- Re-assumed the nickel role behind veterans Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson in his second season and set career highs with 15 games played, seven starts, 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and a forced fumble.
- As a non-drafted free agent, earned nickel cornerback job in 2010 as a rookie despite playing defensive back just one season in college.
- In 2010, matched his regular-season total with two interceptions in the NFC Championship at Chicago, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to record two interceptions in a playoff game.
- Also in that game, became the first NFL rookie (since 1982) to register two INTs and a sack in a postseason contest.
- Played primarily wide receiver and special teams his first three seasons at Miami.
- Was honored with Miami’s Most Improved Player Award as a senior and was voted the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior after bursting on the scene as a collegian with the most pass receptions by a Hurricane freshman since Reggie Wayne nine years prior.
Pro Highlights:
- Maturing defender who set career highs in every major statistical category in what was his second season as the team’s nickel CB in 2011. Appeared in 15 games with seven starts, collecting 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and a forced fumble.
- A true speedster who made a major impact as a non-drafted rookie in 2010, earning the nickel CB job despite playing the position only one year in college. Finished his first season with 27 tackles (22 solo), two INTs and nine passes defensed.
- With the exception of two missed games due to injury, held the nickel job throughout the regular season and playoffs in 2010, recording two interceptions in the regular season and two more in the NFC Championship at Chicago, the final one sealing the conference title in the game’s final minute and sending the Packers to the Super Bowl.
- Also contributed as a return man and punt-team gunner, utilizing the blazing speed that made him a productive receiver and special teamer his first three seasons at Miami.
- Made the transition to cornerback as a senior and progressed rapidly as a rookie under the tutelage of position coach Joe Whitt Jr., who considered him a potential high draft pick based on raw talent alone.
2011 SEASON: Returned to his role as the team’s nickel CB and set career highs by appearing in 15 games with seven starts…Was inactive for the Week 7 contest at Minnesota with a concussion suffered on an INT return in the second half of the previous week’s game vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16)…Also set new career highs with 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and his first career forced fumble…Chipped in six tackles on special teams…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Saw extensive action as the Packers spent most of the game in the nickel defense. Started the game as the third CB and appeared on 72 plays, finishing with new career highs in both tackles (six, five solo) and passes defensed (three), also forcing his first career fumble. Recorded the forced fumble when he stripped WR Devery Henderson following a 9-yard gain in the third quarter and ball rolled out of bounds. Made one of the more unsung plays of the game on special teams, serving as the “safety” on the kickoff coverage team and showed his impressive speed by coming from the opposite side of the field to track down RB Darren Sproles and run him out of bounds following a 57-yard return in the third quarter, likely saving a TD...Vs. Denver (Oct. 2): Had an up-and-down day in coverage, but scored a victory for himself with an INT early in the fourth quarter. On the INT, was in single coverage on WR Brandon Lloyd. Circled through the end zone and used his speed to bring it out and advance it for a career-long 60-yard return to the Denver 46-yard line…Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Tied his career high set in the season opener with six tackles (five solo) and also matched his career best from his rookie season by recording his second INT. INT came when he picked off an underthrown ball by QB Sam Bradford in the end zone. Attempted to return the ball out of the end zone, running horizontally and was sideswiped by WR Brandon Gibson, who delivered a punishing hit that caused him to suffer a concussion and be removed from the game…At Minnesota (Oct. 23): Missed the practice week while dealing with lingering effects of the concussion, and was inactive on gameday for the first time since Week 5 of the 2010 regular season…Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Started as the No. 2 CB with Charles Woodson (coaches’ decision – rest) on the inactive list for the regular-season finale. Finished with five tackles (four solo), a pass defensed and a game-clinching INT in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to seal the 45-41 win. On the play, stepped in front of a QB Matthew Stafford throw intended for WR Nate Burleson at the Packers’ 20-yard line, returning the INT 2 yards. INT was the defense’s 31st of the season, matching the highest total by the franchise since 1962 (also 31). Effectively ended the game, helping the Packers secure a perfect division record for the first time since the modern format was adopted in 1967 and finish the season with an unblemished 8-0 record at home for the first time since 2002.
2010: Played in 14 games with six starts, missing two early-season contests with a calf injury…Also played in all four postseason games with two starts…In the regular season, posted 27 tackles (22 solo) with two INTs and nine passes defensed, and returned 21 kickoffs for 452 yards (21.5 avg.) with a long of 49…Added 13 tackles (eight solo) with two INTs, a sack, a forced fumble and five passes defensed in the playoffs…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Started at nickel CB in first NFL game and teamed with S Morgan Burnett to become the first Packers rookie DB tandem to open the season since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Returned to the lineup after missing previous two games with a calf injury and had four tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Notched his first pro INT with a leaping, one-handed grab of QB Jon Kitna’s deep sideline throw intended for WR Miles Austin. Also took over as kickoff returner to open the second half and posted a season-long 49-yard return, starting from 6 yards deep in the end zone…At New England (Dec. 19): Had a 45-yard kickoff return among six attempts for 128 yards total (21.3 avg.)…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Started as the Packers opened in nickel and recorded three tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed, one a superb play on a deep ball to WR Jeremy Maclin that he knocked away just as the ball hit the receiver’s hands…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Turned in his biggest performance of the year with four tackles (all solo), a sack, a forced fumble and two INTs. Used as a surprise blitzer, sacked QB Jay Cutler for an 8-yard loss late in the first half, forcing a fumble that Bears RB Matt Forté recovered. Later, in the fourth quarter, came on a blitz from QB Caleb Hanie’s blind side, forcing a bad throw that was intercepted and returned for a TD by NT B.J. Raji. His two INTs came at nearly the same spot on the field, the first a leaping pick on Cutler’s deep ball to WR Johnny Knox just before halftime, keeping the Bears scoreless at the time. The second came with Hanie facing fourth-and-5 from the Green Bay 29, as Shields undercut Knox for the game-clinching INT with 37 seconds left. Became just the fifth player in franchise history to record two INTs in a playoff game, and became the first NFL rookie (since 1982, when sacks became official) to record two INTs and a sack in a postseason contest…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Had two tackles (one solo), but sustained a shoulder injury during the second quarter and was used sparingly the rest of the way…2010 Draft: Signed by Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent on April 30.
COLLEGE: Four-year letterman for the Hurricanes who played his first three seasons at WR before moving to CB for his senior campaign…Also showed his talents as a return man and special teams player…Caught 75 passes for 971 yards (12.9 avg.) and seven TDs as a receiver in his career…Earned his degree in liberal arts and ran track one year, as a sophomore…Senior season (2009): Started 10 of 12 games at CB and ranked sixth on the team with 41 tackles…Registered six tackles in win vs. Georgia Tech (Sept 17)…Posted career-high seven tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble at Wake Forest (Oct. 31)…Had an 84-yard kickoff return vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 29) in the Champs Sports Bowl that set up Miami’s first TD…Was awarded the Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player Award at the team’s annual awards banquet…Junior season (2008): Played in all 13 games as either a WR or a gunner on special teams…Voted UM’s Special Teams Player of the Year…Posted 11 receptions for 124 yards (11.3 avg.)…Made a season-high three catches for 32 yards at Virginia (Nov. 1), including a crucial third-down catch for 13 yards that kept Miami’s game-tying 95-yard drive alive in the OT win…Sophomore season (2007): Started five of the 10 games he played in, posting 27 receptions for 346 yards (12.8 avg.) and three TDs…Posted career-high 117 receiving yards on six catches, including a 51-yard grab, vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 20)…Led the team with five receptions for 80 yards and a TD at North Carolina (Oct. 6)…Hauled in a team-best six receptions for 81 yards at Virginia Tech (Nov. 17)…Freshman season (2006): Played in all 13 games with seven starts as a true freshman in 2006…Named honorable mention Freshman All-America by Sporting News…Posted 37 receptions (third on the team) for 501 yards (second) and four TDs (tied for team lead)…His 37 catches were the most by a Miami true freshman since Reggie Wayne caught 48 passes in 1997…Made his first start in a three-WR formation at Louisville (Sept. 16) and caught three passes for 63 yards, including a 49-yarder…Recorded his first career TD when he hauled in a 37-yard TD pass from S Lovon Ponder on a trick play vs. North Carolina (Oct. 7)…Caught six passes for 88 yards and two TDs at Duke (Oct. 21), the only multi-TD game of his career…Started in the MPC Computers Bowl vs. Nevada (Dec. 31) and had his first 100-yard game as a Hurricane, leading the team with four receptions for 101 yards. Caught a 78-yard TD pass that proved to be the winning score in the bowl game and marked the team’s longest pass of the season…Was selected to the 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Football Team.
PERSONAL: Given name Samuel George Shields III…Born in Sarasota, Fla. …Single…Has a 4-year-old daughter, Samyla…High school: One of the nation’s top recruits at WR coming out of Booker High in Sarasota, Fla., he was rated the No. 17 WR by Rivals.com and No. 9 by ESPN.com…Caught 67 passes for 1,201 yards (17.9 avg.) and 22 TDs as a senior, leading his school to the Class 3A state championship game…Of his 67 receptions, 44 went for either TDs or first downs…Also returned two punts for TDs and averaged 44 yards per kickoff return…Was rated No. 16 on the Orlando Sentinel Florida Top 100 list, and was ranked the No. 5 WR on the Florida Times-Union Super 75…Also lettered twice in baseball and track and field…Community involvement: Has participated in both the Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game and the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon…Also signed autographs for participants in the Bellin Health Kids Clinic…Hobbies/interests: Lists Michael Jordan as his favorite athlete and House of Payne as his favorite TV show…Residence: Miami.
- Re-assumed the nickel role behind veterans Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson in his second season and set career highs with 15 games played, seven starts, 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and a forced fumble.
- As a non-drafted free agent, earned nickel cornerback job in 2010 as a rookie despite playing defensive back just one season in college.
- In 2010, matched his regular-season total with two interceptions in the NFC Championship at Chicago, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to record two interceptions in a playoff game.
- Also in that game, became the first NFL rookie (since 1982) to register two INTs and a sack in a postseason contest.
- Played primarily wide receiver and special teams his first three seasons at Miami.
- Was honored with Miami’s Most Improved Player Award as a senior and was voted the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior after bursting on the scene as a collegian with the most pass receptions by a Hurricane freshman since Reggie Wayne nine years prior.
Pro Highlights:
- Maturing defender who set career highs in every major statistical category in what was his second season as the team’s nickel CB in 2011. Appeared in 15 games with seven starts, collecting 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and a forced fumble.
- A true speedster who made a major impact as a non-drafted rookie in 2010, earning the nickel CB job despite playing the position only one year in college. Finished his first season with 27 tackles (22 solo), two INTs and nine passes defensed.
- With the exception of two missed games due to injury, held the nickel job throughout the regular season and playoffs in 2010, recording two interceptions in the regular season and two more in the NFC Championship at Chicago, the final one sealing the conference title in the game’s final minute and sending the Packers to the Super Bowl.
- Also contributed as a return man and punt-team gunner, utilizing the blazing speed that made him a productive receiver and special teamer his first three seasons at Miami.
- Made the transition to cornerback as a senior and progressed rapidly as a rookie under the tutelage of position coach Joe Whitt Jr., who considered him a potential high draft pick based on raw talent alone.
2011 SEASON: Returned to his role as the team’s nickel CB and set career highs by appearing in 15 games with seven starts…Was inactive for the Week 7 contest at Minnesota with a concussion suffered on an INT return in the second half of the previous week’s game vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16)…Also set new career highs with 36 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and his first career forced fumble…Chipped in six tackles on special teams…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Saw extensive action as the Packers spent most of the game in the nickel defense. Started the game as the third CB and appeared on 72 plays, finishing with new career highs in both tackles (six, five solo) and passes defensed (three), also forcing his first career fumble. Recorded the forced fumble when he stripped WR Devery Henderson following a 9-yard gain in the third quarter and ball rolled out of bounds. Made one of the more unsung plays of the game on special teams, serving as the “safety” on the kickoff coverage team and showed his impressive speed by coming from the opposite side of the field to track down RB Darren Sproles and run him out of bounds following a 57-yard return in the third quarter, likely saving a TD...Vs. Denver (Oct. 2): Had an up-and-down day in coverage, but scored a victory for himself with an INT early in the fourth quarter. On the INT, was in single coverage on WR Brandon Lloyd. Circled through the end zone and used his speed to bring it out and advance it for a career-long 60-yard return to the Denver 46-yard line…Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Tied his career high set in the season opener with six tackles (five solo) and also matched his career best from his rookie season by recording his second INT. INT came when he picked off an underthrown ball by QB Sam Bradford in the end zone. Attempted to return the ball out of the end zone, running horizontally and was sideswiped by WR Brandon Gibson, who delivered a punishing hit that caused him to suffer a concussion and be removed from the game…At Minnesota (Oct. 23): Missed the practice week while dealing with lingering effects of the concussion, and was inactive on gameday for the first time since Week 5 of the 2010 regular season…Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Started as the No. 2 CB with Charles Woodson (coaches’ decision – rest) on the inactive list for the regular-season finale. Finished with five tackles (four solo), a pass defensed and a game-clinching INT in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to seal the 45-41 win. On the play, stepped in front of a QB Matthew Stafford throw intended for WR Nate Burleson at the Packers’ 20-yard line, returning the INT 2 yards. INT was the defense’s 31st of the season, matching the highest total by the franchise since 1962 (also 31). Effectively ended the game, helping the Packers secure a perfect division record for the first time since the modern format was adopted in 1967 and finish the season with an unblemished 8-0 record at home for the first time since 2002.
2010: Played in 14 games with six starts, missing two early-season contests with a calf injury…Also played in all four postseason games with two starts…In the regular season, posted 27 tackles (22 solo) with two INTs and nine passes defensed, and returned 21 kickoffs for 452 yards (21.5 avg.) with a long of 49…Added 13 tackles (eight solo) with two INTs, a sack, a forced fumble and five passes defensed in the playoffs…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Started at nickel CB in first NFL game and teamed with S Morgan Burnett to become the first Packers rookie DB tandem to open the season since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Returned to the lineup after missing previous two games with a calf injury and had four tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Notched his first pro INT with a leaping, one-handed grab of QB Jon Kitna’s deep sideline throw intended for WR Miles Austin. Also took over as kickoff returner to open the second half and posted a season-long 49-yard return, starting from 6 yards deep in the end zone…At New England (Dec. 19): Had a 45-yard kickoff return among six attempts for 128 yards total (21.3 avg.)…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Started as the Packers opened in nickel and recorded three tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed, one a superb play on a deep ball to WR Jeremy Maclin that he knocked away just as the ball hit the receiver’s hands…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Turned in his biggest performance of the year with four tackles (all solo), a sack, a forced fumble and two INTs. Used as a surprise blitzer, sacked QB Jay Cutler for an 8-yard loss late in the first half, forcing a fumble that Bears RB Matt Forté recovered. Later, in the fourth quarter, came on a blitz from QB Caleb Hanie’s blind side, forcing a bad throw that was intercepted and returned for a TD by NT B.J. Raji. His two INTs came at nearly the same spot on the field, the first a leaping pick on Cutler’s deep ball to WR Johnny Knox just before halftime, keeping the Bears scoreless at the time. The second came with Hanie facing fourth-and-5 from the Green Bay 29, as Shields undercut Knox for the game-clinching INT with 37 seconds left. Became just the fifth player in franchise history to record two INTs in a playoff game, and became the first NFL rookie (since 1982, when sacks became official) to record two INTs and a sack in a postseason contest…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Had two tackles (one solo), but sustained a shoulder injury during the second quarter and was used sparingly the rest of the way…2010 Draft: Signed by Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent on April 30.
COLLEGE: Four-year letterman for the Hurricanes who played his first three seasons at WR before moving to CB for his senior campaign…Also showed his talents as a return man and special teams player…Caught 75 passes for 971 yards (12.9 avg.) and seven TDs as a receiver in his career…Earned his degree in liberal arts and ran track one year, as a sophomore…Senior season (2009): Started 10 of 12 games at CB and ranked sixth on the team with 41 tackles…Registered six tackles in win vs. Georgia Tech (Sept 17)…Posted career-high seven tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble at Wake Forest (Oct. 31)…Had an 84-yard kickoff return vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 29) in the Champs Sports Bowl that set up Miami’s first TD…Was awarded the Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player Award at the team’s annual awards banquet…Junior season (2008): Played in all 13 games as either a WR or a gunner on special teams…Voted UM’s Special Teams Player of the Year…Posted 11 receptions for 124 yards (11.3 avg.)…Made a season-high three catches for 32 yards at Virginia (Nov. 1), including a crucial third-down catch for 13 yards that kept Miami’s game-tying 95-yard drive alive in the OT win…Sophomore season (2007): Started five of the 10 games he played in, posting 27 receptions for 346 yards (12.8 avg.) and three TDs…Posted career-high 117 receiving yards on six catches, including a 51-yard grab, vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 20)…Led the team with five receptions for 80 yards and a TD at North Carolina (Oct. 6)…Hauled in a team-best six receptions for 81 yards at Virginia Tech (Nov. 17)…Freshman season (2006): Played in all 13 games with seven starts as a true freshman in 2006…Named honorable mention Freshman All-America by Sporting News…Posted 37 receptions (third on the team) for 501 yards (second) and four TDs (tied for team lead)…His 37 catches were the most by a Miami true freshman since Reggie Wayne caught 48 passes in 1997…Made his first start in a three-WR formation at Louisville (Sept. 16) and caught three passes for 63 yards, including a 49-yarder…Recorded his first career TD when he hauled in a 37-yard TD pass from S Lovon Ponder on a trick play vs. North Carolina (Oct. 7)…Caught six passes for 88 yards and two TDs at Duke (Oct. 21), the only multi-TD game of his career…Started in the MPC Computers Bowl vs. Nevada (Dec. 31) and had his first 100-yard game as a Hurricane, leading the team with four receptions for 101 yards. Caught a 78-yard TD pass that proved to be the winning score in the bowl game and marked the team’s longest pass of the season…Was selected to the 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Football Team.
PERSONAL: Given name Samuel George Shields III…Born in Sarasota, Fla. …Single…Has a 4-year-old daughter, Samyla…High school: One of the nation’s top recruits at WR coming out of Booker High in Sarasota, Fla., he was rated the No. 17 WR by Rivals.com and No. 9 by ESPN.com…Caught 67 passes for 1,201 yards (17.9 avg.) and 22 TDs as a senior, leading his school to the Class 3A state championship game…Of his 67 receptions, 44 went for either TDs or first downs…Also returned two punts for TDs and averaged 44 yards per kickoff return…Was rated No. 16 on the Orlando Sentinel Florida Top 100 list, and was ranked the No. 5 WR on the Florida Times-Union Super 75…Also lettered twice in baseball and track and field…Community involvement: Has participated in both the Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game and the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon…Also signed autographs for participants in the Bellin Health Kids Clinic…Hobbies/interests: Lists Michael Jordan as his favorite athlete and House of Payne as his favorite TV show…Residence: Miami.
