Shields on the bubble?

YATittleMember

Packer Update analyzes his issues from last year, and thinks our new rookie CB might beat him out as a starter.

Notes

5/27/128:53 AM

Original Post

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HenryYou rang?

So because Heyward could challenge for playing time Shields is on the bubble? The article doesn't even remotely make reference to "being on the bubble".

5/27/129:30 AM

YATittleMember

Just trying to hype it, Henry. I guess "bubble" isn't the same as losing starting position, but I was surprised how many 20 yard+ plays he gave up last year. Knew he sucked in run support, and had developed a sudden aversion to tackling.

5/27/129:47 AM

Pack88Member

Apparently Sammie had to save that agression for his girlfriend. Hopefully next season he will go back to bumping the bigboys and leave his lady friend alone
Pack88

5/27/1210:19 AM

IowacheeseKeen Insight

A talented young CB making minimum NFL wage is on the bubble...yeah thats what it says.

5/27/1210:26 AM

Music CityMember

Perhpas the secondary developed bad habits making plays on the ball, and that combined with a lack of pass rush made them more vulnerable. I had a feeling last year that Shields was due for a step back, simply because it is common for guys who have successful years as rookies to step back a bit in the second season. He wasn't the only one, but it was very noticable.

But pass rush or no pass rush, they have to be better.

5/27/1210:35 AM

HenryYou rang?

quote:
Originally posted by GPack88:
Apparently Sammie had to save that agression for his girlfriend. Hopefully next season he will go back to bumping the bigboys and leave his lady friend alone
Pack88

I usually don't give a flip about off field stories but that one has some serious holes in it. I wouldn't try and ride that thing to town.

5/27/1211:07 AM

HenryYou rang?

quote:
Originally posted by YATittle:
Just trying to hype it, Henry.

Don't be that guy. If you choose to be that guy then understand "that guy" is roundly criticized and considered an ass hole *bayless*. Do you really want to be YABayless? Packer Update is one of the few sites that is respected around here and people will gladly read. Save the circus horseschit for Packerfappers and cheesedinktv.

As far as Shields play, second year guy in the third year of playing the position. The whole backfield was guilty of "peeking" and a lot of that came from overcompensating for the lack of rush. Sammy needs to get better and basically fully wrap his head around the CB position. The raw talent is still being developed.

Like PU stated:

quote:
The good news is that those two things are easily correctable. The Packers still have faith in Shields, but unlike last season, they figure to have a legitimate option to replace him in 2012. Second-round draft pick Casey Hayward of Vanderbilt has the intelligence and the instincts to play right away.

5/27/1211:08 AM

ChilliJonI hate the Vikings!

From the article, "How far did he drop?, far enough that Bush replaced (Shields) on early downs in the divisional playoff game against the Giants".

The biggest issue the coaches had with Shields last year was his tackling and run support. So Bush stepped in on running downs. Heyward Is a talented guy that will push Shields. That's a good thing. I think Shields will bounce back this year. Bottom line is the Packers have two young CB's with loads of potential. Can't ask for more than that.

5/27/1211:51 AM

ilcuquiTHE F*** WITH FASHION

Another excellent observation from the article:

quote:
Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay and Brett Goode might be the best young trio in the NFL. Crosby, 27, is coming off his finest season. The former Colorado star hit 24 of 28 field goals and finished third in the league with 49 touchbacks. Masthay, 25, set team records for gross (45.6 yards) and net punting average (38.6) in 2011. Goode, 27, hasn’t had more than a handful of bad snaps since joining the Packers four years ago. The fact that many loyal fans don’t know his name is a testament to just how good he’s been. Crosby signed a long-term deal last summer. Look for Masthay and Goode – both underpaid at $540K and $676K respectively – to be extended within the next six months.

Packers' special teams really have come around with these fellas plus Randall Cobb. Slocum deserves credit, too.

5/27/1211:54 AM

FedyaMember

Shields is right next to Greg Jennings.

Or maybe right next to MD Jennings, I suppose.

5/27/1212:29 PM

YATittleMember

Points well taken Henry

Mea Culpa

5/27/1212:42 PM

bubbleboy789Member

I don't care who starts at the other CB spot as long as Bush stays off the damn field.

5/27/121:23 PM

BorisPerson Man Camera Dildo Shop - NFLFU®

Ding ding ding. Thanks Bubbleboy.

Sam would have to totally flop in training camp to be cut from this team.

The coaches are going to put the bug in his ear about his starting spot

5/27/121:28 PM

Rusty42 inch pythons brother!

Would love to see if House has anything to show this year.

5/27/121:40 PM

CoachAt the head of the table

He's Free

I don't think he'd be much of an upgrade in coverage, and I don't think it's legal to have a cane on the field in the NFL.

5/27/126:49 PM

bubbleboy789Member

you'd think guys like House, Hayward, and Shields would be enough to keep Bush off the field. Assuming Woodson keeps playing the nickel/safety-rover spot, hopefully one of those guys can get the dime spot locked down.

5/27/127:07 PM

H5Keyboard Warrior, troll hunter

quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
Save the circus horseschit for Packerfappers and cheesedinktv.

5/27/128:32 PM

Timmy!TIMMAAAAYYY!!

If Heyward is as good as advertised, it would be a win-win circumstance. If he's good enough to beat out Shields, he'll be a pretty good player. At the worst, he pushes Shields to get his turds in a herd, and again, we'll have a better player.
The biggest factor, IMO, will be if Shields actually wants to stick his head into the rush coverage and deliver a hit. If Heyward or House do, and they don't blow in pass coverage, to the point if either beat out Shields, so be it. Shields definitely has the speed to excell in pass coverage, but he still needs to develop his skills to do the same.
(x4 record for use of italicized words in one paragraph?)

5/27/1210:42 PM

18c3vMember

I watched some Casey Hayward games on youtube. I don't think Shields is in much danger from him unless Shields gets injured or arrested.

Hayward just dives at people's feet and does not wrap up. He has some good qualities but is going to get beat deep a lot (unless he has a safety over the top) and I don't see how he will be an improvement over Shields.

5/28/127:27 AM

BorisPerson Man Camera Dildo Shop - NFLFU®

Congrats Timmay, you win.

5/28/127:49 AM

PakrzFREEZE!

quote:
Originally posted by 18c3v:
I watched some Casey Hayward games on youtube. I don't think Shields is in much danger from him unless Shields gets injured or arrested.

Hayward just dives at people's feet and does not wrap up. He has some good qualities but is going to get beat deep a lot (unless he has a safety over the top) and I don't see how he will be an improvement over Shields.

Can we see how he develops and performs before we ship him of to Siberia?

5/28/1211:59 AM

H5Keyboard Warrior, troll hunter

I thought GB was Siberia?

5/28/1212:06 PM

HenryYou rang?

No, Sibeeria

5/28/1212:10 PM

Rusty42 inch pythons brother!

quote:
Originally posted by Pakrz:
quote:
Originally posted by 18c3v:
I watched some Casey Hayward games on youtube. I don't think Shields is in much danger from him unless Shields gets injured or arrested.

Hayward just dives at people's feet and does not wrap up. He has some good qualities but is going to get beat deep a lot (unless he has a safety over the top) and I don't see how he will be an improvement over Shields.

Can we see how he develops and performs before we ship him of to Siberia?

5/28/1212:19 PM

PackdogMember

I think Shields and many others on defense were dealt a dose of reality last season. From Super Bowl Champs to one-and-done while the defense gave up big numbers.

Have a good feeling that the defense is going to make a leap at each of the three levels next season. Specifically, a better pass rush and d-line depth will solidify the defense as a whole. The focus on the defense with additions in FA, boat-load of draft picks, keeping talented guys like Pick and Raji fresh, keeping opposing guards off our ILB's, will in turn help the secondary.

I'm confident that Shields will rebound. Looking forward to watching House and Hayward fight for time at dime.

Is it August yet ?

5/28/124:06 PM

Ghost of LambeauMember

Shields just finished playing only his third year at CB at any level. I would say he is far from a total flop. From my point of view, he is about as good as can be expected. The tackling has to improve. He still has tools he is still learning how to use on the defensive side of the ball. TW has to come in totally healthy. He had issues last year which I suspect were due to his shoulder injury. The way I see it, if any one of them get hurt, we'd have two others to come off the bench and perform at a high level - assuming House plays like I think he can.

5/28/125:26 PM

18c3vMember

I thought Brandian Ross looked like he might develop into a decent player. I would not be shocked to see him make the roster.

5/28/1210:38 PM

CoachAt the head of the table

quote:
Originally posted by Packdog:

Is it August yet ?

Nope.

Can't wait.

5/28/1210:46 PM

dsrMember

quote:
Goode, 27, hasn’t had more than a handful of bad snaps since joining the Packers four years ago. The fact that many loyal fans don’t know his name is a testament to just how good he’s been.[/quote]
I don't think he's had even a handful of bad snaps. I doubt he's averaging more than 1 per season.

5/29/127:35 AM

H5Keyboard Warrior, troll hunter

He'd have at least two handfuls if Longwell were kicking

5/29/129:06 AM

HerschelMember

Kento knows.

5/29/1212:28 PM

Point BrewmasterMember

Two games back from an injury, Sam Shields has been playing excellent. While he certainly had regressed last season, his improved play has provided a huge boost to the defense.

12/17/1212:06 PM

PackerRussDo I amuse you?!

It helps the D out quite a bit, when you have two guys that can cover M2M (TW, SS) and then Heyward who can play the slot. SS has been great, since returning, I would imagine that we'll need to break out the wallet for him next year.

12/17/1212:09 PM

PackLandVAMember

I wonder if the time off the field allowed him time to work in the film room. Or if the improvement is just technique ability and athleticism.

12/17/1212:39 PM

DH13Member

I tried telling people during training camp when he was having his struggles that he had too much experience and potential for the Packers to cut, which more than a few were clammoring for. I think those were the same bright bulbs claiming he wasn't playing well before getting injured early this season. He played well in those first 2 games, including tackling, and he's picked right back up now that he's healed. I still want to see the dude hit the open field on an INT return. His acceleration is sick.

12/17/121:00 PM

CAPackfanMember

He's been very good all season. Looks like last year may have just been a sophomore slump. Dude was huge for this team in their meetings vs Chicago this year. He was able to take Jeffery completely out of both games so GB could just focus on taking Marshall out with help. No surprise the Bears could only score 23 total points in 2 games vs the Pack this year

12/17/123:34 PM

IL_Pack_FanMember

It's amazing that this team is at a point in the secondary where a guy as good as House can't even get on to the field. With Hayward, recovered Shields, healthy Tramon and healthy House, they essentially do have 4 different guys from last year.

12/17/124:20 PM