Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields, a fixture in the nickel much of last season, was demoted to start training camp. Jarrett Bush took his place with the starters in the base defense and Charles Woodson was moved to safety.
When the Packers switched to nickel, M.D. Jennings came in at safety and Woodson shifted to the slot.
These guys aren’t all that Shields has to worry about though.
Second-year player Davon House, who’s made considerable strides during the offseason, has replaced Shields in the dime occasionally during the early practices of camp. Additionally, rookie second-rounder Casey Hayward has been impressive, showing he’s fundamentally sound and can also make plays.
Although Shields has phenomenal speed, he gambles too often and needs to improve his tackling. As we’ve detailed before, if he doesn’t do that this preseason his biggest worry might be not be getting back into the nickel, but making the team.
I like the competition within the defensive backfield during the OTA’s. Should have very good depth on the DB’s this TC.
Sounds like Hayward has been the best of the bunch with some writers thinking he could possibly start. Someone HAS to beat out Bush. They keep claiming all kinds of improvement with this clown but i don’t buy it. I have too many broken remotes due to his inability to cover. Keep him on special teams with Shields.
And House has had a good TC as well. If he continues to make plays and progress we will see him on the field in some packages.