Sam Shields Is The Kickoff Returner

by Brandon on Nov 9, 2010 2:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

When I saw this play on Sunday night, my first thought was it's CB Sam Shields and my second thought was don't fumble! From the play-by-play from NFL.com:

18-D.Buehler kicks 76 yards from DAL 30 to GB -6. 37-S.Shields pushed ob at GB 43 for 49 yards (18-D.Buehler).

Mike McCarthy confirmed on Monday that Shields is the kick returner going forward. It's a back to the future moment. When Shields was signed in April, I said that he could only make the team as a special teams return man. His lightning fast rise from undrafted college wide receiver to starting nickelback as a rookie is a remarkable story. But as good as he's been on defense, he was lousy as a kick returner in the preseason as he showed off the bad hands that made his coaches convert him from offense to defense.

If the coaches think Shields is their best option on kick returns, I'll believe them. He's shown the ability in the past and CB Pat Lee (when healthy) and WR Jordy Nelson haven't done anything in the return game. But watch out for the turnovers.

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hands...

He hangs on to the ball=he/the Pack are fine. He puts the ball on the ground=he/the packers are NOT fine. Period.

by Jeigh AK on Nov 9, 2010 2:39 PM CST reply actions

wow, what insightful analysis

Oz on Swish HR celeb: "That's the way he is. Good for him, enjoy it. I wish he could do it for me, he was a very horseshit player for me.''

by OznCoop on Nov 9, 2010 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Lol

This just in… if we outscore the opponents we’re in good shape… if they outscore us we’re not

by Goldenarmadillo4 on Nov 9, 2010 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

But sometimes that is all the analysis needs to be. :)

by Bush League All Star on Nov 9, 2010 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

this.

We have a good enough offense, we don’t need a super hero at punt returner. We just need a guy to catch the ball and run forward.

by Puddleglumed on Nov 9, 2010 3:23 PM CST reply actions

I am an idiot.

Got confused about punt vs. kickoff return job.

by Puddleglumed on Nov 9, 2010 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

I remember seeing him destroy the badgers on the opening kickoff in Orlando last December. He could be a huge difference maker on kick returns if he hangs on to the ball

"I would say my biggest flaw, my Achilles heel is my tireless work ethic"-Kenny Powers

by Wisco12 on Nov 9, 2010 3:26 PM CST reply actions

Except he got the ball on the reverse

Vision-wise, I haven’t got a huge problem with him. His downfield speed and looking for holes seems to be fine. Having seen him fail to handle catching the ball consistently in the preseason, I’m a bit more concerned.

by osc630 on Nov 9, 2010 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Fortunately

the Badgers responded afterwards and shut out Miami for 50+ minutes…

Beat Northwestern, Michigan, and Indiana, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 9, 2010 10:45 PM CST up reply actions

This really shouldn't be too big a problem.

I wouldn’t want him on punt returns as he’s far more likely to give up a fumble, but the catching part of kickoff returns isn’t very difficult. Once he has the ball he’s far more deadly than anyone else we have. If he turns out to be a problem they can switch him out, but I suspect he’s worth the risks.

by Jason Hirschhorn on Nov 9, 2010 3:41 PM CST reply actions

Hope he can

handle it in domes and on the artificial turf. We have a few games in domes remaining.

by Darrell L on Nov 9, 2010 4:21 PM CST reply actions

Sure hope he doesn’t get hurt.

by Curly Lambeau on Nov 9, 2010 4:23 PM CST reply actions

agreed

but more worried about Tramon fielding punts.

by Wade V on Nov 9, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

I’m sure it’ll be fine. Nobody ever gets hurt on returns. I mean, what could go wrong?

Still, though, I only wish there was some veteran cornerback somewhere that we could have on the roster in case these injuries happen.

by Curly Lambeau on Nov 9, 2010 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Don't you dare say that!!!

“Nobody ever gets hurt on returns.”

Don’t jinx it!!!!!!!!!!!

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Nov 10, 2010 4:18 AM CST up reply actions

I think he was being sarcastic!

by packallday555 on Nov 10, 2010 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

I think you’re right the 2nd time reading that. My bad….

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Nov 11, 2010 3:31 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah

I cringe a little every time he fields one.

by Puddleglumed on Nov 9, 2010 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

Same, especially since all he does is dance around cutting back and forth. That’s a recipe for disaster!

by packallday555 on Nov 9, 2010 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

I agree. I don't really want Tramon back there to return punts anymore.

I understand he may be our best option, but he is also our starting CB. With his play at CB, the value there is so much better than punt returning.

by Bush League All Star on Nov 9, 2010 8:19 PM CST up reply actions

Shields

must be holding onto the ball in practice since the coaches have decided to let him return in games.

by bigbill992001 on Nov 9, 2010 5:21 PM CST reply actions

As a kick returner,

I am okay. I don’t want him doing punts though, I don’t trust him enough to get the job done as a punt returner. The only thing I get nervous about is if he gets hurt. I mean geez does that mean we have 2 of our 3 starting corners returning punts and kicks? That frightens me.

by TrevorR on Nov 9, 2010 8:05 PM CST reply actions

Don't sell yourself short . . .

You’re a heckuva kick returner!

"We've got Hank Baskett"

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 10, 2010 2:44 AM CST up reply actions

Might Starks return punts?

by MikeDB on Nov 9, 2010 8:40 PM CST reply actions

God I hope so

It’s time for the “Tramon Williams, Punt Returner” era to end.

Our punt returns have been so poor we might as well just go for the block and teach someone/anyone to just stand back there and fair catch it. Forget the returns.

"We've got Hank Baskett"

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 10, 2010 2:48 AM CST up reply actions

I'm sure Shields has been practicing with returning kickoffs

So that’s the reason he’s getting the job now, as opposed to his good return against Dallas. I’m sure he’s getting practice as the punt returner too, but isn’t ready yet. That’s all speculation though.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Nov 10, 2010 4:20 AM CST reply actions

Risk/Reward..

Shields has shown much more upside returning kicks than Nelson with about the same risk of fumbling.

Now was there a better option out there..?

Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by White92 on Nov 10, 2010 10:05 AM CST reply actions

most people have seen this but

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q9zZAsTeic

damn that is encouraging

shut the front door!

by arodgb on Nov 10, 2010 5:38 PM CST reply actions

OBSIMH

will not be happy to see that

by Goldenarmadillo4 on Nov 10, 2010 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

Considering

That the Badgers creamed them for almost the entirety of the rest of the game, I doubt it would bother him much. Might even catch himself yelling “Go Packers!” while watching it.

"We've got Hank Baskett"

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 11, 2010 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Especially for me, considering I can watch it without any bad memories surfacing.

It appears as if my signature carries a certain weight with the Suns front office. I called for Jared Dudley to be extended, and they obeyed. I'm kind of a big deal. So BSotS, what should I demand next?

EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Nov 11, 2010 12:01 AM CST up reply actions