Monday ProCanes Report: Shields Comes Up Big
The Monday Morning #ProCanes report will weed through all the NFL highlights and news to bring you the information you care about the most… what the former University of Miami Hurricanes did during the week prior. Veteran #ProCanes made their usual impact across the board Sunday, including standout performances from Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (five catches, 88 yards), Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (64 yards, one touchdown) and Packers cornerback Sam Shields (five tackles, one interception). But the biggest #ProCanes storyline Sunday was the professional debut of offensive lineman Harland Gunn, who saw significant playing time in his first regular-season game as a Falcon – one that resulted in a 27-26 Atlanta victory.
Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers) – five catches, 88 yards
Tight end Greg Olsen might only be in his third season with the Panthers, but it hasn’t taken long for the #ProCane to climb the Carolina record books. Olsen built on his legacy Sunday, hauling in five passes from quarterback Cam Newton to capture the top two single-season tight end reception totals in franchise history. Olsen, who hauled in a career-high 69 receptions in 2012 to set the franchise record for catches at the position, has 63 receptions this season for upstart Carolina. With two games remaining, Olsen has a chance to best last season’s yardage total (843) for a new personal record – he currently ranks sixth among tight ends with 739 yards.
Video Highlights: 27-Yard Reception
Santana Moss (Washington Redskins) – eight catches, 64 yards, one touchdown
Six active NFL receivers have 10,000 yards or more to their name, and three of those are #ProCanes. Despite the quarterback controversy in Washington, one of those #ProCanes – Redskins veteran Santana Moss – enjoyed another fine day in his team’s disappointing defeat to Atlanta. Moss caught a season-high eight passes from Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, including a touchdown in the final minute to bring Washington within a two-point conversion of winning. The touchdown was the second of his season and 66th career for Moss, who is in his 13th year and ninth with Washington. Moss ranks third in receiving yards (7,299) and third in receptions (639) in franchise history.
Video Highlights: Late Touchdown
Sam Shields (Green Bay Packers) – five tackles, one interception
There’s a good chance Green Bay’s remarkable comeback win over Dallas might never have happened without another big time play from a #ProCanes defensive back late in the game. Packers cornerback Sam Shields, who played wide receiver for three of his seasons as a Hurricane, made a tremendous play to steal a Tony Romo pass intended for Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin with 2:50 remaining on the game clock. The impressive display of athleticism served as a catalyst for what proved to be Green Bay’s game-winning drive. The pick was the third of the season and 12th career for Shields, who ranks sixth on the Packers with a career-high total of 56 tackles in 2013.
Video Highlights: Fourth Quarter INT
TheUFootball.com #ProCanes Interview: Sam Shields
(interview conducted by Max Strauss)
HurricaneSports.com: What does #NFLU mean to you?
Sam Shields: “It’s all about the reputation that we have since The U has been recognized as The U. We have had a lot of guys that have made it to the NFL. We try to keep that going, and it’s basically a big family where we go. It’s all love anytime we see each other, no matter the team, I get happy.”
HS.com: You’re the only Miami Hurricane in the Green Bay Packers locker room, what’s that mean to you that you represent ‘The U’ in such a legendary football atmosphere?
SS: “It means a lot. Just here in Green Bay, it’s me here. With our reputation, I’m trying to take over that part and just keep it going, staying injury-free. I’m trying to go out here and make plays and try to keep the rep for The U.”
HS.com: How do you think being a Miami Hurricane has prepared you for life in the NFL?
SS: “It prepared me a lot. Not only on the field, but off of the field, there were a lot of situations that I had been through at The U from not playing to switching positions, and dealing with all of the adversity. I also had different coaches, and just things like that, helped me out a lot.”
