Shields to be cut

[PikeBadger]

None of the guys you mentioned is even close to being in the same ballpark as Shields.

None of the guys mentioned have been in the NFL half as long as Shields has. Shields was once a struggling young player too.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

This is going to hurt for a couple years...
I miss the good old days when 5 concussions only meant you had to start using your other hand to count to 6....

 

[HardRightEdge]

http://www.12up.com/posts/4430723-r...ut-star-cornerback-this-offseason?a_aid=36676

Note that 12UP, whoever that is, cites a note in rotoworld which in turn cites Demovsky. A good example of the echo chamber. Why not look at the original source?

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x171118/predicting-biggest-offseason-change-all-32-teams

"Sam Shields, the Packers' former No. 1 cornerback, will be done in Green Bay. The Packers will release Shields, who hasn't played since Week 1 because of a concussion that landed him on injured reserve. It was his second concussion in nine months and the fourth known concussion of his NFL career, which began in 2010. He has one year left on the four-year, $39 million deal he signed in 2014, and the Packers would save $9 million on next year's salary cap if they let him go. The move might force them to draft another cornerback high, even as high as the first round."

Domovsky states it as fact without citation, not even unnamed sources. He's a good reporter, so I'd assume he has some basis. Or is this a studied conjucture given the detailed rationale?

While missing an entire season with a concussion does not bode well, if he wants to play and he's cleared to play, then he'll play somewhere at a price in line with the risk. Perhaps not with the Packers, or not with the Packers at this salary. There are plenty of guys in this league playing on 4+ concussions, officially reported or not. They want to play regardless of the risks. I think Cam Newton had 2, maybe 3, in the opening weeks of this season without ever leaving the field.

Frankly, there's little point in conjecture until his release actually happens. If it's going to happen, it will be before the free agency period begins. That will be the time to consider options. Until then, we won't know who's available on the free market. Judging from the 50 posts above, I fully recognize I'm alone in this perspective.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Judging from the 50 posts above, I fully recognize I'm alone in this perspective.

Not sure where you are alone on this perspective? Do you mean the part where Sam keeps playing? That wouldn't surprise me, but as you said, if it's with the Packers, it won't be under the current contract. The Packers have had a pretty good track record of seeing when guys are medically done. I can't think of anyone they have lost due to a career ending injury and came back to play with another team. But those were all spine and neck injuries. Concussions, although a hot button in the NFL right now, might be viewed different as far as career ending?

 

[OldSchool101]

First. It's sad losing another Packer great. It reminds me of Nick Collins and how it impacted our secondary with his loss. Luckily we ended up with guys like..Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House and Casey Hayward in the fold.
$9+mil annual goes a long way though in finding a suitable replacement. I'd like to see us step into FA here and get a veteran Corner who is already seasoned

 

[swhitset]

None of the guys you mentioned is even close to being in the same ballpark as Shields.

Lol well they are all playing significant time on an NFL team that is currently scheduled to play in the NFC Championship game so.... I'd say they are in the "ballpark". I do agree with your point though lol.

 

[Arthur Squires]

It'll be sad to see Shields go! Even more of a priority to resign Hyde and draft CB somewhere between rounds 1-3.

 

[Jerellh528]

First. It's sad losing another Packer great. It reminds me of Nick Collins and how it impacted our secondary with his loss. Luckily we ended up with guys like..Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House and Casey Hayward in the fold.
$9+mil annual goes a long way though in finding a suitable replacement. I'd like to see us step into FA here and get a veteran Corner who is already seasoned

I wonder what trumaine Johnson and Stephon Gilmore will be asking. One of those two are at the top of my wishlist prolly. But I agree, would rather sign a guy like this instead of draft one with a really early pick. I think Randall and Rollins can both have bounce back years next year, and Gunter would be great as our fourth corner.. I think the timing is right for us to make a splash on a premium type defensive playmaker, and with shields salary shedding, and us in need of a number 1, this might be the offseason it happens imo.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

None of the guys mentioned have been in the NFL half as long as Shields has. Shields was once a struggling young player too.

Shields was an impact player from his rookie season on. His two interceptions against the Bears in the NFCCG were a major reason the Packers won that game.

Lol well they are all playing significant time on an NFL team that is currently scheduled to play in the NFC Championship game so.... I'd say they are in the "ballpark". I do agree with your point though lol.

There´s absolutely no doubt that Taylor, Thomas and Gunter haven´t had as much positive impact plays as Shields has had over his career though.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Shields was a,very good cover corner with elite speed. Comparing Gunter to Shields IMO is basically a joke. We saw last week Gunter is too slow to cover top WR's. He was helped by dropped passes against NY or his playoff performance would be viewed as a big liability. Joe Thomas is a 3rd down cover specialist. He's a liability against the run and isn't a starting caliber player due to his slight build. Taylor looks like the best udfa TT has signed since Shields. He has developed into a starting caliber player who can hold his own. He looks like a HOF player compared to the human turnstile Ala Barclay.

 

[Mondio]

Most guys drafted or un-drafted don't have as much impact as Sam Shields did. On any team. But let's use him as the bench mark

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Most guys drafted or un-drafted don't have as much impact as Sam Shields did. On any team.

While you´re right about that it´s simply not true that Thompson has had more success in undrafted free agency than other general managers in the league. Although a lot of media members tend to lean that way.

 

[RandyM]

Nice. I look forward to the scrub who will be the replacement.

Like the scrub Charles Woodson we brought in?

 

[PikeBadger]

Shields was a,very good cover corner with elite speed. Comparing Gunter to Shields IMO is basically a joke. We saw last week Gunter is too slow to cover top WR's. He was helped by dropped passes against NY or his playoff performance would be viewed as a big liability. Joe Thomas is a 3rd down cover specialist. He's a liability against the run and isn't a starting caliber player due to his slight build. Taylor looks like the best udfa TT has signed since Shields. He has developed into a starting caliber player who can hold his own. He looks like a HOF player compared to the human turnstile Ala Barclay.

I think Shields had a very good career here in Green Bay and imo the Packers got more production from him than their total financial investment. It will be a challenge to adequately replace him short term.
I think Thomas is still developing as a player. Really like some of his skills. Taylor may be close to his ceiling but definitely meshed well with his line mates this year. That was not an easy transition so late in pre-season. Reminds me of the way Don Barclay stepped in so smoothly when Bulaga got hurt back in 14?

 

[El Guapo]

While you´re right about that it´s simply not true that Thompson has had more success in undrafted free agency than other general managers in the league. Although a lot of media members tend to lean that way.

Is this fact or opinion? It's a serious question and if fact, what information do you have to support it?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Is this fact or opinion? It's a serious question and if fact, what information do you have to support it?

It will take me some time to gather the information needed to present it as a fact but I will post it as soon as I´m ready.

 

[El Guapo]

I'm more curious than trying to prove a point. There's no doubt that we have been more successful with UDFAs than in the past, but how it stacks up against other teams these days is the question. Maybe this should be a separate thread?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'm more curious than trying to prove a point. There's no doubt that we have been more successful with UDFAs than in the past, but how it stacks up against other teams these days is the question. Maybe this should be a separate thread?

One fact I figured out yesterday is that a total of 104 undrafted players started at least eight games for the respective teams this season. The Packers only had two in Taylor and Gunter.

 

[rodell330]

Hey come on Ha Ha is not a scrub

Gunter and Randall...Rollins isn't that good either.

 

[El Guapo]

One fact I figured out yesterday is that a total of 104 undrafted players started at least eight games for the respective teams this season. The Packers only had two in Taylor and Gunter.

The problem is that isn't the important statistic. Who are the important contributors on a team? Geronimo Allison, Kentrell Brice, and Joe Thomas surely should be on that list.

It's a tough thing to comb through, even on our own team let alone all of the others.