Green Bay Packers eye speedy Sam Shields of Miami for special teams 

Ahmad Carroll had speed. So did Chris Johnson.

That didnt mean they could play cornerback or any other position for that matter for the Green Bay Packers.

So just because Sam Shields can run like the wind is no guarantee hell make the team. After all, he began playing cornerback only a year ago after spending his first three seasons as a receiver at the University of Miami.

Even though Shields signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent this week, his speed and potential make an intriguing prospect. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds during his pro day workout in Coral Gables, Fla., on March 26.

He usually runs 4.2, said former Miami teammate Khalil Jones, who is a first-year safety with the Packers. I heard it was a wet surface or he could have run 4.1. Ive been around some fast guys, Devin Hester. Ive run track with fast guys. I consider myself a fast guy, but Sams got exceptional speed.

That didnt help Carroll (2004) or Johnson (2003), both former Packers draft picks who came as speed guys but didnt stick long. Both had more experience than Shields, but he might have a better chance to make an impact, if not at cornerback, then on special teams.

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Shields was a standout on Miamis special teams but not as a return man. He excelled in less-heralded roles such as gunner.

Thats very important, Shields said of playing special teams. Dealing with (Miami) coach (Randy) Shannon, you couldnt travel unless you were on special teams. Coming to any organization, thats the best thing you can do to get on the 53-man roster.

Shields might have a chance as a returner, too. Wisconsin fans should remember the 84-yard kickoff return he had against the Badgers on a reverse on the opening play of the Champs Sports Bowl last season. It was the only return of his college career, but the Packers have told him they plan to try him in that role. In the first practice of rookie orientation camp on Friday, Shields fielded punts and kickoffs during special teams periods and looked smooth.

Thats someone that jumped out at everybody, just talking with (cornerbacks coach) Joe Whitt as we were walking off the field, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. He has exceptional speed, and he looked very natural as far as catching the ball as you move forward and really attacking the landmark. I thought just the number of balls he did catch, that did jump out to me.

It was for that reason, plus that the Packers didnt draft a cornerback last weekend, that Shields decided to sign with the Packers, one of two teams he visited before the draft. He said he had offers from Detroit, Kansas City, New Orleans, Oakland and Washington.

Shields wasnt invited to the combine but might have been drafted if not for a mid-March brush with the law in Sarasota, Fla. He was charged with possession of marijuana after police found a small amount in his truck. He said the incident occurred outside the home of the mother of one of his two children and the drug belonged to her.

They raided the house and she threw all that stuff in the back seat (of his truck), and they charged me with it, Shields said.

He said the charges have been removed from his record, but he feared the incident might cost him a shot at the NFL.

A lot of organizations didnt like that, Shields said. That little incident held me back. At the time it happened, I thought everything was over for me. All I had left was my pro day. I just had to get my confidence back and stay focused and do my thing at my pro day. Thats what I did.

Another reason why I don't think they expect him to do much on D is that he is 5 ft 11". Ted Thompson is on record as saying they almost never take any cornerbacks under 6 ft, and he said it again in his post draft presser last week.

But if we have discovered a game changing return man in the bargain basement of free agency I expect they'll find a spot for him.

"British" wrote:

Ted Thompson said Wolf put a lot into height and that he does not put a lot into height and even cited Barry Sanders.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

TT: We do have, at positions, we have what we'd like to have, the ideal measurements of those positions, but it doesn't work like that all the time. And certain positions, like corner, we hardly ever go below a certain height.

When looking at potential draftees for the Packers at cornerback, just remember bigger is better.

Since Ted Thompson became general manager for the Packers, he has selected four cornerbacks that have averaged a height of just over 6'1''.

Mike Hawkins (6'1"), Will Blackmon (6'0"), Pat Lee (6'0") and Branden Underwood (6'1") all had above average size at the position and this is sure to be a trend that will continue as long as Thompson is heading the draft.

(Have you ever had a height limitation on a running back? Is 6-2 too tall because they'll be running too high?)
I have not. I have not done that, no. I guess 6-8 would be a little much, and 5-3 is probably a little too short. One time, Ron and I used to go back and forth because he was big on height and weights, you guys know that. We'd always be talking about we can't draft this guy, he's 5-7. And I'd always go over and get Barry Sanders' tag and bring it over to him. Yeah, yeah, give me somebody else. We do have, at positions, we have what we'd like to have, the ideal measurements of those positions, but it doesn't work like that all the time. And certain positions, like corner, we hardly ever go below a certain height.