Sam Shields - Pro Football Rumors

NFC FA Rumors: Ward, Hatcher, Johnson

March 8th, 2014 at 10:04pm CST by Peter Sowards

We passed along some news earlier today that the Lions had shown interest in free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner, but Detroit Free Press writer Dave Birkett was quick to shoot it down, citing the team’s bigger need at safety.

One of the top free agent safeties, T.J. Ward, has reportedly drawn interest from Detroit, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Rapoport says the team hopes it can create cap space with a re-do of its deal with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who currently carries a $22.41MM number for 2014.

Passing along a few more free agent rumors from around the NFC…

Free agent defensive lineman Jason Hatcher has seven to eight teams interested in his talents, per ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins (via Twitter). Hatcher had 11 sacks for the Cowboys in 2013, more than double his previous career high.
Add the Buccaneers to the growing list of teams interested in Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
The Giants are serious about adding a cornerback, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. They’ve already shown interest in Verner, and an NFL source said the team was inclined to place a competitive bid on Sam Shields before he re-signed with the Packers.
Free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton has “multiple suitors,” a source tells ESPN.com reporter Michael C. Wright (via Twitter). Melton excelled from 2010-’12 with the Bears, but a knee injury in 2013 coupled with off-the-field issues has curtailed his stock.

FA Rumors Roundup: Verner, Byrd, Jones

March 8th, 2014 at 8:36pm CST by Peter Sowards

The period for agents of free agents to negotiate with NFL teams began today at 11:00am CT, and the rumors have been steadily pouring in.

Free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner has been the topic of a good portion of those rumors. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reports that the Lions, Steelers and Giants have been added to the mix of teams interested in the former UCLA Bruin’s services (via Twitter).

Verner has previously drawn interest from the Vikings, Jets and Rams, and is apparently lukewarm of giving the Titans a hometown discount.

Widely regarded among the top free agent cornerbacks, Verner surely was pleased to see fellow FA corner Sam Shields sign a four-year contract with the Packers for $39MM earlier today. PFR’s Luke Adams ranked Verner as the No. 8 overall free agent and No. 2 corner behind Aqib Talib at No. 7. Shields ranks 12 spots behind Verner at No. 20. ProFootballFocus.com rated Verner as the No. 12 cornerback in football last season (subscription required).

More free agent rumors from around the league…

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press confirmed Wyatt’s report of the Lions having interest in Verner (via Twitter), though he can’t see it happening, citing safety as a bigger need.
Among the teams to inquire on safety Jairus Byrd today were the Rams, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter). Rapoport called the interest “unexpected and interesting.”
The Giants have expressed interest in former Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones, reports Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Wilson also reported that the Falcons are “extremely” interested in free agent offensive guard Jon Asamoah, who has played 59 games for the Chiefs the past four seasons, with 41 starts.

Packers, Sam Shields Reach Four-Year Deal

March 8th, 2014 at 6:57pm CST by Peter Sowards

6:57pm: Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com predicts a cap hit just north of $5.62MM in 2014 for Shields.

6:10pm: The deal calls for Shields to earn $15MM in 2014 and $30MM by 2016, wrote Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. The Packers had over $34MM in cap room before the this deal.

An undrafted free agent in 2010, the former Miami Hurricane has 13 interceptions in four seasons and set a career-high with 17 passes defended in 2013. Shields played last season on a one-year restricted free agent tender of $2.02MM.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the deal with the following tweet: “Congrats to RSR client Sam Shields & the Green Bay Packers on the new contract!”

6:07pm: Shields’ deal includes a $12.5MM signing bonus, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter).

6:00pm: The Packers have signed free-agent cornerback Sam Shields to a four-year contract, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio tweets that the deal is worth $39MM.

ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky confirmed the deal’s length and overall figure, but said he does not know the guarantees and structure yet.

Reports had pointed to Shields hitting the open market, though some Packers beat writers viewed the reports as a marketing ploy by agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Franchise Updates: Whitner, Houston, Byrd

March 3rd, 2014 at 1:58pm CST by Luke Adams

With today’s franchise deadline now less than five hours away, let’s round up a few of the latest news items and rumors on the franchise tag from around the NFL….

The 49ers won’t be designating safety Donte Whitner as their franchise player, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston isn’t expected to receive the team’s franchise tag, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Bills have yet to express anything to Jairus Byrd about the franchise tag, and it appears unlikely that the club will use it, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 also hears that the Bills won’t franchise Byrd (Twitter link).
The Packers don’t look likely to use the franchise tag on their own defensive back, says Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). A source tells Dougherty that the team has yet to mention the possibility to Sam Shields or his agent.

Earlier updates:

The Lions aren’t expected to use their franchise tag today, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew likely would have been the top candidate to be franchised.
The Seahawks won’t use their franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We also heard over the weekend that the team doesn’t intend to tag kicker Steven Hauschka, but Seattle is still trying to reach deals with both players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
The Titans won’t use their franchise tag on anyone this offseason, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Cornerback Alterraun Verner appeared to be the most viable Tennessee candidate for the tag, but it appears the club will either reach a multiyear agreement with Verner or let him hit the open market.
Paul Soliai‘s agent says the Dolphins have told his client he won’t be franchised, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). We heard last week that Miami was unlikely to re-sign Soliai, so the team may turn its attention to bringing back its other key free agent defensive lineman, Randy Starks.

NFC North Links: Packers, Bears, Lions

March 2nd, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Ben Levine

On this date in 2001, the Packers traded backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a first- and seventh-round pick to the Seahawks for a first- and third-round pick. The trade ultimately proved to be a win for Seattle, and it goes beyond the team acquiring an eventual three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. With the first-round pick they acquired, the Seahawks drafted guard Steve Hutchinson, who would play in three Pro Bowls for the team. Center Dennis Norman was drafted out of Princeton with the Seahawks’ seventh-round pick. Norman played about four seasons with Seattle before continuing his career with the Jaguars and Chargers.

The Packers acquired the tenth pick in the 2001 NFL Draft and selected defensive end Jamal Reynolds. Injuries resulted in Reynolds only playing in 18 career games, compiling 16 tackles and three sacks. With their third-rounder, Green Bay took linebacker Torrance Marshall, who served a back-up role with the team for four seasons.

Let’s take a look at some Packer and NFC North rumors…

The Packers are trying to re-sign Sam Shields for a contract worth less than $6MM a year, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Multiple reporters responded to the tweet, with Aaron Nagler of Bleacher Report suggesting that the cornerback will receive $8MM to $9MM (via Twitter).
Brandon Marshall with get a contract extension from the Bears, but he may not sign it this offseason unless it’s a cap-friendly deal, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Wright refers to Marshall’s previous comments that he wants to end his career in Chicago.
For Charles Tillman to return to the Bears, he’d have to take a discount, Wright also says. He believes that Tillman does not need to move to the safety position and can still be an above-average cornerback.
Cornerback is a position of need for the Lions and they could look to improve that position through free agency, says Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Rothstein suggests Rashean Mathis and Corey Graham as potential targets.

Sam Shields To Hit Open Market

March 1st, 2014 at 12:30pm CST by Matt Feminis

12:30pm: This morning’s news is a negotiating tactic by Shields’ agent Drew Rosenhaus, in the eyes of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writer Tom Silverstein, who weighed in on the situation. Silverstein considers the Packers’ $35MM in cap space and thinks the fact the two sides have been talking without settling on a deal indicates “a very different view of Shields’ worth.”

Prior to the scouting combine, it was believed Shields could take a deal similar to the one recently signed by Bears cornerback Tim Jennings, who inked a four-year, $22.4MM contract ($11.8MM guaranteed). Last season, Jennings tallied 57 tackles, 13 passes defended and four interceptions compared to 61-16-4 for Shields. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus rated Shields 42nd and Jennings 45th among cornerbacks who played at least 50 percent of snaps.

The Packers are probably willing to pay $6-$7MM per year, says Silverstein (via Twitter). In the same tweet, he says Rosenhaus’ conversations in Indianapolis revealed interest from other teams which “definitely affected Shields’ demands.”

Shields, who is taller, faster and younger than Jennings, stands to benefit from the cap going up, and Rosenhaus anticipates an active market for Shields even if the Packers don’t consider him an $11.83MM player. If they did, they would have locked him up accordingly or be willing to use the franchise tag. On Twitter, Silverstein reiterated there’s “no way” the Packers will do so.

11:03am: Earlier this week, it was believed the Packers and free agent cornerback Sam Shields were closing in on a new deal, but things have changed today. Shields will not re-sign with the team before March 8, according to Pro Football Talk. Instead, he’ll hit the open market, where the services of a young, fast, emerging cover man will be highly sought after.

Talks Between Shields, Packers Heating Up

February 24th, 2014 at 1:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Negotiations between the Packers and Sam Shields‘ agent on a new agreement for the free agent cornerback “heated up” over the weekend in Indianapolis, reports Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. According to Demovsky, Green Bay and agent Drew Rosenhaus met in the hopes of working out a deal for Shields prior to the free agent period of March 11.

While the two sides didn’t reach an agreement this weekend, they still have more than two weeks before free agency begins, and discussions are “ongoing,” says Demovsky. We first heard nearly a month ago that talks were underway between Shields’ camp and the Packers — at the time, a source told Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the odds of a deal were about 50/50, but it seems they may have improved at least a little since then.

Shields started all 14 games he played for the Packers in 2013, matching a career high with four interceptions. Although the 26-year-old ranked in the middle of the pack for cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), he placed 15th overall in 2012. Coming off a modest $2.023MM salary, he’ll be in line for a significant raise, with estimates this month ranging from about $7-9MM per year.

If the Packers can’t reach a long-term agreement with Shields, using the franchise tag on him is a possibility. However, that would eat up more than $11MM of the team’s 2014 cap space.

Packers Notes: Flynn, Jones, Finley, Cap

February 21st, 2014 at 10:15am CST by Luke Adams

Packers coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson have already addressed the media this morning in Indianapolis, so let’s round up some of the highlights from their respective sessions….

McCarthy indicated that a report suggesting Green Bay wants to get lighter on the defensive line isn’t necessarily accurate. McCarthy conceded that the defensive front may look a little different next season, but said he never wants his line to get smaller (Twitter links via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
Asked about a few pending free agents, McCarthy expressed interest in bringing back quarterback Matt Flynn, as well as pass-catchers James Jones and Jermichael Finley (Twitter links via Demovsky and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
Thompson deflected questions about his team’s biggest draft need and whether the Packers would use the franchise tag on cornerback Sam Shields (Twitter links via Dunne).
While some execs and experts have been lavish in their praise of this year’s draft class, Thompson was more restrained, telling reporters, including Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Twitter link), that it’s hard to evaluate draft classes in the moment. In Thompson’s view, it won’t be possible to know how strong or deep this year’s group is until several years down the road.
Much has been made of the Packers’ cap flexibility, but Thompson says the team tries not to approach the offseason focusing too heavily on cap space: “We don’t talk much about the cap. We try not to make decisions based on the cap. We try to make football decisions” (Twitter link via Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin).
Thompson added that there are always “surprises” during free agency, but that Green Bay is approaching the free agent period intent on keeping their own players (Twitter links via Dougherty).

Demovsky On The Packers

February 18th, 2014 at 6:47pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Packers and agent Drew Rosenhaus have engaged in open dialogue about free agent cornerback Sam Shields, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who participated in a chat with fans. Other tidbits:

Inside linebacker A.J. Hawk‘s 2013 season was his best yet, and Packers coaches value the veteran’s dependability, reliability and accountability despite his physical limitations. Brad Jones, however, must “play much better or they need to find a replacement,” says Demovsky.
Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy, the team’s first two 2012 draft picks, have both disappointed and it’s unknown if either fit the defensive scheme.
Demovsky spoke to a scout who believes Johnny Jolly could slide inside to nose tackle if he’s re-signed.
When asked about the team potentially locking up receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson long-term, Demovsky described Cobb as a “no-brainer,” but wondered if Nelson would “drive a harder bargain” because he took a below-market deal (four years, $12.6MM) in 2011 and his next deal will likely be his last big contract.
Demovsky does not envision the team splurging for a blockbuster free agent (i.e. a player requiring an $8MM-$10MM signing bonus), but sees a few “mid-level” signings as realistic.
“Chances are good” the team will draft a developmental quarterback in the mid to late rounds.

NFC Notes: Dimitroff, Shields, Orakpo, Eagles

February 15th, 2014 at 10:14am CST by Matt Feminis

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was put under the microscope by the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Dawson Devitt, who published the first part of an exhaustive retrospective analysis of the GM’s transaction history 2008-09, including free agency, cuts, trades, extensions and drafts. The verdict? More good than bad.

Other opinions from NFC writers:

Packers free agent cornerback Sam Shields‘ arrow is pointing up, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who says the 26-year-old is worth $7-8MM per year. Shields has blazing speed to run with outside burners and has improved leaps and bounds with his technique and tackling.
With Henry Melton, Jay Ratliff and Nate Collins set to hit free agency, defensive tackle “will have to be a top priority” for the Bears, according to ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright, who believes the team will add interior defenders in the draft, via free agency and still attempt to bring back its own free agents.
The Redskins can re-sign both Brian Orakpo and Perry Riley provided both players don’t ask for unreasonable deals, says ESPN Washington’s John Keim.
Thanks to second-year head coach Chip Kelly’s familiarity with college players, Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin believes the Eagles are in a window when they have a distinct draft advantage. Gosselin cites past examples of Jimmy Johnson‘s move from the University of Miami to the Cowboys, Jim Harbaugh‘s jump from Stanford to the 49ers and Pete Carroll’s escape from USC to the Seahawks when the coaches drafted players they were familiar with, creating the core of winning NFL teams. Kelly, who recruited nationally for Oregon, “spent four years with the Ducks so he has a four-year window when he’ll know the draft board better than the NFL lifers,” contends Gosselin.