April
Sam Shields Must Improve in 2012
Shields just one of many who had down years...
It is no secret that Sam Shields struggled at cornerback for the Packers last season. After a surprisingly successful rookie year following being undrafted out of Miami, Shields took a step back in year two.
The future looked brighter than ever when Shields capped his sensational rookie campaign with a marvelous game against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship. He finished with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack. His last minute interception sealed the game and sent the Packers to the Super Bowl.
This excitement was dulled in 2011 as Shields not only failed to improve, but regressed.
Shields had a better season statistically in 2011 when it comes to tackles, interceptions and passes defended, mostly based on increased playing time. Despite the jump is basic numbers, Shields’ year was filled with missed tackles and blown assignments. On the season, Shields was responsible for 10 missed tackles and gave up 9 passes of 20-plus yards.
It has been said over and over that Shields was probably the player most hurt by the lockout. It will be interesting to see how Shields reacts to having a full off-season in Green Bay.
With the Packers using Charles Woodson more and more around the line of scrimmage to cover the slot receiver and tight ends, Shields needs to be able to effectively cover wide receivers outside. A lack of pass rush also hurt Shields, but his game was far from fundamentally sound.
Shields needs to improve and get back to building on his 2010 season if he intends on maintaining his standing in the Packers defense. If he is unable to improve, the Packers are likely to go in a different direction in the near future. It is likely the Packers add a cornerback in the upcoming draft and also have young guys in Davon House and Brandian Ross waiting in the wings. Jarrett Bush got playing time in Packers playoff loss to the New York Giants, so that’s a possibility as well.
If Shields can forget his 2011 season and build on his 2010 year, the Packers are in decent shape going into the near future at cornerback. In addition, the Packers should have a healthy Tramon Williams, after he played almost all of 2011 with a shoulder injury.
A refreshed Shields and a healthy Williams should help to improve the Packers defense that could use any help it can get.
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Michael is a sports writer currently attending Seattle University. You can follow Michael on Twitter .
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One year wonder or sophomore jinx? Fall off in play due to lockout? We’ll get to see as this is his “rubber” year where he either shows or goes.
The one attribute that is always used to describe top cover corners is ‘fluid hips’, or the ability to roll in stride in reaction to moves by the receiver. I just don’t see that with Sheilds and I think that he used his speed to cover that liability early, but opponents have figured out that this guy is especially susceptible to double moves that get him out of position.
All I can say is if you’re going to tackle like Deion Sanders then you sure as heck better cover like him.
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If the receivers are defeating him with technique, he needs to respond with better discipline and his own (improved) technique, including better tackling. I can see how missing a training camp would hold him back, so this year is his biggest chance to learn.
Even if Shields makes dramatic progress due to having a camp, the Packers need to add at least two coverage players in the draft. While Bush is no longer the complete disaster he was early in his career, he needs to be no higher than 7 on the chart for defensive backs going into the season, and it is looking less and less likely that Nick Collins will be back.
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I have fluid ON my hips; would that qualify me to be a CB?
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I refuse to punish verbally any one player on the backend whether a 2nd year guy or the 12 year veteran.
38 takeaways on a DL team that forced it’s secondary to play marathon cover in stead of sprints.Lets get a DL pocket crusher and an OLB QB squasher.
Without a great looking front,you’ll always get it in the back!!!
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Sam Shields was AWFUL..
A
W
F
U
L
last year. His absolute refusal to even attempt to tackle in many cases last season is grounds for reprimand, ESPECIALLY since the front 4-7 weren’t getting it done.
Sam Shields wasn’t a victim of poor play up front; Sam Shields was a player who refused to pitch in and help the struggling players up front.
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i remember wondering in 2010 why opponents didn’t go at Shields more. in 2011 opponents did and…
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The front 7 were too predictable. Another NT to take snaps from Raji and Pick will keep them fresh for the Year End Run. They were both over used last year.
Enough of Raji doing anything else but D. He needs to crush the center or at the DE crush the pocket. He also needs competition.
An OLB who will make QB’s worry is needed to complement CM3.
If an inside LB can start making some sacks that will help as well. Need more surprises to keep the opposing QB’s having to worry.
GB has a few young CB’s who need to also make the leap. Never hurts to draft a CB when you can get one that fits.
The WR/TE’s need to catch the ball. The RB need to hold it tight and run for daylight.
Hopefully ARod will continue with mastery of passing.
This draft can set the tone for the next decade. Both TT and MM have long term contracts and I predict they will surprise us all.
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CB is a position you draft every year regardless of who you already have back there and how great they were or weren’t.
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Does Shields need to improve in 2012? Ya, he sure does. Along with every other player on the D with the exception of Bishop and CM3. The defense as a whole failed last year. They were dead last. The only saving grace was turnovers. Without them, last year would have been an unmitigated disaster. Not even AR and the O could have saved them.
Capers needs to get this resolved and it starts with the FA and the draft. They made some movest moves in FA. Two key poistions need to be filled. ROLB and RDT. The D backs should be working on tackling skills first and foremost. Coverage is important as well, but this can be aided by not being the last place Sack team.
Getting off the field on 3rd and long should be a primary goal for the D. Give AR and the O more times to start drives and just think of how much simpler game planning will be for MM.
I’m an O line fanatic, but this draft is the year for D. If it takes a trade to move up in #1 to get a game changer at ROLB, DO IT.
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Bishop fan here, he was one of the best players last year. But he as well played terribly at spots. He seemed like that preseason player, brilliant plays followed by horrible ones.
The only player on defense that did not regress, and actually improved, was Matthews. Everyone else need to get their act together.
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Finley was never known for drops prior to this season. In his first couple years, he was talked about as one of the most sure-handed players on the team. James Jones is an example of eliminating drops from one year (2010) to the next (2011).
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Just hope that TT and coach let their egos go and listen to common sense… Holmgren would have had acquired someone in mid season to help on defense.. the egomaniacs wouldn’t do that.
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From what I remember reading about Shields, he studies hard. Combine that with the athletic ability he possesses, and I can’t help but have a positive outlook on his career. Time will tell.
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Great comments on the lack of push by the front 7 and its effect on the DB’s, it goes hand in hand. On the other hand, Shields MUST force and tackle better or have his playing time reduced (if McCarthy was quoted correctly about tackling/playing time). No one else in the NFL sells out like Woodson does but you must give consistent effort if you expect to remain a starter (the packers are in nickel so much Shield’s is considered a starter). What made it worse was Walden got caught inside all season (where was Coach Greene on this) and Wynn and Wilson couldn’t hold the point either. I can’t believe that teams didn’t run to their left all game long.
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Agreed on everything, Michael, but, like Taryn said, if the front 7 doesn’t improve, it’s all moot point.
No secondary in the league can cover for 4 seconds constantly, not with the current rules.
Going on detail, Shields MUST improve his bump-and-run technique. If he’s as big a liability as he was last year in that department, it’ll severely limit what Capers can do. It’s not even an option.
If Shields can’t play bump-and-run effectively this year, someone else will do it for him.
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I definitely agree that improvement of the front 7 will help out all our DBs. At the same time, Shields had an awful year tackling. If Shields can improve his fundamentals and get help from the front 7, the future is extremely bright for him. It’s a matter of making it happen.
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I can’t post links? tried to link to a FO article 2 times, but the comment didn’t appear. If it’s waiting for moderation, then disregard the double post, and this one as well.
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you can post up to 2 links – don’t know why you had a problem. Were there more than two?
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Sam will be fine this year. I think perhaps he got a little carried away with all the praise he received and started thinking, “yes, I really am the shit”. Then he went out and got that horrible tattoo on the side of his neck. Sam, what were you thinking???? Since you’ve blasted your body with that giant ink spot, you might be best served to work really hard and do well this year and years to come. People don’t really like to hire men with ink blasted on side of necks!
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