How good can Sam Shields become?

[vince]

I think its way too early to tell and start guessing when he might be in the pro bowl. We are all impressed with the fact he has only played the position for a couple of years and came out of nowhere to be our starting 3rd CB in our nickel D. That is really incredible and I hope he continues to get better and better. The sky seems to be the limit for him but alot can happen between now and then.

To be honest, I couldnt tell how good he is playing or not. The announcers love him so they mention his name quite a bit, does that mean he is great? Is Capers protecting him with certain coverages/schemes? He has 3 all pro's playing in the same backfield with him so not only does he have good mentors but I am sure their play covers for him somewhat. I find it hard to believe no one team has really targeted him all game long? Is that because they are afraid of throwing at him or does that mean Capers puts him in a position so O-coordinators arent sure where he will be from series to series?

I will be very interested in seeing how he adapts to the limelight and involves himself in the off season program. How hard he works & studies during this time, how he handles the offseason fame and most importantly, the soon to be large piles of money the Packers will be sending him.

Good points in here Vermont, but he's played way above expectations. You can't hide a CB out on the perimeter where he plays. Coordinators (and QB's) can easily find him and isolate him. You can sometimes hide guys a bit in the slot and give them short zones with help over the top, but that's not what Shields does. If he wasn't getting the job done out there, everyone would know it quickly. With Williams on the other side, it's surprising he hasn't been targeted more - not less. That's a testament to the job he's done out there. He's sticking on guys like glue, makes plays on the ball, and can stick his head in there and tackle too. If he keeps his nose clean (literally) down in Miami on breaks, this kid can be the goods IMO.

[pbmax]

We got Sam...now we just need Dean on ship! Rock On!!!!!

Don't you want Dave to go with Sam?

[OkayKyle]

I'm completely in agreement with VermontPackFan - there is no way Shields is as good as he is with Bob Sanders as a coach. The defensive staff has done wonders in his development and learning with Tramon and Woodson - don't forget that Al Harris was around earlier this year, too. Learning from all them and being put in the right schemes/positions has made him out to be a potential star - he definitely has ballhawk instincts... seems to always be looking for the ball when the receiver is about to catch it.

[Joemailman]

I am looking forward to next year already, and not just for SHields but for the team as a whole with all of the returning players.

I think TT will still look for a CB. You absolutely have to have 3 good ones, and I don't think Woodson has many more years left in him at corner, if any. A good fourth corner to replace Woodson in the top three in a year or two would not be a wasted pick at all. Lee and Underwood won't be missed if they are replaced.

I agree. Right now they are one injury away from Jarrett Bush being the nickel back. Lee might still be a player if he can stay healthy for once. Hard to tell though. I have no hope for Underwood.

[Joemailman]

If he improves at all, it would be like the couple of years we had with Harris and Woodson, or at least like McKenzie and Tyronne Williams - they had a couple of pretty good years.

Tyronne is another good CB that has been here during the past 10 years. I'm pretty sure he started all 16 games as a rookie.

He started 0 games as a rookie (1996) but started 15 games in 1997 when Craig Newsome got hurt.

[wist43]

Shields is a natural talent... feel a lot better about the defense as a whole knowing that we're fielding 3 solid corners. Shields is real find.

[Patler]

Shields is a natural talent... feel a lot better about the defense as a whole knowing that we're fielding 3 solid corners. Shields is real find.

I agree. He has made quite an impact for an undrafted rookie. It's nice to see a player that looks like he can replace a starter if needed. I never had the same feeling about any other young CB in the last 8-10 years, other than Tramon Williams.

The one thing that is a bit of a concern if Williams and Shields are the starters in the future, the Packers will be a bit small at cornerback. Neither one is very big.

[Brandon494]

I'd just like to state I was the first poster here that was high on Shields before anyone even knew who he was. Yay for me!

[Scott Campbell]

I'd just like to state I was the first poster here that was high on Shields before anyone even knew who he was. Yay for me!

Quit cutting in line.

[Scott Campbell]

I agree. He has made quite an impact for an undrafted rookie. It's nice to see a player that looks like he can replace a starter if needed. I never had the same feeling about any other young CB in the last 8-10 years, other than Tramon Williams.

The one thing that is a bit of a concern if Williams and Shields are the starters in the future, the Packers will be a bit small at cornerback. Neither one is very big.

Tramon still won that jump ball yesterday.

[Joemailman]

I called up Ted Thompson and suggested he sign Shields.

[Scott Campbell]

I called up Ted Thompson and suggested he sign Shields.

I called Miami and suggested they move Shields to CB.

[Joemailman]

"Success has a thousand fathers, failure is an orphan." Anybody want to claim Brandon Underwood?

[RashanGary]

I'd just like to state I was the first poster here that was high on Shields before anyone even knew who he was. Yay for me!

Not true. My brother and I saw him in the first couple TC practices of the year. He was breaking up passes from the start. Unless you knew he was good before he ever stepped foot on the practice field (in which case you're just throwing darts and nobody cares), you weren't the first.

[mmmdk]

Don't you want Dave to go with Sam?

Not my thought! Sam & Dean from Supernatural; the Winchester boys...hunting monsters of the midway! YEAH!