Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/114466399.html 

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."

"Lori Nickel" wrote:


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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
14 years ago
This young kid has been flat out impressive all year. It is great the he has someone like Woodson who has been around for such a long time to teach him a few tricks of the trade. And someone like Williams who can tell him that he too can succeed without being a high draft pick.
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sanguine
14 years ago


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.

"Lori Nickel" wrote:



LOL Raji is one funny guy
Packer fan from Europe!
Dulak
14 years ago
Our defense has been making some great plays this post season - thats 2x this game that the d stopped almost for sure scores by the bears ...
coltonja
14 years ago
The future of our D is so promising. I love to see how these guys are close, too. Reading the Raji and Collins quotes are awesome. I hope we keep everyone around for years to come. I could definitely see us becoming the scariest D in the league for a while if we keep everyone here. And please sign up Woody for a coaching job when he retires in a few years!!!!
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Thanks to pack93z for the sig!!!
nerdmann
14 years ago
Wow, least year our nickel guy was Tramone Williams. This year it's Sam Shields. Both came out of nowhere and have HUGE futures.
“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.”
Fan Shout
beast (11h) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (11h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (12h) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (12h) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (12h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (13h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (13h) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (13h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (13h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (14h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (14h) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (15h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (15h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
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