-yard touchdown run on the play after that.

Still, it was a confidence booster for Shields, who said he needed that “just for myself because I knew that’s what I needed to work on.”

More importantly, it gave defensive coordinator Dom Capers the confidence to expand Shields’ role for the Bears game. Shields went from playing only in the sub packages against the 49ers to the starting right cornerback against the Bears. It was perhaps all Capers needed to see to make the switch from Jarrett Bush to Shields. Bush didn’t play a single snap on defense against the Bears, while Shields played 60 of 63 snaps.

“(That tackle was) a confidence boost for me, yes, seeing him get that guy down because that guy’s hard to get down,” Capers said. “He’s one of the better runners in the league. But I think (Shields) is playing a more physical brand of football than what he has. I think he has put an emphasis on it, and he knows we’ve emphasized it, and I think he’s done a nice job.”

With fellow starting cornerback Tramon Williams assigned to cover Brandon Marshall — and at times Capers rolled a safety toward Marshall — Shields was left mostly on his own to cover rookie receiver Alshon Jeffrey, who had three catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ Week 1 win over Indianapolis. Shields didn’t allow a single completion and his coverage was so solid that quarterback Jay Cutler threw at him only once, on a pass to Devin Hester. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Shields only has been targeted twice in the first two games, allowing just one completion for 6 yards.

“We felt good about some of the things that Sam did in the 49er game and after looking at game (Thursday) night, I thought Sam had one of his best games since he’s been here,” Capers said. “Obviously, we matched up and had Tramon going with Marshall, and most of the time he had some help whether it be inside, outside or over the top. So Sam was on his own a lot of times on Jeffrey, and I thought he really did a nice job.”

Halfway through training camp, it looked like playing time might be scarce for Shields, who served as the third cornerback in the nickel package for most of 2010 and 2011. He missed two weeks this preseason because of an elbow injury and had slipped down the depth chart.

Still, Shields may have to fight for playing time. Davon House, who was on his way to winning the right cornerback spot until he injured his shoulder in the preseason opener, could be available for Monday’s game at Seattle. Also, rookie Casey Hayward, who moved into the dime package in the Bears’ game, played well in his first extended action.

“Who knows what will happen,” Shields said. “Like I’ve said, I just have to keep grinding and do what I’ve got to do.”


(thenorthwestern.com)

Green Bay - If you find out who is going to start at right cornerback for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, contact Sam Shields, because he has no idea.

Neither Shields nor anyone else in the secondary has been told whether it will be Shields or Jarrett Bush when the Packers line up against the San Francisco 49ers. It has been assumed that Bush would be the starter, but Shields' strong performance in the final exhibition game changed things.

Shields and Bush have been rotating in practice mostly and sometimes playing together when left cornerback Tramon Williams gets a breather.

"I wish I knew," Shields said. "I'm anxious just like y'all. I wish I could tell you. I just come in here and do what I can do. Whatever they come up with, I'm ready to rock and roll."

It might not seem like that big of a deal who starts because the Packers are going to play a lot of nickel with both Shields and Bush on the field together, at least until injured Davon House comes back.

But it's a source of pride for both guys and it does mean being on the field for just about every snap of the game. Shields' only start last year came against Carolina after Williams suffered a shoulder injury in the opener.

From his vantage point, Williams sees the coaches stretching out the competition between Bush and Shields one more week. Essentially, they are making them prove who is more worthy based on his week of practice.

"You can't just stop the competition because the competition has been so good," Williams said. "Those guys get better and better with competition. Why not keep it going? The worst case, everyone is going to play. They're going to contribute to this team.

"The more good DBs you have the better you can do in this league."

In addition to the corner position, the Packers still have not revealed to reporters who will start at safety in the nickel package.


(jsonline.com)

Green Bay - This was the Sam Shields that the Green Bay Packers have been trying to find since his rookie season of 2010.

Aggressive and making plays on the ball.

Unafraid to tackle.

Running stride for stride with wide receivers deep down the field.

At one of the team's most vulnerable positions, Shields stood out Thursday as the Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-3, in the 52nd annual Bishop's Charities Game at Lambeau Field.

Thus, the Packers evened their exhibition record at 2-2, and 14-14 in seven seasons under coach Mike McCarthy. The Chiefs finished 1-3.

Now the Packers have until 8 p.m. Friday to reduce their 75-man roster to the final 53.

Here is a position-by-position rundown of developments against the Chiefs and how they might be reflected in roster deliberations:

Secondary: Jarrett Bush started his third game of the summer at right cornerback alongside Tramon Williams. They gave way to Shields, who played through the third quarter, and Casey Hayward, who played until halftime.

Shields wasn't perfect. He gave ground to talented Dwayne Bowe, who came back to the ball for a 9-yard reception. A few plays later, Steve Breaston, the other starter, worked free against press coverage from Shields and caught a pass for 11.

That was all Shields would give up.

In the second quarter, rookie Junior Hemingway tried to get deep but Shields covered him closely and the pass fell incomplete.

Then Brady Quinn, who had all day to throw, fired a second-and-goal pass from the 5 into the back of the end zone for wide receiver Jamar Newsome. Shields trailed him from the outside before accelerating to the ball for the pick.

Shields probably was even more impressive in the physical aspect of the game, which was his Achilles' heel a year ago.

He threw his body into a pile to help limit Shaun Draughn to 4 yards. He blitzed off the back side, flattened inside and dragged down Nate Eachus after a gain of 3. He made a superb open-field tackle in the middle of the field on wide receiver Josh Bellamy, who had eluded two safeties and seemed on his way to turn a 20-yard gain into 30 or 40.

Hayward had an interception nullified on an end-zone fade but also demonstrated some shortcomings trying to cover enormous Jon Baldwin. The Packers know what Bush is.

The San Francisco 49ers are a power running team. Bush would be the logical candidate to start the opener because he's clearly the most physical cornerback.

But based on this showing, Shields figures to be no worse than the dime back and, in obvious passing downs, the coaches would have to at least consider inserting him for Bush.


(jsonline.com)

It’s taken him nearly all of the preseason to get healthy but now that Sam Shields appears to be over the elbow injury that kept him out of the first two exhibition games, he knows exactly what he needs: One more good week.

“I think so,” Shields admitted after making his preseason debut Thursday at Cincinnati. “There’s always opportunities out there, and I’ve got one more week to do it.”

Shields likely will get extensive playing time in Thursday’s preseason finale against Kansas City.

Shields’ preseason debut against the Bengals was a mixed bag. He fell down in coverage against receiver A.J. Green in the second quarter only to get bailed out when Andy Dalton overthrew Green. Had the ball been on target, it might have gone for an 80-yard touchdown.

“I just tripped up,” Shields said. “Things like that happen, so you’ve just got to go to the next play. The turf was kind of bumpy, but that’s not an excuse.”

He also allowed a 30-yard reception by rookie Justin Hilton in the second half. But he made an athletic interception in the fourth quarter, picking off a Zac Robinson pass intended for receiver Ryan Whalen.

After playing most of the last two seasons as the Packers’ third cornerback in the nickel package, Shields now appears to be fighting for a roster spot. He has been demoted to the dime defensive back and hasn’t factored into the competition for the starting right cornerback spot, which appears to be down to Jarrett Bush, Casey Hayward and Davon House (if healthy). It could be an indication that Shields’ play hasn’t been up to par, or perhaps it’s a sign of how much more depth the Packers have at cornerback.

“I feel good about the secondary,” starting left cornerback Tramon Williams said. “All the guys have shown they can get the job done and make plays when they’re out there. This might be the deepest we’ve been in a long time in that secondary. Whatever move they make, I don’t think they can go wrong.”


(greenbaypressgazette.com)

The competition for spots in the defensive backfield has been ongoing throughout training camp, and one of the key competitors who had been missing for a couple of weeks was back in there Sunday.

Third-year CB Sam Shields returned from his elbow injury, and immediately got plenty of work. He got a fair number of snaps on Sunday in the No. 1 dime defense. Shields hasn’t played in either of the first two preseason games and saw fellow corners Davon House, Casey Hayward and Jarrett Bush continue to battle. House is now out with a shoulder injury, while Bush was back with the starters in the base defense Sunday.

“That’s part of the game,” Shields said. “You’re hurt, you have to watch the other dudes, and that’s when you have to do your mental reps. I’m back on the field now, so I just have to keep grinding.”

The Packers’ nickel corner the past two seasons, Shields knows his playing time in 2012 will come down in part to how he does in these final two preseason games. It’s his turn to make a splash in the competition, and there’s one part of his game he’s focusing on specifically.

“Just showing I can tackle, getting that trust back with the coaches,” he said. “That’s one of the big spots I have to keep working on, tackling, and I think I’m ready for it.”


(packers.com)

After injuring his elbow at practice on Aug. 6, Packers cornerback Sam Shields believes he’s about another week away from returning to the field.

The third-year cornerback has missed four practices and last Thursday’s preseason game with the elbow, but said he’s been going through treatment and has seen increased movement in it.

Shields had a slow start to camp before the injury, but looks to have an opportunity to contribute when he returns with cornerback Davon House now out for two-to-three weeks because of shoulder injury he sustained in the Chargers’ game.

With the team’s No. 2 cornerback spot still up for grabs, Shields is anxious to get back, but knows you can’t rush it. When he returns, however, Shields wants to continue to show his coaches he can be physical.

“I’m ready,” Shields said. “Keep doing what I’m supposed to do. Not a lot of mess-ups and like everyone keeps talking about, tackle. Getting them to trust that I can tackle.”


(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Cornerback Sam Shields says he’s feeling “much better,” though he’s not certain when he’ll be back on the practice field for the Green Bay Packers.

Shields injured an elbow on Aug. 6. It was a strange and scary situation, with Shields going down in a heap as running back Alex Green ran past him after catching a screen pass in a noncontact drill. Shields stayed on the Ray Nitschke Field turf for about five minutes before going back to the stadium for testing.

“My arm got stuck between Alex and the receiver and somebody ran by me and I was still caught and it just bent,” Shields said on Sunday. “It was scary at first. It’s a feeling like I’ve never felt before. It felt like it was broke. But I got back in (for testing) and it wasn’t that bad. It could have been worse. I’m good now.”

Shields, who worked as the Packers’ third cornerback for most of his first two seasons in the league, had fallen to No. 5 by the end of the first week of training camp. Shields, however, had gotten back on the upswing and was poised to push for his old job.

“He’s just got to stay focused on his opportunities in these other preseason games,” cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said last week. “We just have to get him back and back doing what he was doing. I’m not worried about the setback, I’m worried about what he does when he gets back.”

Shields found himself demoted at the end of last season, throughout the offseason and into training camp because of his poor tackling and general distaste for physical play. Shields heard the criticism and responded. Before the injury, Shields was clearly more physical.

“That was something that I needed to work on,” Shields said. “I was working my butt off trying to work on that. Each day, it got better and better. It’s just learning and wrapping my arms around. It felt like, ‘OK, I can do this.’ Now it feels natural to me, like I’ve been doing it. “

(scout.com)

Sam Shields may have to step out of that number two and three corner battle. Shields left with an elbow injury Monday night.

A lot of injuries caused practice to be cut short, just 1 hour and 45 minutes.


(wbay.com)

One surprise was seeing cornerback Sam Shields back returning kicks. Shields is probably the fastest player on the team, but he's never been clean fielding kickoffs. With his cornerback job in jeopardy, though, Shields would be wise to exploit any and all special teams chances.

Shields, a key cog in the Packers' 2010 Super Bowl run, struggled in coverage and with his tackling last season. Shields seemed like the odd man out early in camp, but was back working in dime packages Monday.

"I think they are all in the picture," coach Mike McCarthy said of the cornerbacks. ""But these guys need to play in games. That's where the playing time will come."


(cbssports.com)

Green Bay Packers tea coach Mike McCarthy on cornerback Sam Shields: “We want to see improvement, he is a very talented player with great speed but he is learning speed isn’t everything, technique is very important at that position, it’s improving.”



(jsonline.com)

Green Bay - Back home in South Florida, there are a lot of Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. Too many. Pulling no punches, friends made sure Sam Shields didn't forget his sorry attempt at contact.

You know the play. Tampa Bay running back LaGarrette Blount ripping through eight Green Bay defenders was the ultimate lowlight for the unit last season. Only, Blount didn't need to steamroll Shields. On the touchdown run, Shields approached the 247-pound back, had a point-blank chance at tackling him and ... barely laid a finger on him.

Friends didn't let Shields off the hook. Ten people? Twenty?

"A lot of cats were talking," Shields said. He lost count.

"It's motivation. You hear guys talking, 'Why didn't you do this? Why didn't you do that?' he said. "I just listen to it. I know what I have to do. They're not playing. I'm playing."

Shields had no comeback for them. The film spoke for itself. In 2011, the Packers cornerback played too soft, missed too many tackles. So now in training camp, he has been demoted. Veteran Jarrett Bush - not Shields - is lining up with the No. 1 defense at cornerback opposite Tramon Williams.

Considering Bush's limitations in man coverage, it's tough to see him winning the job. Still, it's a blaring wake-up call for Shields.

He is motivated by the coaches' decision.

"Most definitely," he said. "There's competition with everything. You could be up one time, down another time. You never know."

Possibly no player regressed more on defense than Shields in 2011. Two years ago, the undrafted Shields was a playoff hero - his two interceptions in the NFC Championship Game lifted Green Bay to the Super Bowl. Last season, he finished with 36 tackles, four interceptions, 14 pass breakups and many headaches. His speed is unquestioned. Beat in coverage at times, Shields was able to close fast to make plays.

But sloppy fundamentals and shoddy tackling plagued Shields throughout the season. By the postseason, he was benched.

This summer, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. told Shields he must play with more physicality. Above all, his tackling must improve.

"When running backs or receivers break out, you just need to come in and tackle," Shields said. "It's just getting into that routine so when the game time comes, you're used to it. So that's the thing Coach Whitt told me to keep doing."

Sitting on a table in the Packers locker room Friday, Shields jolts up to demonstrate. "Tagging off," he calls it. This is how he must tackle in 2012. He lifts his arms out and pretends to wrap up at someone's ankles. Too often last season, Shields threw a shoulder at a running back or receiver. Before his senior year at Miami (Fla.), he never played defense, period.

Shields has replayed the string of missed tackles - including that Blount run - in the film room. The embarrassment soaked in.

"Yeah, I've seen them," he said. "I go back and watch them. And most of the tackles that I did miss, it was me not bringing my arms around. Wrapping up. I just tried to go in like that with my shoulder - not wrapping up."

That's something Bush can do. The seventh-year cornerback has endeared himself to coaches and management alike with his all-out practice habits, gritty playing style and value on special teams.

When push comes to shove, there's no ignoring Bush's obvious deficiencies. Leaving Bush isolated on any receiver remains a hold-your-breath proposition. On Thursday, James Jones caught one lob over Bush's head with the cornerback's back turned. Bush will be pushed by Shields, second-year cornerback Davon House and rookie Casey Hayward.

He says he's "up for a good challenge." Bush and Shields have different, distinctive skill sets.

"Sam is very talented, very fast. Speed is his forte," Bush said. "And I have other strengths also. Obviously I'm here for a reason. I stuck around for a reason. That's what makes us unique, that's what makes us good."

Further, Shields admits teams probably studied him on film. He realizes now his eyes gave too much away. In 2011, Shields was caught peeking into the backfield. This year, he hopes to eliminate this bad habit.

He believes he's still the track-speed playmaker of 2010. When asked if the Shields of that conference title game will resurface, the 24-year-old appears irritated.

"I mean, that never went anywhere," he said. "I don't think it went anywhere. There are certain things I just have to work on. . . . It hasn't went anywhere. I'm telling you."

Contrary to what that Blount highlight may say, Shields vows he's not "scared" to tackle. The pads come on Saturday. If Shields pushes the limit, if he starts crossing the line, that's probably a good thing.

And one month from now, Shields hopes to earn his spot back.

"I want to be that guy," Shields said. "I just have to keep working and keep doing my job each day."


(jsonline.com)

A day after third-year cornerback Sam Shields talked about how he’s in a fight for his job, he did little to help himself.

In the first padded practice of training camp, Shields gave up a long touchdown to James Jones and another deep completion against the third-string offense, when rookie QB B.J. Coleman threw over the top of Shields and found rookie receiver Dale Moss.

Shields has held down the No. 3 cornerback job for most of the last two seasons, but he opened this training camp well down the depth chart. He hasn’t been part of the No. 1 nickel package and also isn’t getting the first shot to replace Charles Woodson when he goes to safety in the base. Jarrett Bush has that role for the time being.

“I think every year you have to fight for your job,” Shields said. “They’re bringing in new guys, that’s part of it. Each year you’ve got to grind no matter what.”
To make matters worse for Shields, by the end of practice he was replaced in the dime package by second-year pro Davon House.


(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Green Bay -- Tomorrow, the pads come on. Yet again, expect built-up frustration from months away from hitting. There will be quick whistles ending plays. Teams must be cautious. They cannot afford injuries in July.

But if Sam Shields pushes the limit? He probably won't be scolded too much.

Two days into training camp, coaches have sent an early message to the third-year cornerback --- get physical. Jarrett Bush, not Shields, has lined up with the first-team defense opposite Tramon Williams. After a up-and-down season of several missed tackles and shaky fundamentals, the pressure is on Shields to perform this summer. Considering Bush's limitations in man-to-man coverage, his promotion may be more of a wake-up call to Shields than anything.

The former undrafted cornerback out of Miami (Fla.) will be in a battle to retain his spot in the defense.

On Friday, Shields says he welcomes the competition. Asked what went through his mind when he found out Bush would be ahead of him on the depth chart, Shields said, "Nothing."

"It’s just competition and I’ve been there and everybody else has been there," Shields said. "So, hey, if there’s not competition there’s no fun. I love it and Jarrett loves it. It’s a big competition. ...I love competition. It’s the sport of football. You’re going to have competition every year. You can’t relax. You have to keep learning and keep working.”

Last season, Shields finished with 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions and 14 pass break-ups. His speed is unquestioned. The 5-foot-11, 184-pounder may be the fastest player on the entire team. Beat in coverage at times, Shields was able to catch up in a hurry to make a play. But his tackling woes also led to some big plays after contact -- something that isn't an issue for Bush.

This camp, Shields says that cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt told him to play more aggressive.

Too often, Shields admits, he simply threw his shoulder at a receiver or running back instead of wrapping up. He has gone back to the film and replayed his missed tackles.

"Yeah, I’ve seen them," he said. "I go back and watch them. And most of the tackles that I did miss, it was me not bringing my arms around. Wrapping up. I just tried to go in like that with my shoulder — not wrapping up.”

He has one month to figure it out. Shields is competing against Davon House and Casey Hayward just as much -- if not more -- than Bush. While Bush endears himself to coaches with his special teams play and physicality, it's hard to imagine them leaving him out wide at cornerback when the season begins Sept. 9.

Seeing Bush ahead of him on the depth chart is motivating Shields.

“Most definitely," he said. "There’s competition with everything."


(jsonline.com)

Every year at Packers camp, there are always players who surprise and make a run to the 53-man roster. In 2010 training camp, that player was cornerback Sam Shields, a converted wide receiver who flashed great speed in coverage that allowed him to not only make the roster, but place him as the nickel corner behind Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson.

His playmaking potential and abilities in 2010, like the key interception against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game, is what made the Packers see that he belonged on the roster, and deserving of his position among the Packers' secondary. 

But, after a rocky sophomore campaign, in which he struggled to make proper tackles and broke down in coverage, Shields will have to work to keep his spot on the roster, after the improvement by second year corner Davon House , not to mention the Packers drafted corner Casey Hayward out of Vanderbilt in the second round.

And with Charles Woodson's advancing age and the status of Williams' shoulder, Shields may be counted upon more than ever, but unless he can get back to his 2010 coverage form and improve his tackling ability, he may find himself passed in favor of House or Hayward, who have both received praises by the coaching staff for their progress. 

The Packers are re-tooling their 32nd-ranked defense, which gave up horrendous amounts of yards through the air, and the veterans are getting plenty of attention and challenge from the coaching staff to step their games up. With players like Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy already working with the first-team defensive units, Shields had better be careful that not only House, but Hayward as well, don't push him out of his nickel back position.


(ibtimes.com)

After taking a pretty big step back in his second season at nickel back, we hear Sam Shields is far from being assured of a roster spot this coming season. The way we hear it, unless Shields greatly improves his tackling skills, which were feeble for the most part last season, and sheds his knack for peeking into the backfield, he could be in trouble with a host of challengers, led by newly re-signed Jarrett Bush, breathing down his neck at the nickel spot. In addition, both second-round rookie Casey Hayward and second-year pro Davon House, who has gotten noticeably bigger and stronger, could put added pressure on Shields, who has excellent natural tools and displayed the potential to be a solid starter two seasons ago on the road to the Super Bowl. We hear one factor in Shields’ favor is the likelihood that the defense will be featuring a lot more CB-heavy dime formations.


(profootballweekly.com)

Cornerbacks Sam Shields and Davon House are putting the finishing touches this week on very strong spring practice performances. They were featured in Tuesday’s minicamp opener.

“They’ve gotten an awful lot of work. Both of them have made progress, gotten a better feel for man and zone concepts,” Capers said.

Shields was a rookie sensation in 2010 who fell off his game in ’11. He had company, and that might’ve been a big part of the problem.

“He had to play a lot more on first and second down in run or pass situations. He was a little more of a specialist in 2010. Going into his third year, we hope he can become a little more of a complete corner,” Capers said of Shields.

Whitt blamed himself.

“Sam’s problem is me. I did a poor job with Sam. It was some of the run-pass things. I’m not going to make any excuses. I did a poor job with him,” Whitt said.

Improved tackling would seem to be at the core of Shields' to-do list, and Whitt said, “I’m going to give him every opportunity when we put pads on.”


(packers.com)

Green Bay -- Two years ago, he was one unheralded force keying Green Bay's Super Bowl run. An undrafted player providing huge plays in huge moments, Sam Shields punched the Packers' ticket to North Texas. So, naturally, a progression was expected.

And in 2011, the cornerback regressed. Shields missed tackles, allowed nine pass plays of 20 yards or more and was one (of many) reasons Green Bay allowed the most passing yards in NFL history. In Dom Capers' defenses, Green Bay needs a reliable cover corner opposite Tramon Williams to give Charles Woodson more leeway elsewhere. Most of last season, Shields didn't do that.

As the pass defense struggled, options were low for coaches. Shields had to play. That might not be the case in 2012. The team drafted Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward in the second round of the NFL Draft, a smart player who made a slew of big plays in college. Davon House, a fourth-round pick in 2011, is a year older. And Jarrett Bush probably sees the field more after inking a contract extension.

Shields is taking the no-panic approach to organized team activities and minicamp.

“No, there’s no pressure," he said. "I know what I have to do. And everybody else knows what they have to do. It’s you, though. You know what you have to do so you have to do it. My mind-set is that I’m going to get it done. The tackling part, I’m going to get that done. I’m not worried about that.”
These tackling woes probably were most irritating to coaches. Shields' make-up speed is rare -- he'll close a passing window quicker than most. That's what got him on the field over Bush a year ago. Shields did finish with four interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. But whereas the physical Bush isn't afraid to mix it up, Shields had problems wrapping up throughout the season. The Packers want to see a better effort than this attempt to bring down LaGarrette Blount at the 30-yard line. Or these dives at ankles.

There is one legitimate excuse. The lack of a full off-season before last season probably hurt Shields as much as anyone on defense. He played the position all of one year at Miami (Fla.). In high school, he was the nation's No. 9-rated wide receiver prospect, per ESPN. Not a shutdown corner. Coaches only plugged Shields into the secondary on the occasional, obvious passing down. Defense, in general, was still fairly new to him.
Tackling will be an emphasis for him this off-season.

“Just the repetition," Shields said. "For me, I never, ever tackled anybody. So it’s just working on the dummies, learn how to just wrap your arms. Wrap your arms, wrap your arms, wrap your arms. Do it in practice and carry it on into the game.”

Green Bay has been patient. But now, entering Year Three, Shields probably won't get the benefit of the doubt as much. Hayward and others could push him. He needs this full off-season of work with cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt. So far, he's off to a decent start. At Green Bay's first organized team activity last week, Shields picked off Aaron Rodgers' deep pass down the middle intended for Jordy Nelson.

Shields has the speed teams covet at cornerback. Now, he must improve his tackling and discipline to secure his role on the defense.

"It’s going to get done," Shields said. "If that’s something I have to get done, I’m going to get it done."


(jsonline.com)

Sam Shields turned in the play of the practice, an impressive interception of a deep pass intended for Jordy Nelson. Shields made the interception at the goal line while matching Nelson step for step.

“We have nine (OTA) practices and three mini-camp practices, 12 opportunities to learn your job. Frankly, if you don’t know what’s expected of you by June 14, your chances to make our football team drop drastically,” McCarthy said.


(packers.com)

Green Bay Packers’ cornerback Sam Shields may need a lesson in chivalry.

On Thursday, the 24-year-old football player unceremoniously threw his fiancée Melissa Lopez out of the home that they once shared, rendering her homeless, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

Sources close to the couple told Radar that Shields initially split from Lopez last year and did so in the cruelest of ways.

“He woke her up in the middle of the night, threw $300 at her and totally out of the blue ordered her to get out immediately,” the insider said. “He just told her he didn’t like her anymore.

“He told her that he had met someone else and she had to get out, right then and there. She gathered what she could and left and then lived out of her car for months and stayed on friends’ couches whenever she could."

Shields apparently then had a change of heart back in January and told Lopez she could move back in and stay in the apartment until the lease expired in July while he went out of state.

But last week Shields told Lopez that he had changed his mind yet again and she was going to have to move out, immediately!

“Today he just showed up at the apartment with a moving truck -- just out the blue -- and moved all of the furniture and everything out of the home,” the source revealed.

“He hardly even said a word to her. He just ignored her and helped the movers get everything out. When she asked him what she was supposed to do or where she was meant to go he was just cold and said, ‘I don’t know.’

“Melissa doesn’t have any family there. She just knows the other football wives and girlfriends so it’s complicated. He had totally given her the impression that they were going to get back together.”

The building manager has told the 25-year-old that she will have to vacate the property immediately because she doesn’t qualify to take over the lease on her own.

Shields signed a $1.2 million, thee-year deal with the Packers back in 2010.

“Melissa moved to Green Bay to be with him. She was with him before he signed his big contract. They were together for three years and she really stood by him.

“She was using a car that he was getting for free, all he had to do was give the rental company a signed ball and jersey. And he had the company come and take the car away from her too even though he wasn’t even paying for it.

“Melissa has had to deal with a lot from him. He had told her that he only had two children. But she later found out he actually has three and maybe another one on the way as there’s a girl in Green Bay who is pregnant and wants him to take a paternity test.”

Shields had "no comment" when reached by RadarOnline.com.


(radaronline.com)

Sam Shields: Shields regressed in his second season as the nickel back. Time after time he'd lose contact with the receiver because he'd peek into the backfield looking for the interception. If anything, his ability to leverage receivers and use proper technique slipped. Shields was able to outrun some of his mistakes because of that blinding speed. Still, he gave up nine passes of 20 yards or more and 4½ TD passes. Shields also didn't seem the least bit embarrassed about turning down tackles and keeping an arm's length away from piles. Remember, he was a wide receiver at Miami through the 2008 season. Shields is 24. Either he'll become more of a pro or his career will fizzle out. Grade: C-minus.


(jsonline.com)

Go ahead and throw the ball at Sam Shields.

He’s fine with it.

So is Joe Whitt. So is Dom Capers.

Early in the season, that wasn’t the case. The Green Bay Packers’ second-year cornerback hardly resembled the standout rookie from a year ago. His technique looked unrefined, and he was giving up yards and points.

Whitt, his position coach, and Capers, his defensive coordinator, weren’t getting the kind of production they expected.

At the midway point of the season, teams were completing passes against Shields at a rate of 61 percent, according to STATS. And when they did, they were getting an average of 15.3 yards per play. He was responsible for two touchdowns in the first eight games.

Why was Shields struggling after such a promising rookie season?

“Who knows?” Capers said. “I didn’t see anything to indicate those kinds of things in training camp or anything. Sometimes, it’s matchups, who you’re going against and just kind of working your way into where you’ve got a good feel for what you’ve got to get done.”

If it seems like Shields’ game has turned around of late, that’s because it has. In the last five games, teams haven’t had anywhere near the kind of success working against Shields they did in the first half of the season. He has allowed just eight completions over the last five games, and the percentage of times targeted that he has allowed a completion during that stretch has dropped to 47 percent, according to STATS. Those eight completions have averaged 13.6 yards. However, he has allowed two more touchdowns, one on Nov. 20 against Tampa Bay and one two weeks ago against the New York Giants.

“He’s playing better,” said Whitt, who coaches the Packers’ cornerbacks. “He started off slow this year, and some of that was on me. I did a poor job of getting him prepared. But he’s done a nice job of playing these past couple of weeks, of leveraging routes and playing stuff that a lot of people don’t see, but just playing solid football. His technique has really tightened up.”

That was on display with game-changing plays in each of the last two games. In Sunday’s blowout of Oakland, Shields broke up a deep post for Darrius Heyward-Bey on a third-down play late in the first quarter. Playing man coverage on the outside, Shields played his outside leverage perfectly. When quarterback Carson Palmer delivered a strike 21 yards down field, Shields slid inside, stuck his right hand in and knocked the ball away. At that point, it was a 14-0 game, and a completion would have gotten the Raiders close to scoring position.

Earlier in the season, he might not have made that play.

“I think it was more just stuff technique-wise,” Shields said. “I think I’ve played well throughout the season but the last couple of games, it was more of the technique things that I needed to work on.”

Shields ended the game against the Raiders with his third interception of the season.

The previous week, the Giants tried a home-run play in the fourth quarter. From their 13-yard line, quarterback Eli Manning threw one up for Hakeem Nicks on a go route down the right sideline. Shields ran with him stride for stride and 30 yards down the field, knocked the ball away with his left hand. The Giants, who trailed by one point at the time, never got that drive going and were forced to punt.

Later in that game, Shields gave up the game-tying touchdown, a 2-yard fade to Nicks, with 58 seconds left, but Whitt didn’t completely fault Shields for that play. The Giants are known for throwing fades to the back pylon of the end zone — Nicks caught one of those on Charles Woodson earlier in the game — so Shields was playing for the same type of throw but instead Manning threw to Nicks’ back shoulder.

As for the touchdown he allowed against the Buccaneers — a 9-yard slant to Mike Williams — Whitt said that was a play Shields will learn from. One of the Packers’ rules in that coverage is take away the slant before the fade.

“Once again that comes from, I’ve got to do a better job of making him understand no matter what happens, we want the ball to go to a certain place,” Whitt said.

If anyone needed a year in the Packers’ offseason program, it was Shields. He went undrafted out of the University of Miami because he had played only one college season as a cornerback. Previously, the speedster played receiver. But the lockout robbed Whitt of the opportunity to mold a young, but raw player.

“That’s one of the things I was really looking forward to, but we didn’t get it, and I’m not going to make any excuses,” Whitt said. “But he played high-level football toward the end of last year, and I think he’s right on pace to hopefully do it again.”

Still, his slip in play was surprising, especially considering the way Shields ended last season. He played his best game of the year against Chicago in the NFC championship game, when he had a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions, including one with 37 seconds left that clinched the Super Bowl berth.

“What he did in the Chicago game, the way he played, the confidence and the swagger he played with in that game, was unmatched,” Whitt said. “So, hopefully that’s where we can get him back to.”

Whitt said he threw too much at Shields too soon this season.

“He’s still a second-year corner, and I tried to treat him a little more like a guy who’s been at the position longer,” Whitt said. “That’s on me. I dialed it back a little bit, and it’s made a difference.”

Despite Shields’ improvement, the Packers remain stuck near the bottom of the league in passing defense. For the ninth straight week, they rank 31st out of 32 teams in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. But with Shields’ play improving, Tramon Williams seemingly over his early-season shoulder injury and Woodson still able to create turnovers, Capers and Whitt don’t seem as concerned about their pass defense as they were halfway through the season.

“I feel good about my three, I really do,” Whitt said. “I know everybody’s talking about yards, and I don’t really care about that. I care about points. Let’s get the points down. Let’s get turnovers. Let’s play high-level defense. People are going to get yards on us because they’re throwing it so much. Let’s just not give up explosive plays anymore, and hopefully we’ve got that corrected.”



(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields expects to play Sunday at San Diego after recovering from a concussion.

The second-year player was hurt when he intercepted a pass in the end zone and attempted to run it out in the Packers' win over St. Louis on Oct. 16.

Shields didn't make it, taking a blindside hit from Rams receiver Brandon Gibson.

The injury left Shields dizzy and stricken with headaches for a few days. He says it was his first concussion at any level of football.

On Friday he was questioning his position coach about the protocol for what a defensive player should do when he intercepts a pass in the end zone.

"He said, `Now, if I'm this deep, can I come out of there?'" cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt recounted after practice. "I said, `You do what you want to do now, but you understand what you're supposed to do.'"

Shields was cleared to practice after the Packers had their bye week. It gave him time to think about the injury.

"Everybody said I should've (gone) down. I should've, but things happen," Shields said earlier this week. "It's a learning process. Next time, I'll go down."

Or will he?

Shields changed his tune somewhat in the locker room Friday after he was asked what he would do the next time he intercepts a pass in the end zone.

"You never know," he said. "We teach in our secondary group is whenever we catch the ball we're looking to `pick six' (get a touchdown). Every time we get our hands on the ball, we're trying to score. That's our mentality for our secondary on defense."

Green Bay's defensive backs, including Shields, have been under some scrutiny this season. The Packers have allowed an average of nearly 290 yards passing per game, ranking second to last in the NFL.

Giving up big plays has been a sore spot in Green Bay's season. Opponents have hurt the Packers for 37 plays of at least 20 yards, and 32 of those have come via the pass.

"We're the same secondary that, in my opinion, is the best in the league, but we haven't played that way, and that's on me," Whitt said. "I'm doing a poor job of getting them ready to play. Nothing more than that. If I do my job, they play at a high level. If I don't do my job at a high level, it affects their play. That's basically what it is."

The big gains have been mitigated by the Packers' knack for creating turnovers. They are tied for second in the league with 13 interceptions and tied for third with 16 takeaways.

Following a slow start, Shields has been contributing with momentum-changing plays after he made an impact as an undrafted rookie last season with four interceptions, including two in the Packers' NFC championship game win at Chicago.

"He looks like he was in the playoffs, where he really realized he's a DB (defensive back) and how he can play," Whitt said. "I'm excited about him."
As the team's nickel back, Shields has two interceptions this season.

Shields credits his improved play after teams had success throwing on him early in the season to getting back to playing press coverage on receivers.

"I kind of got out of my groove," he said. "I'm usually pressing. I kind of got out of it and started playing off, and that wasn't me. So, I went back to my old ways and pressing. Hey, that's what I'm good at, so why not just keep going with it?"

Whitt took responsibility for how Shields was positioned off the line of scrimmage in the team's first two games, calling it a miscommunication.
"I've got to get that stuff cleared up quicker," Whitt said. "But once he realized what we wanted from that situation, he's been playing really, really high-level football."

And the coaches are hopeful Shields will make the right decision the next time he comes up with the football.

"Sam's an aggressive thinker when he gets the ball in his hands," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. "He knows he's got that speed, and no matter where he is, he think he's going to take it and score. That's one of the things about being a young guy, you get clobbered a couple of times like that, your judgment improves, I think."

Shields returned his first interception this season a career-long 60 yards out of the end zone against Denver on Oct. 2.

"It's very easy to sit there after the fact and question a player's decision in the heat of battle, especially when he makes a decision a couple weeks before and comes out of the end zone and makes a big play," coach Mike McCarthy said.

"You can't have it both ways. We're either going to catch it and kneel down, or catch it and try to come out and be smart. It's a learning experience for Sam. I feel strongly that he's learned from it."

Click here to order Sam Shields’ proCane Rookie Card.


(sfgate.com)

Shields wound up missing just one game. He'll return to nickel back duties after Green Bay's Week 8 bye. Shields has 23 tackles and two picks this season.




Click here to order Sam Shields’ proCane Rookie Card.


(thegridironplace.com)

Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers CB Sam Shields (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 19, but he has not yet been ruled out for the Week 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings. "Sam went through the testing (Wednesday), and he'll continue to go through the week," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "The doctors feel very good about the progress he's making."

Click here to order Sam Shields’ proCane Rookie Card.


(kffl.com)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields sustained a concussion in Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams, Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed at his press conference today.

Shields will go through the normal testing process mandated by the NFL regarding concussions.

Shields was attempting to run back an interception from the end zone when he was blindsided by a tackle.

Instead of taking a knee in the end zone, Shields ran across the end zone, trying to take the ball back up the field, and he was drilled hard.

Shields will go through the concussion tests, then he needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he's able to play.

Head coach Mike McCarthy says it's a lesson for the other players.

"Be smart. Don't want players taking unnecessary hits. You have to learn from that."

Click here to order Sam Shields’ proCane Rookie Card.


(wbay.com)

Green Bay - Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields probably avoided a butt-chewing for trying to bring an interception out from the end zone late in the third quarter.

But there are better ways to do it than suffering a concussion.

Shields may have to miss the Minnesota Vikings game next week because of his decision to return a ball he caught 7 yards deep in the end zone.

Shields had inside position on quarterback Sam Bradford's poorly thrown fade route to receiver Danario Alexander and reached up with two hands to snare it in the back corner of the end zone. He then took off running laterally across the end zone before eventually being tackled and struck hard.

NFL rules state that is not a safety because the pass was not a defensive play that pinned Shields in the end zone. The rules did not save him from getting clobbered, however.

"You have to make smart decisions with the football," coach Mike McCarthy said. "It probably wasn't the best decision."

Shields' teammate, Charles Woodson, had some advice for the second-year pro.

"He should have come out the same place where he caught it, instead of trying to reverse field," Woodson said. "He lost vision of who was on the other side of the field and took a pretty good shot.

"We have to get him to look upfield first instead of across the field."

It's not the first time Shields has made a bad decision on an interception return. His game-clinching pick against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game came close to being a fumble recovered by the Bears after he chose not to kneel down in the final seconds.

The way concussions are treated in the NFL now, it's no slam dunk that Shields will be back next week. He'll have to go through a series of tests and be cleared by an independent neurologist before being able to play.

(jsonline.com)

The Journal Sentinel's Tyler Dunne sat down for an informal Q&A with Packers cornerback Sam Shields, who is in his second season in Green Bay. Shields, 23, was acquired as a non-drafted free agent out of Miami in 2010 and earned the nickel cornerback spot in his rookie season.
If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be? Wiz Khalifa, Keri Hilson and Beyoncé.

Who plays you in a movie and what's the premise? It'd be a sports movie. Not just football. It'd have all sports - baseball, basketball, everything, track. A guy that does it all. I can't think of the actor right now.

What's one of your hobbies outside of football? I love watching movies, playing ping-pong and bowling.

What's your ping-pong game like? Speed. I'm not sure if anybody plays here, but back home we play ping-pong a lot at the recreation center. I played all the time growing up, since I went to summer camp. We used to play ping-pong. I can serve fast, everything. I can put a little spin on it. At the recreation center we had tournaments. Sometimes, I'd win them. Some of my friends are way better than me.

Favorite TV show? "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns." It's real funny. Everyday stuff in a household.

Favorite musician/band? Lil Wayne. He came here. It was surprising when I saw him. I didn't know he was that short. It was after the throwback game after San Francisco last year. He came in. His lyrics, oh, man. He says some off-the-wall stuff you wouldn't even think about. He's smart, too. He went to college and all that stuff.

What's playing on the iPod right now? Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.

Favorite team/player growing up? The Cowboys and Emmitt Smith.

Worst job you ever had? I worked for a week doing dietary at an old folks' home. I was in high school, my sophomore year. I just set up the tables, brought the food out. I just couldn't do it because they'll throw the food back at you. I couldn't do that. If they don't want it, they push it away and say, "I don't want this!" It's crazy. One week and I was done. I couldn't do it.

What would you do as NFL commissioner? I would change all of these unnecessary flags and calls. I'd loosen up (pass interference) and clean up a lot of stuff.

Favorite movie? "Man on Fire" with Denzel Washington and "Secret Window" with Johnny Depp.

Who's your best friend on the team? Morgan Burnett. As soon as we started training camp (in 2010), he was my roommate at the Wingate. We were in the same conference, the ACC. I didn't know him at the time but I knew him from being on the field playing.

Do you talk trash on the field? Yeah. Just "You're soft" and a lot of cuss words. Me and (Devin) Hester got into it. He was out there playing dirty, man. So I got tired of it. I retaliated. He retaliated. And he got caught. We used to talk. I know him. But on that field, you're not friends anymore. He was pushing me in the facemask. Me and DeSean (Jackson) got into it. Me and (Jeremy) Maclin got into it.

If you weren't an NFL player, what would you be doing? I'd be in school, trying to finish school. I'd try to do something with sports. Probably coaching.

Will you miss the NBA if the lockout drags on? Oh, yeah. I used to love Chicago because of Michael Jordan. But right now, it's the Heat. It was crazy, it was crazy (when LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed). It was all Heat then. That's all anybody talked about.

Click here to order Sam Shields’ proCane Rookie Card.


(jsonline.com)

Defensive Coordinator DOM CAPERS On Sam Shields: “It was nice to see him get that interception. Sam’s still working as we are. We have some areas from a coverage standpoint that we need to shore up and continue to improve. But again, you saw his ability to go up and get the ball and run with it after the catch. A lot of guys, you’re telling them to stay in the end zone on that but you pretty much knew with Sam that if he had any daylight, he was going to bring the thing out. And then he ended up taking into their territory and our defense ended up converting it into a touchdown.”


(jsonline.com)

Trailing by 10 and with a chance to put some pressure on the Packers with a score, wide receiver Devin Hester (notes) decided it would be a good time to throw a punch at Sam Shields (notes) .

Sure, he wasn't the only one misbehaving there -- Shields deserved a penalty too, but that matters not. If you lose your cool and throw a punch, you deserve to be penalized, end of story. If you don't like it, keep your hands to yourself.

The penalty put the Bears in a third-and-very-long, and they couldn't convert. I doubt they'd have won the game anyway, as Green Bay seemed to always have an answer for anything Chicago did, but it was the best chance they had. A score there cuts the lead to three with plenty of time remaining.

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.


(yahoosports.com)

MIAMI — Former University of Miami cornerback Sam Shields isn’t talking. But his dad is plenty mad. And so are other parents.

Samuel Shields called the allegations by convicted felon Nevin Shapiro "a bunch of crap" on Friday when reached by The Miami Herald, and criticized the university for not doing more to prevent Shapiro from infiltrating the Hurricanes program.

Shapiro alleged that he gave Shields’ son, Sam, now with the Green Bay Packers, a 42-inch Toshiba flat-screen TV, drinks and VIP access in nightclubs, as well as food, drinks and entertainment at Shapiro’s $6 million Miami Beach mansion.

"It’s definitely bad for the school, and I know for the administration it should be even worse," Samuel Shields said.

"He was a booster for, what, 10 years? The administration should have known a whole bunch of stuff, compliance should have known a whole bunch of stuff. If Sam sneezed over there they’d throw him out. They threw him under the bus so many times."

On Thursday, Shields was briefly in the locker room and addressed the allegations to reporters.

"They contacted me," Shields said of Yahoo! [YHOO] Sports. "But I just told them that I didn’t want to get into that right now. I’m just focusing on the Packers right now."

His dad said he doubted his son took the TV.

"I doubt a 42-inch TV was in his dorm room," he said.

Of Shapiro, Samuel Shields said, "That little guy needs to be where he’s at. And I hope he doesn’t run into any Miami fans in the penitentiary. He needs to be isolated."

As for Sam, his father said he didn’t have time for such nonsense. "He’s working on another Super Bowl," he said.

Former UM running back Graig Cooper, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, was alleged by Shapiro to have lodged on his $1.6 million yacht for four days in January of 2007 — the same time Cooper arrived in Miami from Milford (N.Y.) Prep.

Shapiro also said he provided food, drinks and entertainment for Cooper at Lucky Strike Lanes during the same month, and transportation in Shapiro’s car.

"If you come in town, enroll in school, meet some friends and they say, ’Let’s go hang out at the bowling alley,’ nine out of 10 times you’re going to hang out with them," said Cooper’s father, Tino Thomas. "How did he know my son? He didn’t because he had just arrived. Somebody had to bring Graig to him.

"The real question is, why isn’t anybody asking something about the president at the University of Miami? They have a picture of her taking money from him. I know it’s a donation, but she’s getting money in that same bowling alley.

"Everybody is caught up with the players and this and that. But the president was at that same bowling alley where a lot of stuff was going on. She should have known.

"These kids are 18 and 19 years old, but the one they needed to get off the field was (Nevin Shapiro). He looked like a 35-year-old kid. I tell everybody, if somebody tries to do something for you, there’s always a price to pay, because in the long run they think you owe them."

Former UM great Alonzo Highsmith, the father of safety A.J. Highsmith (who is not implicated), told The Miami Herald on Friday that he was considering suing the NCAA on behalf of parents.

"Here’s the issue I have with this whole thing," Highsmith said. "In NCAA football, why do we punish so many people for the actions of a few? These athletic programs and football programs are people’s livelihoods. Kids commit to these colleges so they can get an education, win national championships and play in bowl games. And you’re going to take all of that away from them because of the actions of a few people?

"I question a lot of things in this Yahoo! [YHOO] investigation. My thing is, don’t show me pictures you took with kids. Don’t show me a receipt. Show me evidence. . . . You took some pictures with former players. So what?

"You know how many times these kids pose for pictures with random people on the street? You’re going to convict 80 other kids because of what happened five, six, seven years ago?

"They were in junior high when this was going on. Now they pay a price while everyone lives a good life?"



(bostonherald.com)

If you haven't read the Yahoo! report on the misdeeds of a renegade Miami fooball booster, do so here. In a horrid run of alleged NCAA violations across the country, this one takes the cake. Several current NFL players are implicated in the report, including Packers cornerback Sam Shields.

The booster, Nevin Shapiro, says he gave Shields a handful of benefits while the then-receiver played for the Hurricanes. The benefits included, Shapiro said, a 42-inch Toshiba flat screen television along with drinks and VIP access in nightclubs. Compared to some of the other player accusations, which go as far as prostitution services, this may seem but against NCAA rules, nonetheless.

On Thursday, Shields was briefly in the locker room and addressed the report.

"They contacted me," Shields said of Yahoo. "But I just told them that I didn't want to get into that right now. I'm just focusing on the Packers right now."

After missing Green Bay's preseason opener with a hip injury, Shields is back.



(jsonline.com)

GREEN BAY — Joe Whitt just might put together a Miss Cleo-type psychic career if this whole football coaching thing doesn't work out.

It was this time last year when he told everyone Tramon Williams would be one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. It was evident Williams was an improving young player, but in 2010 he had career highs of 63 tackles and six interceptions and a Pro Bowl invitation.

Whitt, the Packers' cornerbacks coach, is at it again with his I-know-something-you-don't-know routine.

"I would have loved to have my hands on him (during the lockout) because he's still so raw and in the early parts of his career," Whitt said of second-year player Sam Shields. "He's rare. He's rare with his ability to bend and pedal and really loves the game. We got lucky with him.

"When we got him, I knew he was going to be good. I didn't know he was going to be that good, that quick. He can improve from what Tramon did in '09 to 2010. If he can make that same kind of jump, which he can … ."

There were two moments last week that encapsulated Shields' value to the organization.

On Thursday, he made a spectacular interception on the last play of practice and landed squarely on his hip. The entire team fell silent on Ray Nitschke Field as coaches and the medical staff rushed to Shields' side. The first player out to check on Shields? Charles Woodson, who didn't participate in team drills that day.

The injury kept Shields from playing in the preseason opener at Cleveland on Saturday night. He and Woodson didn't play, which left Williams, Pat Lee and Jarrett Bush as the top three cornerbacks. Browns quarterback Colt McCoy didn't glance at Williams on the opening drive and scored the game's first touchdown on a 27-yard pass to Josh Cribbs with Lee in coverage. The Browns won 27-17.

The defense looked completely different with Shields and Woodson on the sideline. And, frankly, Woodson's coverage responsibilities have been lessened since Shields arrived in Green Bay.

"Tramon and Sam give us the opportunity to do other things with Wood," Whitt said.



(thenorthwestern.com)

Second-year Green Bay Pacers cornerback Sam Shields was back on the field after being held out of the exhibition game. Shields went down with a hip pointer late in practice Thursday. He was a full participant Monday.

“Sam was close Saturday to playing in the Cleveland game,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “Everybody saw the way he fell in the last practice. He practiced today and I anticipate Sam will play this week unless he has a setback. But he had a pretty significant bruise.”



(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Check out our new wallpaper featuring Sam Shields. Click here to download our Sam “Sticky” Shields Wallpaper and many other ones or click above on proCanes Wallpapers. Enjoy and stay tuned to more wallpapers in the near future.

Green Bay Packer Sam Shields went down awkwardly when he collided with undrafted rookie wide receiver Tori Gurley over the middle. Both players got their hands on the pass and, as Shields ripped it away for an interception, he went down and stayed down for a while.

Initially, there appeared to be a lot of concern for Shields before he limped off under his own power. After practice, McCarthy called the injury a “bruised hip pointer,” and didn’t sound overly alarmed, but it might throw a wrinkle into the cornerback plans for Saturday’s game.



(packers.com)

Former University of Miami running back Alonzo Highsmith was on the show on Monday morning. Highsmith is a scout for the world champion Green Bay Packers:

--Alonzo, I can't remember a team that had more injuries that won a Super Bowl championship. You guys... I don't know what the final count was of guys who went down that you lost for the season, but to be that beaten up, to have that many guys who were backups or on the practice squad make an impact on what you guys did and that run through the playoffs is just one of the best stories we have ever seen for a Super Bowl championship. Would you agree? "Oh, yeah, it was a tremendous story, but I think the thing that really had our team excited was the fact that every game we lost this year--we were 10-6--six of those games we lost we should have won. ... And the thing that helped us most probably was playing away from home, out of Lambeau Field, because our offense was more of a passing offense by the end of the year, so it allowed [quarterback] Aaron [Rodgers] to play indoors. It became like fast-break football, and that was to our advantage."

--Sam Shields, a former 'Cane, has to be one of the best stories from last year: "I think there's only a couple players on our defense who played more snaps than Sam Shields. I mean, he played six hundred and something snaps last year and he was a big part of our defense."

--Speaking of former Hurricanes, how would you rank the greatest of all time? "I'd have to put Ted Hendricks over [Ken] Dorsey."

--What are your thoughts on Al Golden and the UM program? "I'm ecstatic about Al Golden. I think he's brought the right state of mind back to the program. The thing I like about Al Golden... I call him a cross between Jimmy [Johnson] and Howard [Schnellenberger]. He's all about accountability. You're going to have to earn your keep on this football team. There's nothing given to anybody."

--One last thing, Alonzo. You're from the old school of like, 'Hey, Alonzo, just because your coming in here as a five-star linebacker/running back, we want to let you know you're going to have to earn it and you're going to have to wait your turn.' Today's guys, they want it like, 'I'm coming to your school because I heard everybody's gone and I have a chance a chance to start as a freshman.' It wasn't like that when you came in: "I've been writing a book for the last two years, and I should be finished with it in another year or so. And I've been interviewing coaches and talking to coaches and talking to people like yourself. The book will be called 'Entitled,' and it's just about today's athletes and how everybody feels like they're owed something. ... It's amazing to listen to young guys talk."


(sun-sentinel.com)

Here is Super Winning proCane and Green Bay Packer Same Shield’s new tattoo.



Here is newest proCane and Oakland Raide DeMarcus Van Dyke’s newest tattoo.




(twitter.com)

Sam Shields, CB, Packers
The Packers have found their eventual successor for Charles Woodson in an undrafted free agent with remarkable speed and athleticism. Shields rose from the bottom of the depth chart to become a key contributor in the team's sub packages. With few cornerbacks capable of matching his speed and natural ball skills (four interceptions in 2010), he is poised to have a big second season.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
Sean Payton letting Jeremy Shockey go was largely due to the development of Graham. The former basketball standout quickly became one of Drew Brees' favorite red-zone targets. With more opportunities to snag balls as the No. 1 tight end, Graham could see his numbers double in his second season. At 6-8, he creates big problems for cover players, and should be huge in the red zone. It will be a shock if he doesn't catch 70 passes.

Antonio Dixon, DT, Philadelphia Eagles:
The undrafted Dixon was a surprise starter in Philly last season after being claimed the year before on waivers from the Redskins. He is a powerful man who holds up against the run, but also can push the pocket. With the experience he got last year, he should be ready for even more.



(nfl.com)

The Super Bowl champions had many young players step up in a big way and there is a substantial list of players to choose from for this feature. And now this entire roster is pretty much made up of household names. So I probably will not be able to unveil “The Next Great Thing” for the Green Bay Packers. But Sam Shields’ story is pretty remarkable and with the age of Charles Woodson, his role should only increase. But as many of you know, Shields is already a heck of a cornerback.

At 5-feet-11 and 184 pounds, Shields isn’t the biggest corner around, but he should continue to add bulk to his frame as he ages and gains strength in the process. He is only 23 years old. And he does have long arms and can play bigger than his size would suggest in addition to his great leaping ability. He also isn’t afraid to throw his body around in coverage or as a run-support player. There is a lot of talent here that is just starting to be tapped.

Although he has noticeable ability, Shields was considered a raw player coming out of college. Many looked at him as an undrafted free agent and thought Shields’ ceiling was that of a slot corner who would take a while to develop. But Shields already has proven that he can hold up on the outside. That allows Green Bay to be very aggressive with Woodson when it goes to its three-cornerback alignments, which the Packers feature often -- even against base offensive personnel.

Green Bay has the best secondary in the NFL and Shields is a big reason why.



(espn.com)

SARASOTA - Hundreds of well-wishers gathered Saturday afternoon at Newtown Estates Park to pay homage to local football hero Sam Shields.

Shields, a 2006 graduate of Booker High, completed his NFL rookie season earlier this month by winning a Super Bowl ring as a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.

Shields was a key member of the team that defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, to capture the NFL title.

"Actually, I'm still trying to soak it in now," said Shields' father, Sam Shields Jr. "As these moments go on, it's getting better and better."

The elder Shields, who was sporting a No. 37 Green Bay jersey in honor of his son, was quick to point out that his son is actually Sam Shields III.
Lots of fans were sporting Green Bay jerseys with that number as they enjoyed live music and some barbecue.

"We thought it was important to thank everybody," the elder Shields said. "You can't always do that with everyone, so we thought this would be the best way to do it. Come on in and have a hug and have something to eat."

"I love it," said Shields when asked about holding a celebration in his hometown. "The family came out here for support and that's what we look for. That's what we're trying to do, give back to the community."



(heraldtribune.com)

Let’s go back to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas during Green Bay’s 31-25 win over Pittsburgh and breakdown Mike Wallace of the Steelers vs. Sam Shields of the Packers. A one-on-one matchup outside of the numbers with Shields aligned in a press-look.

Press-coverage (or “bump and run&rdquo is purely technique based. Your hands, footwork, hips and eyes are all tested when you want to challenge the WR at the line of scrimmage. Lose your technique—or guess—in the NFL and you will get beat. Sounds simple, but vs. the speed of a No.1 WR you have to rely on your technique to win.

We all know the play: a 9 (fade) route vs. Cover 1 (man-free) out of a 3x1 alignment with a single high safety in the middle of the field. Let’s check out the TV tape and get into some detailed coaching points to help you understand why Shields gave up the score.

Coaching points

Breaking down the play and talking technique…

1. Use your hands: Play a physical style. What we see on the TV tape is Shields keeping his hands low at the snap. That’s a minus on the grade sheet. As a DB, your hands are your weapons at the point of attack in press-coverage. Keep your hands high and punch on the initial move from the WR. With Wallace releasing inside, Shields should punch with his outside (right) hand and then come back with his inside (left) hand once Wallace breaks back to the outside. However, when we see a DB that doesn’t want to use his hands in press-coverage, he is already at a disadvantage. Use your hands—because they also allow you to keep your body square to the WR.

2. Slide your feet: Shields is too aggressive with his footwork on Wallace’s initial move and that causes him to “hop” inside. Instead, slide your feet on that initial inside move (think “mirror’ technique). Just like we talked about with the hands, move your feet and stay square to the WR to cut off any initial route stem. It disrupts the timing of the route and allows you as a DB to react to any counter moves. But in this case, when Shields does hop inside, he opens his hips (called “opening the gate&rdquo and that puts him in an immediate trail-position. A tough spot to be in playing Cover 1.

3. Play to your help: In a Cover 1 scheme, use the free safety and any inside help you can find. One the initial move from Wallace, Shields can slide his feet, stay square and in reality, give up the inside. Force Wallace to use that vertical release and stem his route up the numbers—funneling him to free safety Nick Collins. But this turns into an outside release, and Collins can’t get over the top of the 9 route. If you are going to get beat, force the WR to release to the free safety in Cover 1—because it might save you.

4. Recovery: Shields is beat. We can all see that. However, there are some positives here to look at from his perspective. Watch his angle to Wallace. Shields runs to get back “in-phase” to the WR (bottom hip). Exactly what you want to do as a DB if you are in a trail position. Second, he never looks back at the ball. The one glaring mistake that DBs will make when they are beat at the line is to get their eyes back to the QB. That’s bad football. Why? Because the QB isn’t throwing the ball to you. In this situation, without getting his hands on Wallace at the point of attack—and the near perfect ball from Ben Roethlisberger—Shields can’t recover in time to make a play. However, we can all see the recovery speed of the Packers’ CB.

Playing productive press-coverage is a process—a technique based process. Win early and we don’t have to talk about getting back “in-phase” or recovery speed. A good learning experience for the Packers’ young CB.



(nationalfootballpost.com)

IRVING, Texas – For the Green Bay Packers, Sam Shields is like found money.

The nickel cornerback has been the rarest of finds, an undrafted player who as a rookie has helped improve the Packers’ defense from 2009 and has all the makings of a playmaker in the not-too-distant future. All for the price of a $7,500 signing bonus plus some quick salesmanship in the immediate hours after last April’s NFL draft.

That kind of windfall is almost incalculable for an NFL franchise, because teams will always make mistakes drafting players, including in the high rounds. Landing an undrafted rookie like Shields, who probably would be a first-round pick if that draft were held over today, can erase any number of personnel mistakes. That makes him like found money.

“Clearly everybody made a mistake on him,” General Manager Ted Thompson said of Shields going undrafted. “Including us.”

The Packers were far from the only team that tried to sign Shields – he says about 20 teams showed interest – but they took an especially deep and thorough look at him in the months leading up to the draft.

It started with John Gutekunst, their scout for the Southeast, identifying him as a good prospect during the 2009 college season. Then at the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game, which is played the weekend of the Super Bowl, Thompson, college scouting director John Dorsey and assistant college scouting director Shaun Herock took a close-up view of him in the week of practice.

Shields later turned heads at Miami’s campus when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 and 4.30 seconds. That helped him earn a draft grade in the fourth or fifth round for many teams even though he’d only moved to cornerback in the spring before his senior season in at the University of Miami and wasn’t even a starter as the No. 3 cornerback for the Hurricanes. Then in March of last year he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana – he never was charged – which injured his draft stock but put the Packers in position to use their Miami connections to evaluate his character and then recruit him.

Two Packers scouts have ties to the football program because they attended school there. Alonzo Highsmith, an area college scout, had a distinguished career at Miami as a player, was a teammate of then-coach Randy Shannon, and has a son, A.J., who’s a quarterback at the school. Also, one of their assistant directors of pro personnel, Eliot Wolf, went to college at Miami and worked in the athletic department while a student.

Those ties helped the Packers’ trust their evaluation of Shields’ character, which checked out fine. Then immediately after the draft, Highsmith’s relationship with Shannon helped sell Shields and his agent that the Packers were his best option. On the evening the draft ended, Shields was on the telephone getting a persuasive pitch from a Chicago Bears scout when he got another call.

“I was like, ‘I might be in Chicago,’” Shields said. “Then my agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called me and said, ‘Packers.’”

Said Joe Whitt, the Packers’ cornerbacks coach, who had given Shields a first-round draft grade earlier that spring: “They called me in there and said we’ve got Shields. I was happy.”

Though the Packers liked Shields, their hopes for him coming into camp were modest. He’d been a standout gunner and jammer on the punt and punt-return teams, and they thought he might make the roster for those roles and then possibly develop into a decent or better cornerback down the road. Maybe, just maybe, he’d contend for the nickel job as a rookie, but that seemed unlikely.

Shields then surprised everyone in training camp, and his ascension to the nickel role for the start of the regular season is well known to those who follow the team closely. He seemed to make an eye-catching play every other day in training camp, and in four weeks soared from near the bottom of the depth chart to the No. 3 cornerback job.

“Just a natural football player,” Thompson said. “Ron (Wolf, the former Packers general manager) noticed that in training camp, too -- said he was just a natural at it.”

Shields won the nickel job by outplaying Pat Lee, a second-round draft pick in 2008, and Brandon Underwood, a sixth-rounder in 2009, but even at that point cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt had misgivings about playing him in such a prominent role. Though the nickel back isn’t officially a starter, he’s close to being a full-time player because the Packers have played their nickel a little more than 70 percent of their defensive snaps this season.

Going into the regular season it seemed a given that Shields would have some rough times, perhaps many, as offenses targeted him as a rookie and kept going back when it worked. Shields appeared especially vulnerable, even if gifted, because he’d only been a cornerback for one season his entire football career. Whitt wondered whether those rookie lumps would irreversibly damage the cornerback’s confidence. But Shields never took those lumps.

“You look at some of those young corners who got beat early on (in their careers), and they’re never the same later on,” Whitt said. “I didn’t want that to happen to him. And in that first game (at Philadelphia) we couldn’t protect him that much. We tried to put him to the quarterback’s off hand, little details we do, but through the year he continually got better. Now I don’t care where you put him, he can play.”

Shields’ surprising play this year has been no small factor in the Packers’ defensive accomplishments this season, which includes a No. 2 finish in the NFL in fewest points allowed. His two interceptions in the NFC championship game at Chicago made him famous nationally, but his ability to hold up in coverage over the course of the season has been more important to defensive coordinator Dom Capers over the long haul. He’s improved as much anyone on the team and has the ability to cover up many of his mistakes with superior speed.

The Packers have one of the NFL’s better cover men in cornerback Tramon Williams, but if Capers had to protect Shields on the other side in the nickel, he’d lose flexibility in play calling and blitz packages. Because Capers trusts Shields in one-on-one coverage, he can maximize Charles Woodson in the slot, where he’s as much a threat to blitz as to drop into coverage against a receiver, tight end or in a zone.

What matters for now is Shields’ performance in the Super Bowl on Sunday. His pure speed makes him a possible matchup with the Steelers’ top receiver, Mike Wallace, who ran the 40 in 4.28 seconds at the 2009 NFL scouting combine and is one of the league’s best deep threats, if Capers chooses to go that route.

But Shields’ long-term prospects have to excite the team also. Especially considering he’s been playing cornerback for less than two years, there’s reason to think he might one day be an elite player.

“This offseason I’m going to be very tough on him, because there’s a lot of growth ahead of him,” Whitt said. “But he’s rare, not only because of his ability but because of the man he is. He doesn’t let things bother him, he can take hard coaching. The ceiling on this kid is unbelievable.”

Click here to order Sam Shields’s proCane Rookie Card.



(packersnews.com)

Arlington, Texas - The secondary situation was as bleak as it has even been in a season where injuries have been the Monday morning story for the Green Bay Packers.

Just before halftime, cornerback Charles Woodson was out with something that looked very painful, and as it turned out he had a broken collarbone. Safety Nick Collins was fading fast so he headed in to the locker room early before halftime for an IV. Sam Shields had hurt his shoulder as well. All three were out.

"When somebody goes down, somebody has to step up," said Shields.

That somebody ended up being Shields.

Though the shoulder was hurting, he returned to the game to finish. He did it without treatment.

"No they just put me back out there," said Shields. "When I fell, it felt like something popped out. I mean, it wasn't feeling right."
Collins, who has played hurt all season, also returned.

Shields finished the game with 2 solo tackles, and though got beat on one touchdown had another solid game for the Packers and contributed a lot to their Super Bowl victory.



(jsonline.com)

IRVING, Texas — As an undrafted rookie free agent, Green Bay Packers nickel back Sam Shields has made a big splash this season, including a game-clinching interception against the Bears in the NFC championship game. Shields talked to Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and other reporters at Wednesday's Super Bowl XLV media session:

Q: What was it like to make the transition from wide receiver to cornerback during your senior season at Miami (Fla).?
A: I was a little doubtful about it, but then I was like, it's just something to help the team out. The cornerback position, you know they make money, so I was doing whatever it takes. At first, I didn't have a lot of confidence. It was hard. At Miami, all we did is press. I wasn't really learning anything—I was just going in there and pressing every down.

Q: When you got signed by the Packers, what did you learn early from Tramon Williams, who like you was undrafted and had to make the team as a nickel back?
A: Talking with him, with him having a similar situation, to just take advantage of having a chip on your shoulder, going in, being focused and being determined—just make the team.

Q: How did Charles Woodson and some of the team's more seasoned defensive backs—and coaches—help you get so good so fast?
A: They were willing to help me any way they could. They helped me out in watching film and help me see things as a corner. The coaches helped with flash cards to learn strategy. I just continued to keep doing it each and every night.

(sportingnews.com)

LAS COLINAS, Texas — The word value has several definitions, and the Packers' Sam Shields is doing his best to corner the market on as many of them as he can.

One definition: A fair return or equivalent for goods, services or money. As a rookie, Shields has gone from undrafted project to key component of a very good Packers defense. That's value.

Another meaning: To rate or scale in usefulness or importance. For the answer to how Shields factors into this defense, listen to the slackjawed words of Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss: "His development is just … it's sick what he has been able to do. He's played about 800 snaps this year as an undrafted free agent."

Shields played wide receiver his first three seasons at Miami (Fla.), catching 75 passes and seven TDs. He and some of his teammates were messing around in spring practice before his senior season, with defensive backs playing receiver and receivers playing DB. Apparently, Shields had some natural skill to it.

"The coaches were watching," he said. "(Miami DB coach Wesley) McGriff came to me and said, 'You're a cornerback.' But I had never played defense before. So Coach (Randy) Shannon came to me and asked me if I wanted to move, and I was like, 'I'll think about it.'

"He gave me time to think about it. I made the decision on my own. I was like, 'Yeah I'll go over there and help out.'"

Shields always had speed — his fastest 40-yard time was 4.26 seconds. But he had no idea about coverage or technique playing defensive back. The coaches kept it simple and limited him to press coverage. He started 10 games and attracted some attention, enough to the point where he was being viewed as a late draft pick in 2010.

But as went home to Sarasota to visit his 4-year-old daughter, Samyla, Shields got himself into a bad situation. He was in the house with some family members who were in possession of marijuana and was arrested. It came right before his Pro Day, which was expected to be his big stage prior to the draft. The timing was awful.

Although the charges later were dropped, some teams red-flagged Shields as a character concern. All seven rounds passed without Shields being taken. Several teams called right after the draft, including the Bears, Lions, Giants and Saints, but Shields signed with the Packers because his agent thought Al Harris might be released, which would open up a CB spot on their roster.

If it were up to Packers DB coach Joe Whitt Jr., though, the Packers would have taken Shields in the second or third round. He saw that much raw, untapped ability in the young corner.

"I graded 28 corners coming out in the draft. I had him ranked No. 6," Whitt said. "The only reason I had him sixth was because he had only played one year. The scouting department didn't have him as high. But when I looked at him, I would have taken him in the second or third round. Easy. He's the better talent of any of those guys who went in the first round. Just talent, I am talking."

Better than first-rounders Devin McCourty or Joe Haden, each of whom intercepted five passes?

"Yes, he's a better talent than any of those guys. He's not a better football player, but a better talent."

Talent was one thing. The Packers saw they might have something special — and yes, blazing fast — early on, but they knew they had to teach him Coverage 101. They started with the basics and built him up.

"I have had history with changing receivers to corners; I did it at Louisville," Whitt said. "We started Day One and learned just base defense: This is what quarters coverage is, this is what cover-2, this is what it means … and let's go from there.

"I told some of my friends, 'If Sam can't play, it's going to be my fault.' He hasn't really been taught anything but press. Not saying anything about their coaches there (in Miami); they just didn't ask him to do much. But we ask him to do a lot, so it was just my opportunity to make him play well or mess him up, one of the two."

Impressing the DB coach was one thing, but Shields needed to convince the big man he could play, too. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers — a man who knows a thing or two about defensive backs — runs a tricky, intricate, multilayered scheme, and the Packers had some players with far more experience than Shields ahead of him on the depth chart.

Capers, too, was intrigued early on.

"He was raw. You could see he had a long ways to go," Capers said. "But every day in practice during training camp he would make one play that would catch your eye and you would go in with a smile on your face. You thought, once it kicks in with this guy, he has what you can't give him as a coach.

"The thing I was impressed with was he was very serious in meetings. He would sit there and would not say a word. He would absorb everything and you could see him improve."

One trick to help Shields cram was with flash cards. Whitt would quiz him over and over until the coverages became rote. And when Whitt wasn't peppering him, veteran CBs Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson gave the rookie advice.

"They were willing to help any way they could. I went to them like a man and asked them — I needed help learning things.

"We stayed up late a lot, and I kept doing it and learning it every night. It paid off."

Slowly but surely, Shields was passing corners on the depth chart quicker than anyone expected. In a preseason game against the Colts, the Packers' coaches decided to throw him into the fire, asking him to cover Colts WR Pierre Garcon, another rags-to-riches story. Shields shut him down. He had a great preseason, and the Packers made a decision: Shields would be their nickel corner to start the season.

This is big news on any team, but the Packers have come to rely on their subpackages more than almost any NFL team. Whitt estimates that they are not in their base defense about 70-75 percent of the time. The Packers knew Shields would have to do some tough learning on the job and that opponents would take notice of him on the field.

"We knew people would go after an undrafted corner. He stood up to that test and really has played his best football the past five or six games. The experience is really starting to pay off for him," Capers said.

And the NFC title game might have been Shields' finest hour. He intercepted two passes — one on a deep ball in Bears territory when Shields was singled up on Johnny Knox and one with 37 seconds left as the Bears were driving for the game-tying score.

Whitt might not have been thrilled that Shields ran with the ball after the second interception, instead of just falling on it, but that was on the rookie at that point.

"They all understand if they made the decision to run with that ball, they better not fumble it," Whitt said.

Shields did not, and the Packers advanced to their first Super Bowl in 13 years. He likely will see a lot of Mike Wallace, who, like Knox, has true 4.3 speed. Shields comes on the field as the right corner, which moves Woodson into the slot and allows the Packers to be far more diverse defensively. Woodson now can blitz, drop into a zone, cover the tight end (although ILB Desmond Bishop does this more now) or man up against the slot receiver.

Shields has been in awe of the Super Bowl pageantry all week. He's shocked by all the attention and still can't help but think back to his decision to play a little cornerback after spring practice. He looks nearby to Williams, another former undrafted corner who has been at his side nearly all season, and has a ready-made role model to follow on a daily basis.

"Talking with him and him having a similar situation, not getting drafted, having a chip on his shoulder," Shields said, "it has all helped me see what I want to be."

Whitt said having Williams there is the perfect teaching tool.

"I tell him, 'Look at Tramon. That's going to be you," Whitt said. "You're going to do the things that Tramon has done. You're just going to do it a little bit faster.'"

Shields just shakes his head and smiles when asked if he can believe he's here, getting ready to play on football's biggest stage. Did he surprise even himself? "Oh yeah," he said.

That's humility. Just one more thing the Packers value very much about their prized rookie find.

(profootballweekly.com)

The Green Bay defense features an all-time great at corner in Charles Woodson and the year’s breakout star in outside linebacker Clay Matthews. But a lesser-known rookie might be the key to the Packers chances in the Super Bowl, says former Packer great LeRoy Butler.

“Our defense revolves around Woodson and Matthews. That’s no secret,” says Butler, who sacked Drew Bledsoe in Green Bay’s last Super Bowl win, 35-21 over New England in Super Bowl XXXI. “But to make it go, Sam Shields has to be playing at a high level.”

Shields, an undrafted rookie cornerback, had two interceptions against the Bears in the NFC championship game. His presence in the secondary allows Woodson to play at the line of scrimmage, like a cross between a corner and outside linebacker.

“If (Shields) is covering well, that defense is impenetrable,” Butler says.

With a nod to the Steelers experience and ability to comeback late in games, Butler predicts the Packers will win. “I think they have a better overall team, and I think they have a better overall makeup,” he says.

(sportingnews.com)

ARLINGTON, Tex. — Like anyone trying to learn a new vocabulary, Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields was lost. He could not make sense of his assignments, which was not a surprise considering he played only one year on defense in college and the Packers employ a kaleidoscope 3-4 scheme.

In desperation, Joe Whitt, Shields’s position coach with the Packers, resorted to a tried-and-true teaching tool. He made flash cards, drawing an offensive formation on the front and Shields’s assignment on the flip side.

“It really helped me out,” Shields said Tuesday. “I kept looking it over and over. You get it in your head mentally.”

Shields seared his image into the psyches of Chicago Bears fans in the N.F.C. championship game. He contributed four tackles, a sack and two interceptions, the second of which came with under a minute remaining, as the Packers claimed a 21-14 victory over the Bears and a berth in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are perhaps no stranger N.F.L. penthouse cohabitants than Shields, an undrafted free agent who is gracing his sport’s biggest game as a rookie, and the Packers’ defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, a former coach for the Panthers and the Texans who is breaking his Super Bowl maiden in his 25th season in the league.

“I can’t believe I’m here,” Shields said during media day at Cowboys Stadium.

He was wearing a wispy mustache and a wide smile. This is the first year he has participated in a title game, Shields said, since his Pop Warner flag football days in Florida.

“I’m feeling nervous,” he said, “but the nerves will go away and then it’s going to be time for football.”

His teammates awarded Shields, 23, a game ball in Chicago after he became the first rookie in N.F.L. history with two interceptions and a sack in a playoff contest. But before he could send the Bears into hibernation and Green Bay into delirium, he had to learn how to study film and absorb defensive game plans.

Shields was used to looking at football from the other side. His first three years at the University of Miami, he played receiver. He made 37 catches as a freshman — and 38 in the next two years, after which he was switched to defense to afford him more playing time while taking best advantage of his quickness.

“Switching late probably messed some things up,” Shields said, referring to his career arc, “but I can’t control that.”

His arrest less than two months before the 2010 draft for misdemeanor possession of marijuana did not help his status. The charge was dropped after Shields paid court costs, but the damage was done to his reputation.

“There was a lot of things going on,” Shields said, declining to elaborate.

He said he expected to be drafted “maybe in the last round.” When he was not, he added, “I came in with a chip on my shoulder.”

Shields signed with Green Bay for a $7,500 bonus and a minimum contract.

“My mind-set was making the team on special teams,” he said.

In his secondary education, Shields struggled with a demanding teacher. “I couldn’t get nothing,” Shields said. “I didn’t know nothing. It was kind of hard for me.” He added, “Joe was on me tough.”

Whitt was on Shields like black on a bruise, to the point that the veteran cornerback Charles Woodson interceded. Shields recalled Woodson asking Whitt to ease up on him a little.

That was when Whitt broke out the flash cards, and with tutoring from Woodson, Shields proved a fast study. He has earned regular playing time in the nickel package and is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Woodson, the 2009 defensive player of the year and a seven-time All-Pro selection.

To defend a receiver, it helps to have been one. “Just knowing the route combinations,” he said, adding, “Little things like that.”

The Steelers have one of the fastest receivers in Mike Wallace, and at the mention of his name, Shields’s smile grew luminous.

“I’m a fast guy and he’s a fast guy,” Shields said. “It’s going to be a big challenge, and I can’t wait.”

There is no secret to his success, he said.

“It was dealing with the veteran guys and the coaches who have helped me,” he said. “It’s also studying and staying late so I can try and get it down so I’m ready to play.”



(nytimes.com)

Packers rookie cornerback Sam Shields is a huge reason Green Bay has reached its first Super Bowl in 13 years.

Shields, who went undrafted coming out of Miami (Fla.) last April, had two interceptions in the NFC Championship Game at Chicago Sunday. Shields swiped a deep ball for Bears speedster Johnny Knox near the goal line late in the first half, then undercut a route for Knox on what became the final offensive play of the Bears' season.

It would be tough not to give Shields Defensive MVP honors for his performance in Chicago.

What's interesting is Shields could have had on a Bears uniform instead.

After Shields went undrafted last spring, he estimated eight teams made him offers. One of those teams was Chicago.

But incredibly, the Packers' offer of $7,500 was higher than any other team. Shields also said he studied the various rosters and thought Green Bay offered the best chance to play.

"I knew Al Harris was trying to come back (from a knee injury) and they maybe didn't have the most depth," Shields said. "I thought it was the best place for me to make the team."

Shields weighs 182 pound and said he hit the "rookie wall" several weeks ago. Shields said he wants to be at least 10 pounds heavier next year to better handle the rigors of an NFL season.

For now, Packer Nation should be thrilled Shields chose them over Chicago — and his other suitors — nine months ago.

"I think it speaks volumes when you can take a young man like Sam, bring him into your program, and he's now just playing football," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's not thinking about his assignments. He's recognizing routes. He's playing at top speed, and he puts himself into the position to make those plays and ultimately the credit goes to Sam, because he had a huge day for us down there in Chicago with the two big interceptions and the sack."



(jsonline.com)

The final day of full pads practice took place Wednesday at the Senior Bowl, and all that remains is to play the game on Saturday. Many of the coaches and scouts in attendance now head for home better informed on the players they hope to select in April. Just like the initial two days of practice, several prospects impressed future employers on the field and there was plenty of draft related news off the field.

One topic of conversation at the Senior Bowl is the marginal performance of the Miami Hurricane players. The once-proud program that placed a half-dozen players into the draft's first round in 2004 has fallen on hard times. Only five Hurricanes were selected in the past two drafts. Most believe the prospects are not properly developed and enter the league poorly coached. They point to players such as Sam Shields and Calais Campbell, underachievers in college who are developing fine NFL careers. The most glaring case this year is defensive lineman Allen Bailey. The once highly-touted prospect, who looked a chiseled 278-pounds during weigh-ins, has been nothing but ordinary the past three days in Mobile, Ala. Scouts are hopeful this will quickly change with Al Golden taking over the program.



(cnnsi.com)

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)

According To Peter King of CNNSI:

In Green Bay, you can say the same thing about Starks, who's gotten some tough love from McCarthy, and free-agent cornerback Sam Shields, who has been terrific as the season's gone on. Great story, this Shields.

An all-state receiver in high school in Sarasota, Fla., the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Shields went to Miami to play receiver, which he did for three years. Entering his senior season, the Hurricanes had a corner need and moved him to defense. "Never played corner in my life,'' Shields said after the Pack survived and advanced. "But it's what the team wanted, and I thought it might be better for my future.''

When the Pack scouted him after the season, regional scout Brian Gutekunst saw his raw speed and recommended him as a free agent. Sunday, in the biggest game of the year, he played about 70 percent of the snaps.

"Why? Because he's gotten better in a hurry every week,'' defensive coordinator Dom Capers told me afterward. "Plus, every practice he's been in since he's come here, he's made a play. When you make plays like that, you get noticed.''

Maybe the Bears should have noticed him more. Late in the first half, driving at the Green Bay 41, Jay Cutler threw a deep ball up the left side for Johnny Knox; Shields leaped high and snagged it, sending Green Bay into the half with a 14-0 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, down 21-14, Caleb Hanie had the Bears at the Green Bay 29. On fourth-and-five, Hanie threw into double coverage and Shields stole his second ball of the day.

"I'm speechless,'' Shields said meekly, grinning widely.

Shields reminded me of Brown the week before, when I saw him in the Steelers' locker room in Pittsburgh after the win over the Ravens. Giddy, almost. Just happy to be there. Now these college football afterthoughts nearly a year earlier are headed to the Super Bowl as important players. It's a crazy game.

Defensive Players of the Week
Sam Shields, CB, Green Bay.

The rookie corner from the U (University of Miami, for you who don't watch the players introduce themselves during prime-time games) strip-sacked Cutler late in the second quarter, forcing a fumble and a Bear punt; then intercepted Cutler and Hanie in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, to clinch the win. Charles Woodson began the postseason as the most famous and accomplished Packers cornerback, but now here come Tramon Williams and Shields with back-to-back two-interception games to spark playoff wins in Atlanta and Chicago.



(cnnsi.com)

There were 52 defensive backs selected in last year’s NFL draft, more than any other unit. Sam Shields wasn’t one of them.

But if there was a draft do-over today, Shields not only would be selected, he might well be a first-round pick. Combine Tramon Williams’ improvement this year with Shields’ meteoric rise from nowhere, and it’s an amazing development.

Shields probably outplayed three of the five corners taken in the first round during the regular season — Houston’s Kareem Jackson, the New York Jets’ Kyle Wilson and New Orleans’ Patrick Robinson — and he has played even better in the postseason. In Sunday’s NFC championship, Shields became only the fifth player since 1982 to intercept two passes and register a sack in a playoff game. One interception was a spectacular play; the other the game-clincher.

A year ago, when the Packers had to play Jarrett Bush as their nickel back in the playoffs, they gave up 51 points and allowed 375 yards passing in a one-and-done showing. In this year’s three games, they gave up a total of 51 points and an average of 213 yards passing.

On the flip side, the Packers were the ones abusing their opponents’ weak links in the secondary: Atlanta’s Chris Owens in the second game and Chicago’s starting left corner Tim Jennings on Sunday.

The Shields Factor
That was another shrewd game plan by Dom Capers: Pulling Charlie Peprah in base and replacing him with Shields. That allowed Charles Woodson to lock up on a tight end or play on the edge. And it took Greg Olsen, the Bears’ tight end, out of the game.

At this point, Woodson probably matches up better on a tight end than a wide receiver. Plus, when he was on the edge, he was taking on lead blockers, and other guys were making the tackle. He had a heck of a game. Shields has virtually become an every-down player. And having two good corners like Williams and Shields allows the Packers to do more one-on-one stuff and blitz more. And they’re less vulnerable when they blitz.

If Capers had to run Bush out there, it’s a different ballgame. Shields gives Capers so much more flexibility. Capers doesn’t have to worry about covering home base first. In other words, he doesn’t have to figure out where the other team’s offense can hurt his defense before installing all his special stuff. If you’re scared of putting a corner in one-on-one coverage, that’s where you have to start in your weekly preparation. You leave that guy on an island, it can be six points.

Obviously, on defense, it all starts with Clay Matthews. But it’s the corners who have allowed Capers the flexibility each week to game plan to take away the other team’s strengths and not worry first about covering up his defense’s shortcomings.

Most teams have one good corner. Having two is a real luxury. And to have three has to be a coach’s wildest dream. Plus, without Shields, Capers wouldn’t have the flexibility to do what he does with Woodson. Against the Bears, Woodson was playing the role that Brandon Chillar played early in the year, and playing it better.

By blitzing Shields, Capers also added another wrinkle to his defense that Pittsburgh is going to have to prepare for. And the beauty is Shields is so fast, he doesn’t have to tip it off that he’s coming. When he shot that window on his sack, he closed ground so quickly, it was startling.



(greenbaypressgazette.com)

Throughout the playoffs it was the studious Tramon Williams coming up with huge picks against the opponents, but in the NFC Championship it was rookie Sam Shields -- not once but twice.

With Chicago driving at the end of the game, trying to, at the least, tie the game up, on a fourth-down pass Shields came down with the pick yards away from the end zone to seal the Packers' victory.

"I just played my responsibility got my head around the ball, and I attacked the ball just like a receiver do and, you know, interception!" Shields said humbly when we caught up with him in the locker room.

He also had a big interception to stop a Chicago drive cold just before halftime.

Did he ever imagine, as an undrafted free agent, to have a major play in the NFC Championship game his rookie year?"Never thought this. Been a receiver all my life, then coming to the Green Bay Packers and being a corner, making plays, it was a dream come true."

Tramon Williams made himself a household name -- at least among opponents. Now it's Shields's turn in the limelight.

"I take it as being patient. The plays don't come, and that's something I continue to do. His plays came, some other guys' plays came, I guess my play came tonight. It's just being patient, that's it."

And patience does pay off. Shields had two interceptions all season long. He matched that Sunday in a big game.

He played receiver all throughout college, made that switch just before his senior year at Miami. He's come in and made an impact.
Now the Packers are going to the Super Bowl.

"I don't think it hit me yet," Shields said, "but probably I'll get on that plane, get back home, it's going to hit me. Right now it feels exciting. The guys around me, everybody's excited."



(wbay.com)

The 2010 NFL draft came and went and the phone never rang for cornerback Sam Shields.

“I was sick,” said Shields on Wednesday, recalling the vivid memory of being passed over by all 32 NFL teams.

Fast forward nine months and Shields is playing a key role as the nickel back on the Green Bay Packers’ No. 2 rated scoring defense and preparing for the NFC championship game.

No one would have guessed that Shields would emerge from the bottom of the Packers’ depth chart and become such an integral part of a defense on the cusp of a Super Bowl berth.

Not even Shields.

“I never thought of this (happening),” said Shields as a crowd of reporters hovered around his locker. “It’s crazy. This is my first championship game ever since Pop Warner flag football. I don’t count that, and plus we lost, so I mean it’s very exciting for me.”

That sick feeling after the draft was due in part to Shields getting slapped with a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge last March. Shields claimed he was falsely arrested and wasn’t using drugs. Although the charges were later dropped, Shields’ draft status plummeted.

But that didn’t stop seven teams from showing free agent interest, including the Packers, who signed Shields for a modest $7,500 bonus and minimum contract.

“That was another frustrating moment because there were a lot of teams calling and I didn’t know what to do,” recalled Shields, who consulted his college coach, Randy Shannon, and his father. They advised him to sign with the Packers.

It turned out to be the steal of the off-season for the Packers, who were desperate for secondary help after getting lit up in the first round of the playoffs last season for 51 points.

“At first I was worrying about me making the team on special teams,” said Shields. “That’s crazy, because that’s all I was thinking about.”

But Shields, with his blazing speed and man-to-man coverage skills, had much more to offer.

“He’s been great, man,” said Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson. “I think you have a young guy who came in who really had no fear, came in with a ton of athletic ability.

“He took the challenge of being an undrafted player and having an opportunity to come in and play for this team, and he took coaching well.”

Woodson and fellow cornerback Tramon Williams have served as ideal role models for Shields, especially with their film study habits.

“I’m learning something new every day, especially from those guys,” said Shields.

Woodson credits cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt with bringing Shields along with his unique teaching skills. And Shields has done his part by soaking up everything.

“He’s a young guy that takes notes,” said Woodson. “You don’t see a lot of young guys that come in and take notes.”

According to Whitt, there has been a domino effect in the secondary this season. The coverage ability of Shields and Williams has freed up Woodson to move around on defense, which has caused all sorts of problems for opposing offenses.

Williams said he’s not surprised Shields has developed so fast, even considering he played receiver until his senior season at the University of Miami.

“Some people have it and some people don’t,” said Williams. “He had it when he first came in. Some people take time to progress with it. He has it right now and he’s going to get better over time.”

If Shields continues his ascension, he could become one of the NFL’s next shut-down cornerbacks. But he brushes off any suggestions of stardom.

“I can’t let that get to my head,” Shields said. “I’ve got to take one game at a time. (It’s) Chicago this week. I’m going to go after it.”



(packersnews.com)

6 proCanes made early exits out of the NFL playoffs after he wildcard round this weekend.

Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles) all lost their respective games and will start their offseason.

Below are the remaining proCanes in the NFL playoffs.

AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).

17 proCanes will participate in the 2010 NFL playoffs. 8 from the AFC and 9 from the NFC. Below is a list of the players.

AFC: Reggie Wayne (Colts), Javarris James (Colts), Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Tavares Gooden (Ravens), Willis McGahee (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots), Vince Wilfork (Patriots).

NFC: Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Jon Vilma (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Saints), Jeremy Shockey (Saints), Antonio Dixon (Eagles), Spencer Adkins (Falcons), Devin Hester (Bears), Greg Olsen (Bears), Sam Shields (Packers).