Shields Takes Lead For Nickel Job
 Posted by Pete Dougherty August 29th, 2010, 3:51 pm

Undrafted rookie Sam Shields unlikely climb continues.

Based on practice Sunday, it looks like Shields has a real shot at being the Packers No. 3 cornerback for the regular-season opener at Philadelphia.
With starting cornerback Al Harris in essence ruled out of that game, and with Brandon Underwood out with a shoulder injury, Shields worked with the No. 1 nickel defense ahead of Pat Lee at practice Sunday.

Its unclear whether Shields is ahead of Underwood, but its a possibility, and either way Underwoods availability for Thursday night in the preseason finale at Kansas City is in doubt. If Shields plays well Thursday, he presumably will be the first cornerback off the bench against the Eagles the following week.

(Shields) is here to play football and win the job, just like everybody else, safety Nick Collins said. Right now hes making more plays than everybody else. Hard work pays off.

In fact, I think Lee is on the bubble. I probably won't project him to make the team.

"porky88" wrote:

Is this an indication of how well shields has played or how poorly Lee and Underwood have played? I guess we'll find out against Philly.

"Kingkoopa" wrote:

It's quite sad to think how much Pat Lee's star has faded as a former second round pick. Both he and Underwood were being talked up at the start of the pre-season. Yet, Shields is now certainly ahead of Lee on the depth chart, and might be ahead of Lee.

Shields seems to have all the intangibles to play the position, but he's massively raw. I'd definitely have him on the roster, but I fear pushing him to the #3 spot so soon might be disastrous.

"masseyattack" wrote: