Sam Shields can't catch a break

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)