Shields on the bubble?

quote:

Looks like last year may have just been a sophomore slump.

or a lack of competition behind him. if he ain't gettin' it done this year, they'll put somebody else in.

Alshon Jeffery had 3 catches (targeted 6 times) for 60 yds and a TD against the Vikings two weeks ago. He was a big part of the Bears plan last week with the attention going to Brandum.

Jeffery's line on Sunday. 0-0-0.

quote:

Sam Shields did a number on Jeffery, eliminating him with one-on-one coverage. That success allowed the Packers to focus their attention elsewhere, namely on Marshall.

link

Jeffrey just couldn't understand what he was doing wrong. There was one PI that was a little ticky, but the others were just him being an idiot. Sorry Brak, I know that's your boy, but he is DUMB!

The blatant facemask he had on Shields that wasn't called pissed me off.

Not any more, my friend. Enemy.

Who you callin friend, guy?

quote:

Though quiet and slight, Shields proves he can be physical
jsonline.com
By Lori Nickel on Dec. 25, 2012

Shields grabbed his latest interception last Sunday when he pounced on an underthrown ball by Titans quarterback Jake Locker. The third-year cornerback had studied all week and realized he needed to get his head around quickly against Tennessee whenever the Titans threw the deep ball.

"And that's what I did on that play," said Shields. "It was underthrown and I kind of did an awkward turnaround. I stuck my hand out."

Rewind the calendar to 4 1/2 months ago, when it was noted that Shields wasn't having the best training camp. He might have been peeking in the backfield. It sure looked as if he was getting beat deep. When the coaches auditioned Jarrett Bush, Davon House and even rookie Casey Hayward, Shields' future looked questionable.

Three days ago, Shields shrugged it off as simple competition.

But veteran left cornerback Tramon Williams said Shields had another assignment, one that was under the radar but took precedence over everything else.

"The only thing that was ever questioned with Sam was his physicality," said Williams. "The kid has all the ability in the world. Obviously he's not the biggest corner, but when you have to put your head in there, that's what they want to see."

Williams, listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, said he sees it every year. Coaches want to experiment in camp. They put Shields through the ringer and demanded that he first put some pop in his tackle. The coverage stuff was important but he had to answer: Could he hit?

"And he showed that," said Williams. "He was focusing more on his physicality at that point and he's gotten that part of his game good."continue

Past the click there's more about his film studies and some insight on how that played out in the last Bears game. Worth the click.

quote:

"The only thing that was ever questioned with Sam was his physicality," said Williams. "The kid has all the ability in the world. Obviously he's not the biggest corner, but when you have to put your head in there, that's what they want to see."

C'mon Tramon. You haven't exactly been Ronnie Lott out there.

I would guess that it's the difference between giving enough and not giving enough. Clearly the coaches thought Sam wasn't providing enough in that area of his game based on the 2011 tape and challenged him to get his nose in it. I think it was also a point of emphasis for the whole defense and if they had to make an example out of the weakest link the hope was it would carry over to the rest of the unit. Tramon surely isn't the toughest guy out there but he gives enough to keep the scheme sound.

I'd expect the safeties to face the same challenge going into 2013. I think in the coaches' eyes they want McMillian's physical style out there. He'll be given every chance to win the job next year but he has to hold up on the assignment end of things to win the job. That kid has the potential to be the best safety on the team in a year or two. If he develops to his potential he adds a dimension to the defense that can take it to the next level.

quote:

Originally posted by antiworst:

quote:

"The only thing that was ever questioned with Sam was his physicality," said Williams. "The kid has all the ability in the world. Obviously he's not the biggest corner, but when you have to put your head in there, that's what they want to see."

C'mon Tramon. You haven't exactly been Ronnie Lott out there.

Tramon man!

Been reading his own press. I sent him this link.

It didn't count. And maybe lead to the 15 yard penalty to Loadholt. But WTF was Shields thinking after he picked up AP's non fumble and pitched it backwards like a crazed lunatic? I thought about that play last night and started laughing.

Then I remembered Tramon getting out of AP's way on the next carry on 2nd and 27 and I stopped laughing.

Do you think dating is too confusing? Do you