Sam Shields

[Brandon494]

This happens every year. He might be this year's flavor of the training camp. Then, if he plays well, he'll be stashed during the year, either not activated or maybe on the practice squad. Then next year is the year he gets to play.

Most of the time, these training camp flashes end up as just that. But I am always hopeful.

You know what else happens every year? An undrafted rookie makes an NFL 53 man roster. CB Bruce Johnson, also from Miami, was signed as a undrafted FA by the Giants last season and now he is their #3 CB.

Second year in a row a undrafted CB from Miami makes it onto a team as the #3 CB. Hopefully Shields will have a good as season as Bruce Johnson.

[Joemailman]

Shields is definitely doing what he has to do to give himself a chance to be successful:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/102298924.html

Sam Shields has played a lot in the nickel cornerback position and he said he expected to continue along that role this week. He said he was excited about the opportunity. “It’s a blessing, I just have to keep going forward,” said Shields.

He’s especially confident in working on the field with his roommate, safety Morgan Burnett. The two of them have been testing each other on assignments and schemes all during camp and by now, know each other so well that on the field, they can communicate non-verbally.

“It helps, we quizzed each other almost every night,” said Shields. “We talked to some of the veterans who helped us out and then we kept doing it. Plus we’ve got that bond now, like we’re brothers. And that’s what I like about Green Bay, we all help each other out. There’s nobody that’s isolated.”

In preparation for the week ahead and the opener at Philadelphia, Shields had just asked Charles Woodson on Monday afternoon to accompany him to the film room so they could study together.

“Just getting with him, it’s really going to help me out, come game time,” said Shields. “I just went up to him and just asked him for help, and he was willing to do it.."

Otherwise, “Don’t get a big head,” is the advice he’s heard around the team so far. “Just keep working.”

[Tony Oday]

Love hearing that Woodson is taking ownership in the team and the young guys are listening and WANTING to be as good as the guys in front of them.

[bobblehead]

Love hearing that Woodson is taking ownership in the team and the young guys are listening and WANTING to be as good as the guys in front of them.

Thats cool, but I like hearing him bond with another rookie even more. He and Burnett building a hard work relationship could bode well for our backfield for years to come. (and benefit them both this year).

[Tony Oday]

Love hearing that Woodson is taking ownership in the team and the young guys are listening and WANTING to be as good as the guys in front of them.

Thats cool, but I like hearing him bond with another rookie even more. He and Burnett building a hard work relationship could bode well for our backfield for years to come. (and benefit them both this year).

Agreed but now they are buddies AND using a guy like Woodson to make sure that not only are they friends but they will know what they are doing!

[Deputy Nutz]

You can't teach speed, thus I'd be surprised he doesn't get at least a one year pass for the roster this year and then another off season to see if he can mature into a solid DB or returner.

Everyone is fast in the NFL, just having speed or athletiscm gets you cut. He has some natural instincts, otherwise there is no way you can go from being an athlete in college not playing regularly in the secondary to making an NFL roster and being in a couple of packages, unless of course Ted Thompson, and Mike McCarthy are as clueless as a retard in a concentration camp.

I think it is mistake to rely on this kids talents and potential and hope he flowers as the nickel back, not having proper depth in the secondary is really going to hurt this team for the next six weeks.

Can Shield make enough big plays to cover up a mess of mistakes?

[pbmax]

It hasn't happened yet. Underwood supposedly is close to practicing. And despite what he showed in the exhibition season, I would bet he starts if they deem him healthy enough.

[Joemailman]

I'd rather have Shields. Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes. I think Shields is smarter, and more of a threat to make up for mistakes with a big play. It's not like Underwood is a veteran whose vast experience gives him a big edge on game day.

[swede]

Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes.

Do you mean we can expect him to hire another pair of grizzled vets to escort him back to his rented condo in Dells following a charity golf outing or do you mean he will pass a receiver to a safety who is not in position to cover?

[retailguy]

Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes.

Do you mean we can expect him to hire another pair of grizzled vets to escort him back to his rented condo in Dells following a charity golf outing or do you mean he will pass a receiver to a safety who is not in position to cover?

both.

[retailguy]

I'd rather have Shields. Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes. I think Shields is smarter, and more of a threat to make up for mistakes with a big play. It's not like Underwood is a veteran whose vast experience gives him a big edge on game day.

Had I drafted the Eagles slot receiver, I think I'd be starting him over anyone else on my team.

Shields has promise but is very very raw. Mistakes are going to happen, and I hope that he has safety help, because he's gonna need it.

[hoosier]

I'd rather have Shields. Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes. I think Shields is smarter, and more of a threat to make up for mistakes with a big play. It's not like Underwood is a veteran whose vast experience gives him a big edge on game day.

Had I drafted the Eagles slot receiver, I think I'd be starting him over anyone else on my team.
Shields has promise but is very very raw. Mistakes are going to happen, and I hope that he has safety help, because he's gonna need it.

When the Packers go to nickel I would expect that Woodson frequently slides over to the slot receiver. That puts him in a position to blitz and freelance more effectively as well. Bush/Underwood will probably get the flanker more often than not.

[ThunderDan]

Per Eagles website #1 and #2 WR are: Jeremy Maclin and DeShawn Jackson. Numbers 3-5 are Hank Baskett, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper. Baskett and Avant combined for 45 rec in 2009 and Cooper is a 5th round pick out of Florida.

I am not that worried that the slot receiver is going to beat us this week with Kolb finally being handed the starting job.

That being said if I was PHI I would definitely challenge the Packers secondary all day long. If Woodson and Williams can contain Maclin and Jackson it would allow either Collins or Burnett to shade to the nickle's side of the field and help.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm almost of the mind that you don't designate Woodson as the slot guy in this game. You put Woodson on Jackson. You put Williams on Maclin. You put Shields on Baskett or Avant. You put Chillar on Celek.

[bobblehead]

Underwood strikes me as the kind of guy who will keep repeating mistakes.

Do you mean we can expect him to hire another pair of grizzled vets to escort him back to his rented condo in Dells following a charity golf outing or do you mean he will pass a receiver to a safety who is not in position to cover?

I mentioned in that gameday thread that Underwood did his job and Burnett was out of position, but I don't recall anyone else saying a word....I'm glad someone was watching the same game I was.