dfosterf
15 years ago
Sam Shields CB 5'11" Miami 4.30 and a 4.33

-- Right now "the fastest man on the Packers roster."


Robert Vaughn FS 5'11'' 200lbs UConn 4.64 / 4.71 40

JS Online article to follow on Shields
dfosterf
15 years ago
JSOnline article 



Green Bay may have pulled a fast one in signing Shields

Swift prospect's stock fell after March incident

Green Bay It's a fact. Cornerback Sam Shields is the fastest man on the Green Bay Packers.

This will take time, but it's also entirely possible that Shields could rival Derrick Martin as their most dynamic special-teams player.

For a $7,500 signing bonus and a minimum contract, the Packers got themselves a free agent from the University of Miami with the speed and the versatility to find a way onto the 53-man roster.

Seven teams wanted to sign Shields when the draft ended Saturday. Green Bay, one of the two clubs Shields visited, won out.

"I liked Green Bay, the Hall of Fame, everything," Shields said from Miami. "I talked to my head coach, Randy Shannon, and I also did my homework on the depth chart and how I could fit in as far as special teams. I thought it was the best fit for me."

You won't find many wide receivers-turned-cornerbacks talking about their chances to play special teams. Shields didn't mean returning kicks, although he'd like to try that. He meant covering kicks.
Shields, 5 feet, 10 inches and 186 pounds, did that his last three seasons at "The U," both punts and kickoffs.

"Gunner - that's one of my specialties right there," said Shields. "I love it. I (forced) a lot of fair catches."

Wiry and tough, Shields wasn't often manhandled at the line. Give him half a step and it was see you later.

At pro day March 26 in Coral Gables, scouts clocked his two 40-yard dashes in 4.30 and 4.33 seconds. Some teams then subtract 0.02 because of the grass surface.

So put Shields down for 4.28, a number that would blow away everybody on the roster.

"He can flat fly," an AFC personnel man said. "And he plays it with pads on. In the Texas vs. the Nation Game, when he turned to run, it was special."

Recruited as a wide receiver out of Sarasota, Fla., Shields started 15 of 36 games from 2006-'08. Each year, his playing time and production decreased. Shields finished with 75 receptions for 971 yards (12.9) and seven touchdowns, but scouts say he dropped way too many passes.
Rather than relegate Shields to a special-teams only role as a senior, Shannon moved him to cornerback last spring. He started 10 games there for a 9-4 team, breaking up two passes and intercepting none, and was named the team's most improved player.

"He might be that (special) teams guy you make a spot for," the AFC scout said. "He can run all day with wideouts, but his problem is finishing at the ball. It's all new to him. But he might be your fifth corner, and he might end up being your fifth wideout."

Before the events of March 18, Shields figured he might be drafted in the third or fourth round. Several scouts pegged him in the later rounds.
An unmarried father of two daughters, Shields was en route to pick up one of them at her grandmother's house in Sarasota. Shortly after arrival, Shields was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams). He spent that night in the Sarasota County Jail.

The story made headlines across Florida and was noted everywhere else.
Now move ahead to April 14, when the charges were dropped after Shields paid some court costs.
"Basically, everybody thinks I got pulled over because I was smoking pot and all I was never arrested before. I never tested . . that," Shields said. ". positive on a drug test. I smoked in high school, but I didn't like it. That was about it."

According to Shields, Sarasota police raided the residence shortly after he arrived because they suspected drugs were being sold there. Shields said he was not using marijuana and was falsely arrested.

Shields conceded that he deserved to be suspended by Shannon for the '07 opener because "I was immature at the time and wasn't going to class."

Shields also didn't complain about Shannon benching him for another game in '07 because of poor practice habits.

"He knows how fast I run," Shields said. "I didn't think so, but Coach Shannon said I wasn't running fast enough. He's tough. That's what I like."
Having interviewed Shields at length, the AFC executive expressed no misgivings about his character.

"Talking to him, going over his history, how he talked about other people and he never bad-mouthed anybody," the scout said. "You don't . . coaches. detect attitude in him. He's humble. Well-mannered. Unassuming. He'll do the best of his ability whatever they ask him to do."
Aside from apprenticing under Charles Woodson, Shields can't wait to resume his relationship with cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt.

"When we were looking at my film, he saw the raw talent and said he could coach me up," said Shields. "I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It will make me better in life."

dfosterf
15 years ago
Draftblitz interview of Robert Vaughn 

Robert Vaughn Interview
UConn Safety
By: Alex Khvatov

1/18/10

Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Robert Vaughn: 60, 202, 4.58 forty.

Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Robert Vaughn: In high school, I played running back, slot receiver, outside linebacker, kick returner and punt returner.

Alex Khvatov: What schools showed interest in you during the recruiting process?
Robert Vaughn: UConn, Iowa and Wisconsin were my top three. I almost committed to Iowa.

Alex Khvatov: What made you choose UConn?
Robert Vaughn: UConn was close to my home. I wanted my family to see me play. I felt comfortable with the coaching staff. I visited the campus more than once. I was able to go to UConns practices. Iowa came in late. I wasnt able to go to Iowas campus.

Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths on the football field?
Robert Vaughn: My coverage skills and my versatility. I am a ballhawk. I am a playmaker.

Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?
Robert Vaughn: I need to be a better in the box safety. I have never been in the box. I never had to take on a fullback or a lineman on a regular basis. I played free safety at UConn. I played in the cover 4. I always played back there. I also need to get stronger.

Alex Khvatov: What were your personal and team goals heading into your senior season?
Robert Vaughn: My personal goal was to make the first-team All-Big East. I didnt make any teams this year. I made second-team my junior year. I also wanted to get five INTs this year which I got. I became more of a playmaker this year. Overall my stats were the best through my four years of playing. In the end, our team was satisfied with eight wins. We went through a lot with Jas (CB Jasper Howard). We could have easily given up. We stuck together as a family. Jas death was unexpected. It put a hurt on our program after he passed away. But we bounced back and won a few games to end the season. We beat Notre Dame and won our bowl game.

Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your bowl win over South Carolina.
Robert Vaughn: Everyone said that we cant matchup with an SEC team. They were too fast for us. We proved that we can compete. They didnt get anything on us. We came away with a win. We showed everyone that we can bounce back. We had a lot of close losses this season. But it was a good ending.

Alex Khvatov: What will you miss the most about the University of UConn?
Robert Vaughn: Playing in the Rentschler Field Stadium. In high school, I played in front of 5,000 people. I enjoyed playing on the big stage here in this stadium. You know that everyone is watching you to see if you can make the play or not make it.

Alex Khvatov: What is the most memorable moment of your college career?
Robert Vaughn: The most memorable moment is Jas. That is what I will remember. That act of violence was so unfortunate. That young man was going to have great success. You dont expect violence on a college campus. Parents feel safe when they send their kids to college. You have to feel sorry for his mom. He was going to do it. He was a determined kid. He was one of my good friends. I have been to a lot of funerals, but I broke down and cried at his funeral. He loved the game. He was a competitor. He always had a smile on his face. I see his face every day. I remember all of the conversations that we had. It has been hard after he passed away. I see his memorial on campus and his jersey on the sidelines. I know that he is in a better place.

Alex Khvatov: Describe your head coach Randy Edsall to us.
Robert Vaughn: Randy Edsall is a good coach. I am fortunate that I committed here. He taught me how to be responsible and be on time. I learned how to work hard here. The coaches have always been there for us. They worked hard. Coach Edsall always talked about the little things. Things that might not even have to do with football. He is a good all-around coach. He cares. He is a players coach. I really admire the way he handled the death of Jas. He helped us deal with it.

Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Robert Vaughn: I grew up watching the Patriots. I really dont have a favorite NFL team. I will play in the NFL for any team that wants me. I dont discriminate.

Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Robert Vaughn: Rodney Harrison. I met him a couple of times. My good friend in high school had a dad that was a RBs coach for the Patriots. I had a chance to go to a few games. I went on the field and met him. I took a picture with him and picked his brain a little. He was my favorite player.

Alex Khvatov: Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?
Robert Vaughn: CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson. He definitely has that potential. He reminds me of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He is going to be a good corner.

Alex Khvatov: Has the NFL always been in the back of your mind?
Robert Vaughn: Yes, always. Since the first time I started playing football. I played running back and I wanted to be like Emmitt Smith. That is all I think about every day.

Alex Khvatov: What do you plan to do with your life after football?
Robert Vaughn: My grandfather built the barbershop business from nothing. Our family has nine barbershops around the Boston area. It is a family chain. I have grown up cutting hair. I want to help and keep this barbershop business going. The barbershop is called Lawsons. I want to maybe expand it someday.

Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Robert Vaughn: I play the drums. I played in the church. I play basketball. I like to play Madden and Call of Duty.

Alex Khvatov: Are you excited to participate in The Texas versus The Nation All-Star Game?
Robert Vaughn: Yeah, I cant wait. I have already started training. I am ready to go up there. It is like a job interview.

Alex Khvatov: How are you preparing for the NFL Draft?
Robert Vaughn: I am in Orlando training with Darrell Green. He is putting me through some good workouts. He was a 20-year veteran in the NFL. He knows a thing or two about hard work. I think that I am learning from the right man.

Alex Khvatov: Finish the sentence, Robert Vaughn is.
Robert Vaughn: A player that loves the game. I am determined to be the best that I can be. I am a good family man.

Fan Shout
wpr (3h) : Me do-ed it gooderly,
Zero2Cool (17h) : Bahah, I was like WTF why isn't anyone posting on PP.com ... oops no one has permissions
dfosterf (19h) : tell her I reckon
dfosterf (19h) : Micah Robinson cut. Probable PS player tomorrow. Has to call mom back and t
Zero2Cool (22h) : New site so much better. Might make switch and deal with it.
dfosterf (22h) : Mecole Hardman to our practice squad
dfosterf (22h) : Nick Nieman from Texans our 5th linebacker. Special teams signing
TheKanataThrilla (23h) : Looks like we signed Clayton Tune as QB3
wpr (23h) : TKT people lose their minds over QB3. Point is almost none of them are ready that's why they are on the PS and other teams don't take them.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Unfortunately he doesn't seem ready to be an emergency QB.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : As a Canadian and a follower of Canadian University football. I am rooting for him
dfosterf (27-Aug) : I bet a lot of us will follow the Taylor Elgersma journey with interest. Personally, got a Kurt Warner vibe goin' on. I like him
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Not sure if either will be claimed though.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Tune or Hooker would make sense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Clayton Tune cut by the Cards? Don't know if that's the guy, we shall see
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Per Bill Huber, the Packers will not be bringing back Taylor Elgersma or Sean Clifford on the practice squad, so a new third quarterback
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : Schefter must have deleted his tweet
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Hopefully Jerry reaches under the seat cushions and ashtrays of his jet and scrapes up the 45 million apr and spares us further nonsense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Have to admit the PO'd Cowboy fan videos would be fun to watch. Problem with draft picks is half their fanbase barely knows what that is
beast (27-Aug) : I think Cowboys fans are ready to get their pitch forks and burning sticks if Jerry were to trade Micah
dfosterf (27-Aug) : If Jerry traded Micah to GB, here in northern Va. they would have to quick build yet another data center to handle the internet hate traffic
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : its signing and trades that you don't hear about, other then announced
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : If you hear rumors about Packers sign or trade, won't happen. Not how they work
dfosterf (27-Aug) : 19 players in a contract year. Jones called loss to us worst loss in Cowboy history. Forget Parsons trade. Not happenin' Cap'n
packerfanoutwest (27-Aug) : The Packers, meanwhile, are the youngest team in the league for the third consecutive year.
dfosterf (27-Aug) : That it was darkest before the dawn in Bengals and Commanders before they got deals done
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : what is Schefter saying?
dfosterf (27-Aug) : He was getting Dorito infusion therapy
dfosterf (27-Aug) : He's outta shape. Why, just the other day I saw him splayed out on the trainers table
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : Parsons has followed Rasheed Walker on Twitter. Quite the choice
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : Kuhn is a former player who works for the team, if somethings going down, he would be close to it
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : @kuhnj30 Micah Freaking Parsons
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : A LOT of buzz on the Bird App regarding Parsons; even Schefter is saying it's serious
dfosterf (26-Aug) : *Orzech*
dfosterf (26-Aug) : Orzich long snapper 3 yr extension
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : Packers signed someone for three year deal
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : lol i know it's insane ... sign up for the waiver wire then you'll know
wpr (26-Aug) : YES!!!!!!
Mucky Tundra (26-Aug) : WE WANT THE LIST! WE WANT THE LIST!
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : @JJLahey · 2m Holy crap, Packers, where the heck is the list?
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : haha folks on Tweeter every year this time ... 'where is list Packers!!" hahaha
wpr (26-Aug) : He played pretty good.
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : NAZIR STACKHOUSE HAS MADE THE 53
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : NOOOOO KALEN IS GONE
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : Kalen King and Kamal Hadden making it. me thinks
schroeder84 (26-Aug) : @dfosterf I suspect Elgersma WILL be hard to hide. Raw, but talented
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : pp.com is broken, halt testing, gotta go do work things for a bit
hardrocker950 (26-Aug) : Mecole Hardman was released, to the surprise of few
Zero2Cool (26-Aug) : PP.com updated. Reset Password works, and now User Profile pages are a thing
Zero2Cool (25-Aug) : Soft hope plan is having fantasy football weekly on-site that i build. cannot do that with this setup.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
36m / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

18h / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

18h / Fantasy Sports Talk / Zero2Cool

19h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

27-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Cheesey

26-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

26-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

25-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

24-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

24-Aug / Around The NFL / beast

23-Aug / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

22-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

21-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.