quote:Packers' Whitt praises Sam Shields, sees open CB competition in 2013
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne
There will be no guarantees at cornerback for the Packers in 2013. On Tuesday, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. made that much clear. When players report back to Green Bay, four cornerbacks may engage in an open competition.
“It’s going to be interesting to see who are going to be the guys who run out there on Day One,” Whitt said, “because right now I couldn’t tell you who’s going to do what because the way that Sam and Casey have played. And with Tramon and House there, there’s four guys that are vying for two spots. Maybe three with nickel. It will be interesting to see who gets it.”
Making things is interesting is Shields. After a strong finish this season, he may be ready to take on the opposition's top wide receiver next season. Upon returning from his high ankle sprain Dec. 9, Shields' performance "was comparable, if not better than Tramon’s in 2010," Whitt said.
“Him and (Jarrett Bush) are the most physical corners that we have, but he’s the best tackling one that we have,” Whitt said. “He put that on film. That’s not me talking. …The only reason I’m talking about it is because he took so much criticism in the way he performed last year through training camp. And to come back and play — especially the last six games — the way that he’s played, I think is very encouraging to what he can be in the future.” [url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/187050591.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed][/url]
Good on Shields for taking all the heat and turning it into belly fire. Good on Whitt for using one of his limited opportunities to talk to the media to give credit where credit is due. Shields earned all of it. Past the click Whitt has comments on Heyward and there's all kinds of in between the lines stuff for Tramon.
