Is Shields for Real?

ESPN sure seems to think so.

And I have to agree. A lot of people had (for some reason) high expectations for Shields coming into the season, even as an undrafted rookie free-agent who'd only played one season at CB. Most of us were expecting Shields to contribute as a speedy return specialist. Well, he didn't pan out in that department, but what the Packers get out of him was much more important: a lock down slot defender.

We all knew that Shields has blazing speed, but what impressed me most this year was his fluidity in coverage and his sensational ball skills. He played WR before CB and it showed, as he was a natural at going after the rock, an ability that so many corners seem to lack. He got burned a few times, as most rookies do, but he was certainly a big part of the Packers' success defending the pass. One thing's for sure: Whenever Charles Woodson decides to hang it up, the Packers are looking pretty good with the likes of Tramon Williams and Shields on the edges.

Friday's Final Thoughts: The first depth chart is here! And we're not dead yet

"The flame that burns brightest, burns shortest. And just like that, you're gone."

I saw that, C. Liedl. But fear not! We aren't going away just yet. Family Night was last Saturday and the Packers have released their first depth chart of the season. So study up and read on! This one's for you!

Rookie TE Andrew Quarless is facing an uphill battle. The 5th round pick out of Penn State has struggled to convince the coaching staff to keep him around. His hands have been shaky at best, and that's not going to cut it if Quarless wants to be a part of this TE corps. He dropped an easy TD at Family Night. He is the 5th TE on the depth chart behind Tom Crabtree. I don't even know who that is. I must also say I did have my doubts about Donald Lee making the team, but I'm glad to see that he's the #2 TE. Havner also seems pretty safe. McCarthy says he plans on using him at linebacker during camp, on top of his TE and special teams duties. You can't get rid of one guy who can do three jobs. And while we're on the subject of tight ends, we might as well watch some highlights of the BEST TE in the league:



Bulaga has the left side of the O-line backed up. Or is he fighting for the LG spot? The Packers have been working their first round pick hard, switching him back and forth from LT to LG. He's even gotten reps at LG with the first string offense. Should Colledge be worried? Yes. This is definitely something to watch during preseason.

Justin Harrell is still healthy. I'm afraid to even write it. But so far, so good. I'd like to see him make the team and contribute, mostly just out of curiosity for what he can bring to the table. I hope he has a chance this year to shake the total bust label. Or at least confirm it by his play on the field...

Allen Barbre is toast. He's only listed as the 3rd LG on the depth chart. He's been awful when he's played. I think Ray Edwards made a career out of playing against him. Thankfully, the offensive line is too deep for him to see the field, or even make the team this year.

The Packers CANNOT cut Sam Shields. Did you see that 98 yard pick six at the Family Night scrimmage he had? I thought Charles Woodson was out there for a second. His play on the field has certainly made him a tough cut. Josh Bell being put on IR also helps Shields' chances. Shields should also get more opportunities on special teams while the coaches continue to play it safe with Will Blackmon's knee. I really hope the Packers find room for Shields on the final roster. He could be special. Just watch:



Quinn Johnson might be in trouble. There's no doubt he can block. But that's about all Quinn Johnson is good at. He dropped a pass put right on his hands during the scrimmage this week. Johnson's unsure hands may be his downfall. Hall and Kuhn are much better receivers out of the backfield and are both more well rounded, reliable football players. There's a lot of talent on this team right now, and Johnson could be deemed expendable if guys like Sam Shields keep stepping up.

Is this Brandon Jackson's year? This guy can do everything. Jackson is a decent runner, but he really earns his paycheck as an extra blocker/receiver on third downs. I think he'll contribute a little more than that this year. Jackson looks like he's in great shape. Last year he looked a little thick, like he was too ripped. Bobspop agrees that Jackson looks slimmer and quicker. And he sure raised some eyebrows at Family Night when he took a kickoff to the house. I realize that the coverage team and blockers were going half speed, but no one even came close to "touching him up" as Jackson burst through the hole en route to the endzone. He's listed as the back up to Blackmon on kick return duties but I have a feeling we'll be seeing Jackson fielding plenty of kicks this season.

CCQ #5: Who takes advantage of Harris' absence?

This is the eighth installment of our Camp Countdown Questions series. Each day leading up to July 31st, we'll be posing a crucial question the Pack need to answer in training camp.

Al Harris is a warrior. Everything about #31 is a testament to this, from his aggressive, attacking style of play to the seamless collage of tattoos that covers his body. His compelling journey through the ranks of professional football, from D-II prospect to nickel back to All-Pro, is proof of his resiliency and determination, as is the fact that he not only survived an exploded spleen, but was back on the field in a matter of weeks. It's not an exaggeration to say that Al Harris is one of the baddest mutha f#*&ers in the world, right after this guy (warning: adult language).

But unfortunately, it doesn't look like Al will be fully recovered from an obliterated knee in time for the beginning of the season. Despite his best efforts, it's most likely that Harris will end up on the PUP list (physically unable to perform), which will prevent him from participating in the Packers' first 6 games. One of the biggest concerns of the Packers this training camp is finding a corner back competent enough to fill the vacancy left by Harris.

Will the next Desmond Howard please stand up

The Packers of the mid-90's had a number of traits that made them a special bunch. One of them, as I discussed a few days ago, was their ability to play with an edge at Lambeau. This not only made them successful in the regular season, but it also allowed them to ride home-field advantage throughout the playoffs to two Super Bowl appearances.

Another asset was the presence of a bonafide home-run threat lining up to receive kickoffs and punts. I am, of course, talking about Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard.

Desmond only played one full season with the Packers, but his impact was felt in a big way. During the 1996 regular season, he returned 58 punts, with a ridiculous average of 15.1 yards per return. The 875 punt return yards he accrued that year still constitute the NFL's single season record, with a nice, nearly-200 yard cushion.

But with Desmond, it wasn't really about the numbers. He was truly a game-changer. Coupling his ability to shorten the field with Packers already potent offense allowed the team to score points in bunches; it's no coincidence that in '96 the Packers scored 456 points, which stood as the all-time franchise record until it was broken this past year. Of course, his field-position changing ability was only even a factor if he didn't bring the punt all the way back for a touchdown, which he did three times in the '96 regular season.

Desmond's real value was displayed in the 1996 NFL play-offs. In the Mud Bowl, he helped the Packers jump to a 14-0 lead over the 49ers after running only three offensive plays.The first time Howard touched the ball, he turned it into points, returning a punt 71 yards for a six. A few minutes later, he returned a punt 46 yards, setting up an easy, 4-yard Brett Favre to Andre Rison TD pass. From that point on, the game was never in any real jeopardy. The Packers coasted to a 35-14 victory, despite racking up 135 less yards on offense than their season average.

The crown jewel in Desmond's brief career with the Packers was his performance in Super Bowl XXXI (and no, I'm not talking about his performance of "The Robot")With the Patriots beginning to mount a comeback in the second half, Howard delivered a death blow, returning a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. New England failed to respond, and the Packers won their first Super Bowl since 1968. On that night, Howard essentially rewrote the punt and kickoff return section of the Super Bowl record book with 90 yards on punt returns, 154 on kick returns, and 244 total return yards. He rightfully won the MVP award, the only special teams player ever to do so.

Since those days, the Packers have lacked someone special returning kicks and punts, with the exception of Roell Preston in 1998 and Allen Rossum in 2000. But after those two names, things go down hill. In fact, the Packers have not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2000, when the feat was last accomplished by Rossum. That's right: for nine straight seasons, the Packers have not taken a kick back to the house.

The Packers have fared better in terms of punt returning, but don't factor in last year's performance in that statement. In 2009, Jordy Nelson, the Packers' primary return man, had a putrid average of 5.3 yards per return. Out of players around the league who had returned 10 or more punts he ranked 36th. Needless to say, the Packers have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the return game.

The big question is, do the Packers have the pieces in place to make this adjustment? Do they have the next Desmond Howard on the roster? Let's take a look.