nerdmann
13 years ago
http://packerupdate.net/?p=11914 

When a reporter tried to give Ron Wolf credit for drafting Donald Driver in the last round of the 1999 draft, the straight-shooting former general manager of the Packers set the record straight. “If I were that smart,” he admitted, “I would’ve taken him a lot earlier.” It’s safe to assume Wolf’s protegé, Ted Thompson, would say something similar about signing Sam Shields as an undrafted free agent on Apr. 28, 2010. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine that 32 teams – including Green Bay – didn’t deem the speedy cornerback worth even a seventh-round pick. You know what’s even harder to imagine? The Packers winning their fourth Lombardi Trophy and 13th world championship without the former wide receiver from the University of Miami.

Just imagine how different things would’ve been on defense had Shields not accepted Green Bay’s modest $7,500 signing bonus. Jarrett Bush almost certainly would’ve opened the season as the No. 3 corner after Brandon Underwood and Pat Lee flamed out during training camp. Think Dom Capers would’ve been willing to play as much press-man coverage with Bush on the field? And what about Charles Woodson? He went to yet another Pro Bowl after lining up 80% of the time in the slot, where his toughness and short-area quickness allowed him to excel. Without Shields, the 34-year-old might’ve had to play a lot more from the outside, where his diminished speed would’ve been a liability.

There’s no way to predict how many games Green Bay would’ve won without Shields, but it’s safe to say the number would’ve been below the 10 that was needed to qualify for the playoffs. And even if the Packers somehow managed to sneak into the postseason, their road to the Super Bowl almost certainly would’ve ended in either Philadelphia or Chicago. Watch those two games again and see just how effectively Shields played. The 23-year-old was able to hold up one-on-one against Jeremy Maclin in the Wild Card game, which allowed Capers to keep two defenders on the dangerous DeSean Jackson at all times. Two weeks later in the NFC Championship, he had a pair of huge interceptions. The first kept the Bears from scoring at the end of the first half and the second ended the game with the home team driving for a potential tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

And here’s the scary thing – as well as Shields performed last season, he’s nowhere near a finished product. He’s only played on defense since 2009, so he’s still very raw. And his blazing speed couldn’t always make up for numerous rookie mistakes – both mental and physical. That’s obvious when you look at the statistics. He gave up the second-most touchdown passes (four) and allowed the most number of plays of 20 yards or more (10).

With Shields and Tramon Williams, the Packers should be set at cornerback for the foreseeable future. That has to be a comforting feeling when you consider just how hard it is to find capable players at this key position. Remember Fred Vinson, Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas? All were high picks who couldn’t cut it in the NFL. So the next time you here somebody say that drafting is an inexact science, believe it. Thirty-two teams passed on Shields anywhere from five to 12 times in 2010. And the next time you hear a GM say it’s better to be lucky than good, believe that too. Seven teams offered Shields a contract, and for some reason, he chose Green Bay. So while Thompson was very good last year, he probably wouldn’t be picking up a ring next week if he also wasn’t a little lucky.

PU wrote:


“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
millertime
13 years ago
Love this kids potential. He seems to have a great attitude and work ethic. Probably my favorite pick up from last year.
beast
13 years ago
CB is a position I worry about. If one of the top 3 go down then the Packers are in a bit of trouble. As none of the other CBs have stepped up.

I would like Capers to have a back-up plan for the nickel in case one of them goes down other than just plugging in the next CB.

Why not a 3 S nickel? Capers has done it before on other teams. Pepreh at SS and Collins/Burnett playing FS or the hybrid CB/LB role... I think Collins would be better at the hybrid role because Burnett sometimes tries to avoid contact too much. So Burnett would then play FS (which I think is his natural position but with Collins there he got moved to SS)
UserPostedImage
PackerTraxx
13 years ago
I hope Woodson can stick around another 2-3 years to help in the development of Shields and the other CBs.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
Zero2Cool
13 years ago

CB is a position I worry about. If one of the top 3 go down then the Packers are in a bit of trouble. As none of the other CBs have stepped up.

Originally Posted by: beast 




What other team has a top three similar to the Packers and what teams wouldn't be hurting if one of their top three CB's went down? I think this is a lesser way of saying if the QB goes down the team is in trouble.
UserPostedImage
nerdmann
13 years ago
We're stacked, imo. Tramon, Woody, Shields, Davon House. After that, we've got Pat Lee, Bush and Underwood, any of whom could take a step up this year. We've also got Morgan Burnett who could play the dime back with Peprah filling in at S. Hell, we could probably give Al Harris a call in a pinch.
Thanks to TT, this team has more depth than any team in league history.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Dexter_Sinister
13 years ago
Last year before Bell hurt his foot, I would have put him ahead of Lee, Bush and Underwood.

If he can make it back, and doesn't leave over not getting a ring, I think he has a chance to be the dime.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
beast
13 years ago

We're stacked, imo. Tramon, Woody, Shields, Davon House. After that, we've got Pat Lee, Bush and Underwood, any of whom could take a step up this year.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



Not sure I'd be putting House before those others just yet...

What other team has a top three similar to the Packers and what teams wouldn't be hurting if one of their top three CB's went down? I think this is a lesser way of saying if the QB goes down the team is in trouble.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 



I agree with what your saying but playing man to man with the CBs is a big part of this defense as it frees up the other guys to do their thing. If you can cover guys man to man with only one Safety over the top like the Packers have been doing that gives him an edge. I'd like to be able to keep that edge even if a CB would get injured. Some one who would be able to step up into the nickel role very well.

I just want a good answer in case a top CB gets hurt... at QB we know Flynn is coming in.

Of course I like to suggest the idea of them practicing a 3 Safety nickel package. Think about it...

Peprah at SS, Burnett at FS (both which I think are their natural positions) and Collins at the Woodson hybrid role... (Collins because Burnett sometimes tried avoided contact last year... and they need a guy who's willing to be physical at that position).

I didn't follow Capers with the Texans but some say they ran a 3 Safety nickel while he was there.

Also last year the Packers ran a 2-4 nickel package where the OLB when up to the line and Collins went to the LB level leaving Burnett as the sole S deep... so it was a 2-4 nickel package that looked like a 4-3 with one S and 3 CBs.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (56m) : We can say it. We don't play.
Mucky Tundra (2h) : But to say they are in is looking past the Saints
Mucky Tundra (2h) : That said, their odds are very favorable with a >99% chance of making the playoffs entering this week's games
Mucky Tundra (2h) : Packers are not in and have not clinched a playoff spot.
buckeyepackfan (2h) : Packers are in, they need to keep winning to improve their seed#.
Mucky Tundra (11h) : Getting help would have been nice, but helping ourselves should always be the plan
beast (12h) : Too bad Seahawks couldn't beat Vikings
bboystyle (12h) : We just need to win Monday night and were in
Mucky Tundra (15h) : Or ties, but let's be real here
Mucky Tundra (15h) : Other scenario was Falcons+Rams losses
Mucky Tundra (15h) : Needed a Falcons loss for a Seahawk loss to clinch
buckeyepackfan (15h) : Am I wring in saying if Tge Vikings beat The Seahawks, The Packers clinch?
Mucky Tundra (21-Dec) : Agreed; you stinks
Zero2Cool (21-Dec) : I'm not beating anyone. I stinks.
Mucky Tundra (21-Dec) : rough injury for tank dell. guy can't catch abreak
beast (21-Dec) : So far the college playoffs have sucked... One team absolutely dominates the other
beast (21-Dec) : Well even if you weren't positive towards a guy, you wouldn't nessarily want to tell the media that (if they don't know about it)
Martha Careful (21-Dec) : I think MLF want Love to look past the end half issues, and feel good about his play. Our coaches generally keep a very positive tone.
beast (21-Dec) : I think a great running game will do that for most QBs
packerfanoutwest (21-Dec) : Coach Matt LaFleur has said quarterback Jordan Love is playing the best football of his career.
beast (21-Dec) : Oh, that's how you keep beating buckeye, with cheating
Zero2Cool (20-Dec) : There is a rule that if your name starts with 'b' you lose 15 points. Hey, I don't make the rules, I just enforce them!
wpr (20-Dec) : and then there is Beast. Running away with it all.
beast (20-Dec) : As of tonight, 3 way tie for 2nd in Pick'em, that battle is interesting!
beast (20-Dec) : Lions vs Vikings could be the main last game as it could determine division winners or #1 vs #2 seed
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : Or if KC needs to win for the #1 seed
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : Right now it looks like the only prime worthy games are Det-Minny and KC-Denver (if Denver can clinch a wild card spot)
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : The entirety of week 18 being listed as flex is weird
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Matt LaFleur today says unequivocally "Ted Thompson had nothing to do with the drafting of Jordan Love."
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Apparently, the editing is what pieces comments together. That Ted thing ... fake news.
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : LaFleur "opportunity that Ted Thompson thought was too good to pass up"
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Jordan Love pick was Ted Thompson's idea.
Mucky Tundra (19-Dec) : Kyle Shanahan on signing De'Vondre Campbell as a FA last offseason: “We obviously made a mistake.”
packerfanoutwest (19-Dec) : Alexander’s last season with GB
Martha Careful (18-Dec) : if I were a professional athlete, I would probably look to see who the agent is for Kirk Cousins and then use him
beast (18-Dec) : $100 million fully guaranteed Kirk Cousins gets benched for rookie
Mucky Tundra (18-Dec) : a lower case b
Mucky Tundra (18-Dec) : The real lie is how beast capitalized his name in his message while it's normally spelled with
packerfanoutwest (18-Dec) : haha that's a lie
beast (17-Dec) : Despite what lies other might tell, Beast didn't hate the Winter Warnings, it felt refreshing to Beast for some reason.
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : whiteout uniforms in general are pretty lame and weak. NFL greed at it's worst
Martha Careful (17-Dec) : The Viking uniforms, the whiteout uniforms specifically absolutely suck
beast (17-Dec) : Thanks Zero2Cool, looks a lot better now
beast (17-Dec) : Seems like someone has a crush on me, can't stop talking about me
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : Should be gooder now. The forum default theme went to goofy land.
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : What the hell
packerfanoutwest (17-Dec) : yeah beast hates the Winter Warning Unies
Mucky Tundra (16-Dec) : Okay I'm glad to know it's not just something happening to me lol
Mucky Tundra (16-Dec) : Zero, did you copy the Packers uniforms from last night and white out the board?
beast (16-Dec) : Oh crap, is the board going to the Winter Warning Uniforms too?!? It's all white on white right now!
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 12:00 PM
Vikings
Saturday, Jan 4 @ 11:00 PM
BEARS
Recent Topics
1h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

11h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

22-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / packerfanoutwest

19-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Dec / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

18-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

17-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

17-Dec / Featured Content / Zero2Cool

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

16-Dec / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Mucky Tundra

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

16-Dec / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.