Sam Shields to free agency
 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...he-open-market

In a division where covering Pro Bowl receivers is paramount, the Green Bay Packers will watch cornerback Sam Shields hit the open

The team will not get a deal done with Shields by March 8 -- the date other teams can contact agents for players set to become free agents on March 11 -- and the 26-year-old corner will test free agency, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. ProFootballTalk first reported the news.

The report seems to intimate that the Packers won't use the franchise tag on Shields, either -- which isn't a surprise given the $11.834 tag number for cornerbacks.

Shields' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met with the Packers at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the sides couldn't come to an agreement, and it sounds like talks have broken off until the corner market is set.

It's not the least bit shocking to hear Shields will test the market. The No. 22 overall player in Around The League's 101 free agent list is coming off the best season of his career. The speedy cornerback compiled four interceptions and 51 tackles in 14 starts.

While Shields is a solid player, the Packers do have quality depth at cornerback and might not be willing to offer what the fifth-year player is seeking -- at least not yet.

Undrafted out of Miami, Shields played on a $2.023 million restricted free-agent tender last season and is looking for his first big payday.

There is a plethora of quality corners who soon will hit the free-agent market, so Shields could end up back in Green Bay, for the right price. After all, they still have to contend with the likes of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Cordarrelle Patterson next season.

In a division where covering Pro Bowl receivers is paramount, the Green Bay Packers will watch cornerback Sam Shields hit the open market.
The team will not get a deal done with Shields by March 8 -- the date other teams can contact agents for players set to become free agents on March 11 -- and the 26-year-old corner will test free agency, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. ProFootballTalk first reported the news.

The report seems to intimate that the Packers won't use the franchise tag on Shields, either -- which isn't a surprise given the $11.834 tag number for cornerbacks.

Shields' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met with the Packers at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the sides couldn't come to an agreement, and it sounds like talks have broken off until the corner market is set.

It's not the least bit shocking to hear Shields will test the market. The No. 22 overall player in Around The League's 101 free agent list is coming off the best season of his career. The speedy cornerback compiled four interceptions and 51 tackles in 14 starts.

While Shields is a solid player, the Packers do have quality depth at cornerback and might not be willing to offer what the fifth-year player is seeking -- at least not yet.

Undrafted out of Miami, Shields played on a $2.023 million restricted free-agent tender last season and is looking for his first big payday.

There is a plethora of quality corners who soon will hit the free-agent market, so Shields could end up back in Green Bay, for the right price. After all, they still have to contend with the likes of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Cordarrelle Patterson next season.

Reggie mckenzie is going to snap up that GB product. Bet on it!

Pass.

He did a good job against the #1 WRs that he had to face. Fared a hell of a lot better than our DBs did.

Remember Josh Gordon? He only had 2 receptions for 21 yards against Shields.

That guy AJ Green? Kind of a good WR right? 4 catches for 50.

Shields is also 4th in the league since 2010 with 17 INTs.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/b...11/shields.gif

Oh yeah, that guy Calvin Johnson right there, happens to be the best jump ball WR in the NFL.

Meh.

I'd love to have Shields. He's a lot like what Cooper could be as a finished product at CB, having made the transition from receiver in college as well.

We probably won't tap that at all, but I wish we would. He's better than Smith and Flowers.

Did I forget to mention that GB had 0 pass rush with Matthews out?

Drunk posting?

OH MY... good post is good.

We could sure do worse, git'r done Dorsey...

Well, since apparently we all wrote off Cooper... :D

Shields or Thurmond, Bryant, and Clemons.

This would be a win

I guess no one read the part about "looking for a payday"

Too bad we couldn't just give him Flowers' contract. :D

The Chiefs have plenty of cap space

So, Shields is hitting the open market twice?