nerdmann
14 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
14 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
14 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)
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PackerTraxx
14 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
14 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.
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nerdmann
14 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
14 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
14 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.
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