[Too much info on Shields]IMO because they gave him simple assignments: 'Cover that guy!' and he did very well. I remember reading that Woodson was asked by McCarthy or one of the coaches before the season his opinion on who should be the nickel corner in 2010 and Charles said, "the rookie". After doing so well as a rookie he struggled with an expanded role in 2011...[/]
I view it differently. Shields has never played much nickel corner. He was in the nickel package in 2010 and 2011, but Woodson would slide to nickel/linebacker/safety (whatever fit at the moment) while Shields held down a cover corner spot on passing downs. In 2012 he was a 3-down player at the edge when healthy.
I think his fall off in 2011 arose from a couple of factors arising from the generalized Superbowl hangover on the defensive side of the ball: playing for the highlight reel (jumping routes, freelancing) and making business decisions on the field (i.e., unenthusiastic tackling). Shields was not alone, just exposed in isolation on the edge. His in-season comments that there was nothing wrong with his tackling sure didn't help. And the tatoo...sheesh.
Such hangovers should last no more than 1 year (as though they should occur at all)...2 years gets you a ticket out of town as soon as an adequate replacement can be found. I believe Raji falls in this category. Williams too if there isn't a turnaround this season.
The question is whether Shields is ready to step up and take on the big #1 receivers in the division and league. He's been a shut down corner against #2 receivers and I have no doubt he can cover anybody down field (or as well as anybody else against Megatron). What remains to be seen is how he would handle Marshall, Megatron, etc. on the underneath throws. I suspect no worse than what we got from Williams last year.
