Green Bay Sam Shields hasn't been in the news much.
For a rookie cornerback playing a heavy dose of snaps, that's not such a bad thing, really.
Since coming back from a calf injury that knocked him out of the Detroit and Washington games, Shields has been playing at a high level for the Green Bay Packers. Usually, when rookies hear their names it's because they're getting beat a lot.
"Being out on the field, you have to bring your best 'A' game, especially playing with all the veterans out there," Shields said Thursday. "You have to be on top of your stuff and know what you're doing.
"You don't want to make no mistakes because it'll hurt you. I just try to go in there with a level head and a lot of confidence and play hard."
The 5-11, 184-pound Shields might be the fastest player on the field, and while his cornerback skills are still a work in progress, his speed always weighs in his favor. Before hurting his calf, he had his ups and downs, but since returning against Miami, he hasn't given up any touchdowns, committed any penalties or been thrown at all that much.
The Packers are more likely to keep a safety over the top of Shields than they are over starters Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams, but Shields still has to be on his man or risk getting torched. He nearly gave up a big play against New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes, who dropped the ball, but that's the breaks you get sometimes as a corner.
Besides not allowing any big plays, the most impressive part of Shields has been his unwillingness to back down against receivers like Holmes, Bernard Berrian, Lee Evans and DeSean Jackson. On Sunday, he probably will have to cover one of Dallas' big three - Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams - which will present a challenge given his size.
"I try not to be a rookie out there," Shields said. "I try to be a veteran. My whole thing is don't let a ball that is caught on me, (to) even think about it. Whoever I'm against, I have to do what I've got to do."
Another obstacle for Shields would be the return of cornerback Al Harris, which is a possibility this Sunday. The Packers have until Monday to decide whether to activate him off the physically unable to perform list, and after a two-game delay it would make sense that this would be the week.
Harris isn't sure what coach Mike McCarthy's plan is yet.
"I'm confident my body is ready for it," Harris said. "I don't know if that will happen. If my number were called, I'd be able to play."
Early returns: [ul]The options for kickoff returner are many, so special teams coach Shawn Slocum wasn't ready to reveal his choice.
The most recent person to hold that job is cornerback Pat Lee, who is out this week with an ankle injury. Slocum has been working with receiver Jordy Nelson, who started the year as the returner, and cornerback / punt returner Tramon Williams at Lee's spot.
But Slocum is also working running back Dimitri Nance, Shields and rookie running back James Starks, who is on the physically unable to perform list.
His contingency plans on special teams go as far as replacing long-snapper Brett Goode. Among those that he has tried there: receiver James Jones and guard Josh Sitton.[/ul]
Injury report: [ul]Guard Daryn Colledge (back) did not participate in practice and is a question mark for Sunday.
Colledge said on Wednesday he was fighting soreness from the Jets game and hoped to be ready to practice Thursday, but the coaches are getting Jason Spitz ready in case Colledge can't go. Another option would be T.J. Lang.
Spitz has 47 career starts (including playoffs) but has yet to start a game this year.
"Has it been a long time since I played a game? Absolutely," Spitz said. "But I practice every day and you prepare to play . . . "
Linebacker Clay Matthews (shin) took part in the walk-through but then left. He is being rested to make sure the injury doesn't get worse.
Compare and contrast: In April, general manager Ted Thompson used the 23rd pick in the first round on offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga. One pick later, Dallas took Bryant.
The career paths of the two will therefore always be linked, and they'll meet for the first time Sunday. Bulaga has started the last four games at right tackle, and while he struggled some against the New York Jets last week, he has been extremely solid.
"The biggest thing with him is he doesn't make the same mistake twice," offensive line coach James Campen said.[/ul]