Packers Question of the day - Can the Packers Manage Without Shields?
Sam Shields over the last few years has become the a clear-cut leader of the Packers' secondary, and much to his credit, rightfully so. However, suffering four concussions in the span of five years is less than ideal for Shields, who dreams of contact on nearly every play.
It's up in the air right now whether or not Shields will be cleared to play on Sunday against the Vikings, but if he doesn't, can the Packers still create a functioning secondary against a fast-paced Minnesota offense without him? Keep in mind, it's unclear if speedy, undrafted rookie cornerback Josh Hawkins will play as well. At the moment, only three active corners remain on the Packers' roster. They may just need all the help they can get.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (53)
Spock
September 13, 2016 at 09:12 am
If Rollins shrugs off the last game the answer is yes. Just saw this on a blog "NFL just reported Bak signed a 4 year 51M contract". Anyone see anything to verify this?
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 09:22 am
Here you go...
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17536651/green-bay-packers-give-four-...
Spock
September 13, 2016 at 09:24 am
Thanks, dobber!
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 09:28 am
...and now we know what the topic of conversation will be for the rest of the day...
Bugeater
September 13, 2016 at 09:56 am
Great news!
TKWorldWide
September 15, 2016 at 06:13 am
We might see more cover 2.
lucky953
September 13, 2016 at 09:13 am
Well yes. Randall was superb in coverage. Guys will step up. Joe Whitt is terrific at getting young corners ready to play. Opportunities for Hawkins (if healthy) and Brice to play bigger roles. I liked that he sat Rollins- nobody is given anything, you have to produce. Excellent competition keeps guys on their toes.
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 09:24 am
The plus is that they'll be playing Minnesota this week who will be doing the Packers a favor if they decide to air it out. Not that Shields won't be missed, but a more physical tackler on the field will pay off this week.
chugwater
September 13, 2016 at 09:44 am
Fully expect to load the box with 8 defenders and dare Hill/Bradford to beat us in the air.
RCPackerFan
September 13, 2016 at 09:32 am
Packers playing against the Vikings who have a bad QB situation right now. I think they will be fine this week. After that?
jeremyjjbrown
September 13, 2016 at 10:03 am
I hope they err on caution. I think the Packers can cover the Vikings with Randle, Rollins, Gunter, and Hyde if Shields is not cleared in plenty of time.
RCPackerFan
September 13, 2016 at 10:40 am
I hope they do as well. I think they will be fine for a game.
Bearmeat
September 13, 2016 at 10:33 am
Exactly RC.
The Vikings have only 1 NFL caliber WR right now, and they don't have a NFL caliber QB.
I'm not worried about their passing game at all. And if their OL plays this week like they did last week, I'm not worried about their running game either.
If we don't turn the ball over against their admittedly excellent defense, we'll be fine.
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 10:37 am
AS I understand, Rhodes is out this week with a knee injury, so the WR should be running wild on these guys...so long as they can keep Everson Griffen out of ARod's face.
RCPackerFan
September 13, 2016 at 10:46 am
The only WR that would fear me with the Vikings is Diggs. He has become a legit weapon.
I would have no problem with loading up the box more then not.
Vikings have a good defense, but how much did they get helped out by the Titans in week 1? I didn't watch the game only saw highlights but how much of it was the Vikings defense was that good or the Titans offense was that bad?
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 10:56 am
If you look at the two TOs that the Vikes turned into TDs, they were taking advantage of pretty poor play on the part of the Titans. You can't count on getting those kinds of breaks against a 'good' team. Still, if the Packers got those kinds of TOs and breaks, we'd be crowing about the quality and opportunistic nature of the defense. The Vikes will supposedly be without Rhodes this week, so that will help.
RCPackerFan
September 13, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Yeah, it seemed to be more of Vikings capitalized on the Titans mistakes more then forcing them into mistakes. I could be wrong it just seemed that way.
It should be a good game either way.
NickPerry
September 15, 2016 at 06:15 am
The Vikings will be throwing a lot to their TE Rudolph, they did last season and in week one this year. He's not a bad TE and in Tuners Offense the TE is always a big part. They'll attack the middle just like everyone else until Capers shows he can stop it.
jeremyjjbrown
September 13, 2016 at 10:00 am
Packers Just signed Bahk to a huge deal. I thought he'd be had for around 9-10 million per. Oops I was wrong :)
egbertsouse
September 13, 2016 at 10:27 am
Classic TT. Misread the market and lose your best lineman with no compensation and then panic and overpay your penalty machine, 3rd best lineman.
dobber
September 13, 2016 at 10:31 am
Bakhtiari plays a "premium" position and is still ascending...Sitton does not, and has really no direction to go but down at this stage in his career. I don't disagree about the no compensation part. In the long run, I think this deal is a little high for who Bakhtiari is and what the OLT market represents right now, but the market will catch up to it and pass it pretty fast.
MarkinMadison
September 13, 2016 at 03:28 pm
I'm going to disagree with you. Bakh was a top-10 to top-15 LT last year. At his age, I think the deal was just right.
dobber
September 15, 2016 at 10:49 am
Then I must not have written my post very well, because I think we agree. Apologies.
Spock
September 13, 2016 at 10:39 am
On a lighter note (since the news stories up until today seems to be on the darker side), if you have not seen/heard Kevin Harlan's "call" on the fan running out onto the 49ers field, this is hilarious!
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/kevin-harlan-called-a-49ers-fan-runn...
By all accounts the best "action" of that whole game!
:)
TarynsEyes
September 13, 2016 at 10:44 am
The worse thing that could have happened to the Packers going into this game isn't whether Shields can play, it's that Minn played bad on offense vs Tennessee and still won. 31 yds for A.P. and now the home opener, a game that Minn had circled for two years and having their wish granted playing the Packers. I don't care who plays, Hill or Bradford, we play like last week and we're 1-1.....that's all.
Bearmeat
September 13, 2016 at 01:51 pm
Taryn,
Tennessee SUCKS. And they handed Minny 14 points. Just stupid plays.
We play like we did last week and we'll win. I'm hoping we play better and BLOW THEM OUT.
I want to see Vikings fans leaving early. I want to hear "GO PACK GO!" I want to taste the salt. I want to see despondency at its peak.
:)
Bearmeat
September 13, 2016 at 01:51 pm
Taryn,
Tennessee SUCKS. And they handed Minny 14 points. Just stupid plays.
We play like we did last week and we'll win. I'm hoping we play better and BLOW THEM OUT.
I want to see Vikings fans leaving early. I want to hear "GO PACK GO!" I want to taste the salt. I want to see despondency at its peak.
:)
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 13, 2016 at 02:36 pm
Tarynfor12, Agreed!! I don't care if Shields plays or not. I'm not a Shields fan to begin with,
Game opened at GB -3 1/2. It's now down to GB -2 1/2. I don't know about you, but I can't bet GB -2 1/2 against Minn. I hate to say this, but it looks like a sure loser to me, unless the line moves 2 pt's like Sunday. Maybe a 1 pt GB win. All the money in the world will be on GB. I'm not touching this game. I don't have a good record on the GB game. Hope I'm wrong on this one.
If I do anything this week, I may put a Benjermin on Oakland, just to see if something is going on there.
I take my hat off to you. You had the GB game, Right from the start. I always seem to over think it.
LVT
TarynsEyes
September 13, 2016 at 03:04 pm
From a law of averages thinking, there are 3 home underdogs this week and one will likely win outright in regard to those averages.
Balt@Clev
Sea@ LA
GB@Minn
Which team is apt to pull off the upset.
GB with its conservative play calling, a run defense feeling their oats vs a Ivory less opponent in Jac, A receiver group that is still ??? And a secondary that had some issues and now the likely loss of its veteran in Shields.
Could the Packers win, should they win yes and yes....will they win...we'll see when there's a minute or so to go. : )
Vikings on a teaser as money line needs to offer more for risk value...waiting to Sunday.
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 13, 2016 at 04:27 pm
Tarynfor12, Once Again you've got it Right with 3 exceptions. Change the 3 Win's to Cover. I don't think I'm going to be touching this one. I've lost a small Fortune betting against Minn. I actually think GB is the pick, but will they cover? That's a Benjermin Question. Which Way??? I hope there is nothing but Bad NEWS all week for GB. Keep something in mind. MM is a lot smarter than what he is given credit for. Still, at this point I THINK YOU'VE GOT IT RIGHT.
LVT
TarynsEyes
September 13, 2016 at 04:43 pm
Change the 3 wins to cover??????
I didn't pick any wins just asked which home underdog is more apt to win.
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 13, 2016 at 05:08 pm
Tarynfor12, I should have made it clear. You stated: GB
"Should they win"
"Could they win"
"Will they win"
After I posted I realized you meant Cover. Right?
I don't play Teasers, but as far as I know, you need to play at least 2 games? Is that right? What other game did you have in mind? What is the Best Casino to play Teasers? Do ties win or lose?, or does it vary from Casino to Casino?
LVT
TarynsEyes
September 13, 2016 at 05:32 pm
Don't confuse a parley with teaser although you can parley teaser bets.
Parleys are min of 2 games with or without pts...money line.
Teaser bets allow a spread move of points by 5, but the payouts are lower but the 1/2 pts are counted and treated as whole pts rounding up/down for the move.
You can get GB +2 OR Minn +6/7 depending where you bet and as the lines move. Unless you play a parley card where the line is fixed and come out on Thursday morning. You can also do the over/understand as well.
Carefully though, it isn't as easy as one may think.
LASVEGAS-TOM
September 13, 2016 at 06:12 pm
Tarynfor12, Thanks!! Shows what I know. I thought you could Tease up or down 6 pts. I also thought you needed to Tease at least 2 games. I'll have to ask if I decide to go to GV or Station this weekend. I'm 99% sure I'm staying off of this game. I would hate to see what my GB-MINN record is.
Based on what I heard, I might do something again with Oak. This will probably all change come Sunday. Thanks Again!!
LVT
Ferrari Driver
September 13, 2016 at 10:55 am
Excellent article.
Jesus, the sky is falling!
Of course the Packers have no chance without Shields who must be the most valuable man on the team.
Perhaps you think the Packers would be better off to not show up and just rest for the following week, unless, of course Shields isn't ready to play yet.
We all know we would be better off losing Rodgers or Mathews than Shields.
Weak article; you can do better.
EdsLaces
September 13, 2016 at 03:02 pm
You are .....an idiot?
DrealynWilliams
September 13, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Fast paced Minnesota offense? Lol
I do think the Defense can still manage, but I think this might effect the run Defense more than the Pass Defense.
Does Dom trust Rollins, Randall & whoever CB3 will be (Gunter or Hyde) enough to still drop a Safety down in the box and leave them alone (if the Single Safety doesn't roll their way)?
Finwiz
September 13, 2016 at 01:11 pm
Does Capers trust the corners enough to play man, and drop a safety down, probably. The better question is, should he. (trust) Some of the faith they have in these people is misguided. The Jaguars were a lousy team last year and we still gave up way too many explosive plays. The Vikings saw all that film and they will be looking to do the same things, only with the threat of a top tier RB to go with it. I don't like this game for the Pack, 2 1/2 pt road favorites, but I wouldn't take the -2.5 side.
DrealynWilliams
September 13, 2016 at 01:26 pm
"The Jaguars were a lousy team last year..."
Previous seasons are irrelevant to the 2016 season. They still have 3 very talented receiving threats. It happens. Expecting our DBs to shut those 3 down for an entire game was not realistic.
4 catches 75 yards 0 TDs
6 catches 62 yards 0 TDs
5 catches 64 yards 1 TD
I'll take that over what those 3 are really capable of.
"The Vikings saw all that film and they will be looking to do the same things..."
Lol, Jags' Offensive weapons > Vikings' Offensive weapons. It's much easier to scheme for a Top Tier RB than it is for 3 receiving threats. If this game is close, it will be because of the Vikings' Defense - not their Offense.
Finwiz
September 13, 2016 at 01:55 pm
Previous season is NOT irrelevant when the majority of the offensive personnel have not changed, bottom line. They won 5 games last year, and the best of their team was the offense, and this 5 win doggie scored 23 on the Packers. With a similar defensive showing, I expect anything but an easy win.
DrealynWilliams
September 13, 2016 at 02:10 pm
Panthers, 7-8-1 in 2014
Panthers, 15-1 in 2015 and made it to the Super Bowl.
Oh...
EDIT: AND NO I AM NOT SAYING THE JAGS WILL MAKE IT TO THE SUPER BOWL THIS SEASON! I know how some of you get when proved wrong.
Handsback
September 13, 2016 at 12:38 pm
In a word....YES!
Lphill
September 13, 2016 at 01:28 pm
High powered Minesota offense? Really? FYI I just compared Vikings and Packers defensive 2015 stats , closer than I realized so if Viking fans say they have a great defense then according to 2015 so do the Packers.
Grandfathered
September 13, 2016 at 01:40 pm
Hyde does not play corner anymore. The rookie will be activated.
Since'61
September 13, 2016 at 02:37 pm
Shields has missed games in previous seasons and somehow we've pulled through before. I'm confident that we can again. Thanks, Since '61
MarkinMadison
September 13, 2016 at 03:29 pm
Gunter can play outside. Rollins will want a shot at redemption. They will be o.k.
sheppercheeser
September 13, 2016 at 04:50 pm
I say MM doesn't let Sam play regardless of protocol. GB has always erred on the side of caution. Plus, now they have all week to prepare without Shields, so they should be okay. Can anybody say "next man up?"
Icebowler
September 14, 2016 at 05:34 pm
Put Gunter on Treadwell. Randall on Diggs. Rollins on the third guy. If Bradford starts, expect Dom to bring blitz's from all over, hoping Bradford will audible to some old Philly or Rams play.
Finwiz
September 15, 2016 at 04:00 pm
Won't be able to blitz from "all over" because they will be keeping a safety back to help Gunter or Rollins. Won't be able to play as much man coverage so expect more zone and therefore less blitzing. Good thing MN has one good receiver because beyond Randall and Rollins I'm less than impressed with the depth at corner.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
September 15, 2016 at 09:25 am
Will they YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
September 15, 2016 at 09:26 am
Yes they will get by others have to step up too ..
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
September 15, 2016 at 09:29 am
Stop the run and run the ball key too winning ...............
al bundy
September 15, 2016 at 06:47 pm
To me it still, as in past years, comes down to the pass defense and getting off the field. Too many teams are getting easy third downs passing into an open zone. Capers has done nothing to change that scheme other than teach the new guys how to play it.
I also think they play way off due to lack of speed trying to prevent receivers from running right by them.