Raising Zona
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Veteran free agent’s skills may attract Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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But at the same time the red flags on cornerback Sam Shields may prove to be too much for the Arizona Cardinals to take on

General manager Steve Keim is in a tough spot with the Arizona Cardinals. So many free agents, so little salary cap space to work with. It may be time for some one-year, “prove it” type contracts that Keim has had success with in the past.

One such free agent who may fit that mold is former Green Bay Packers’ cornerback Sam Shields.

The Cardinals are again in dire need of a number-two cover guy. The top corners on the market will most likely prove to be too expensive for Arizona’s budget. In other words, Keim needs to find the best solution he can for the least money possible.

Pro Football Talk’s two-time NFL Executive of the Year pulled off such an acquisition in 2014. The Cards were in the same exact spot back then, needing a cornerback to pair with Patrick Peterson. They struck gold with Antonio Cromartie on a one-year, $3 million dollar deal, and “Cro” finished the campaign being voted a Pro Bowl alternate.

Shields, like Cromartie in ’14, also sports an impressive resume. The former 2010 undrafted free agent won a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season with the Pack, and was a Pro Bowler in 2014. He has tallied 245 tackles, 66 pass breakups and 18 interceptions during his seven campaigns.

But Shields’ career has taken a turn for the worse. He suffered what is believed to be the fourth concussion of his NFL career last year in week one. He subsequently was placed on season-ending injured reserve in October after failing to recover.

Then last month, Shields was charged with two misdemeanors stemming from an incident last October. Due to a suspicious parcel sent to his home, Shields answered a knock on his door by investigators holding a “blunt”. During a search of the residence, several jars of a green plant believed to be marijuana were found.

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He has since been released by the only NFL franchise he has ever played for. It’s not known if he was given his walking papers due to the legal hassles or the lack of health.

Putting the negatives aside, and admittedly there are a lot, Shields could possibly have some good football left in him. And with all the baggage the 29-year old would bring with him, he and his agent certainly can’t expect more than a one-year, “prove it” contract. The kind of deal Keim has used to Arizona’s advantage in the past, as mentioned earlier.

Would Shields be worth taking a flier on? It would obviously have to be a non-guaranteed contract the team could get out of without any cap ramifications. The thought of a Peterson-Shields tandem shutting down the passing offenses of opponents is certainly intriguing.

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