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
Zero2Cool (4h) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.
Zero2Cool (23h) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.
Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH
beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.
Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.
dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup
dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw
dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : I might be late on this but Aaron Rodgers is now married
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : Well he can always ask his brother for pointers
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : Bo Melton taking some reps at CB as well as WR
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : key transactions coming today at 3pm that will consume more cap in 2025
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jaire played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : reported, but not expected to practice
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jenkins has REPORTED for mandatory camp
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : I really thought he'd play for Packers.
buckeyepackfan (9-Jun) : Packers releasing Jaire Alexander.
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : (Context: he wants his defense to create turnovers)
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : Giants DC Shane Bowen tells players to “be a damn pirate."
dfosterf (6-Jun) : Semper fi !
Cheesey (6-Jun) : This is why I have so much respect for those that have gone through battles
Cheesey (6-Jun) : I can't even imagine what that would have been like
wpr (6-Jun) : "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"
wpr (6-Jun) : Facing a line of machine guns 2 time medal of Honor recipient, First Sergeant Dan Daly told his men,
wpr (6-Jun) : Another detachment went into the Belleau Wood.
wpr (6-Jun) : On the 6th the Marines took Hill 142 but suffered terrible losses.
wpr (6-Jun) : It’s time to remember dfoster’s Marine brothers in Belleau Wood. The battle went on from June 1-26. Nearly 10,000 casualties.
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : Nick Collins and Morgan Burnett have signed with the PACK
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : he won't be wearing #12, maybe he will wear number two
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : He will fail this season, should have retired
Mucky Tundra (5-Jun) : Thus the cycle of Hall of Fame Packer QBs going to the Jets and then the Vikings is broken
bboystyle (5-Jun) : Rodgers to steelers on 1 year contract
Zero2Cool (5-Jun) : It's the cycle of civilizations. Get lazier, lazier, softer, softer and vanish.
Martha Careful (5-Jun) : great point. every aspect of society, including art, culture and sports has degraded.
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