Sam Shields Still Doesn't Know If He Will Start

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)