Chicago One of Nick Collins' jobs, as a veteran, is to talk to his teammates before every play. So the Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl safety pulled rookie cornerback Sam Shields over before that fourth- down, for-all-the-marbles play by the Chicago Bears at the end of the game.
"All I told him was, just play disciplined," said Collins. "And you'll get your shot."
Chicago quarterback Caleb Hanie launched the pass that could have tied the game, forcing overtime.
He was trying for receiver Johnny Knox.
Collins read the pass.
Shields read the pass.
And having studied his responsibilities and route combinations after talking to Collins, Shields knew where No. 36 was.
"I was over the top," said Collins.
"So I could undercut it," said Shields.
"Either he was going to make the play, or I was going to make the play," said Collins.
Shields lept and caught the interception - his second of the game, the greatest of his life - to deny the Bears a comeback and allow the Packers to go to the Super Bowl.
"Just a great feeling, with how much chemistry we have in that back end," said Collins. "We just play as one. Very sound. Don't get distracted by anything, we put everything behind us and keep moving. And when you can do that, it means you have a great team and a great secondary. It paid off."
Nose tackle B.J. Raji was just trying to get pressure up the middle but knew something good happened when he heard a big sigh, then silence in the crowd.
He turned around and saw Shields running with the ball.
He found linebacker Clay Matthews first and said, " 'I love you, man!' " said Raji. "It's a great feeling.
"Sam's a great player. I don't know how he slipped through the cracks but I'm glad we got him."
As an undrafted rookie free agent, Shields filled in as the nickel corner this year and seems to have gotten exponentially better with every game.
In the NFC Championship Game, he had a sack. He stripped the football from starting quarterback Jay Cutler in the second quarter. Eight plays later, he had his first interception of the game.
It helps that Shields has great hands. He caught his first interception by stretching his 5-foot-11 frame to pluck one away from Knox. But he also had the two picks because he could hold on to the ball.
Those days of preseason muffs on special teams when he tried to return a few kicks almost seem like 10 years ago.
The former college receiver showed a great grip Sunday.
"He has been doing that all year long," said cornerback Tramon Williams. "He has great ball skills; he was a receiver in college. That was something we expected of him. We knew he was capable of this. He came in with a fearless attitude. For a rookie that's rare, but some guys have it."
After the game, Shields was greeted in the locker room by what seemed like half the team slapping his helmet.
"That's a big play!" his teammates said to him.
Shields stood at his locker, ball cap on backward, looking no older than the college kids he was with a year ago. He never envisioned playing like this in the NFC Championship Game against the rival Bears to send his team to the Super Bowl.
"No, not at all," said Shields.
"I can't believe it. I'm just here, making plays, the way God works . . . I've got to keep working," he said, searching for what to say next.
"I attacked the ball just like a receiver.
"I don't think it's hit me yet."
Shields has four interceptions this year.
"We've all seen Sam when he came in at training camp," said defensive coordinator Dom Capers. "He had some physical tools, we knew he was very fast. We put him out there in the opening game against the Eagles and I think he's been growing ever since then, and so I think he's playing some of his best football now."
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