Three years ago was Shields' first in the league without Charles Woodson around. Then last year suddenly Tramon Williams wasn't here, either, and the Packers brought in three rookie corners – first- and second-round picks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, plus undrafted LaDarius Gunter – who needed some guidance.

The duty didn't change Shields' reserved personality much. He said he talks a little more than he used to, and he'll pull one of the young guys off to the side on the practice field on occasion to go over something.

But mostly, Shields just does his thing, knowing a lot of young eyes are on him.

"Oh yeah, most definitely," he said. "They watch. They know how to learn and know how to listen, and players like that, they get themselves better."



Shields credits the young trio for "knowing what they're doing" in Year 2. They understand the scheme and are learning not just their assignment but that of others on defense, too.

He said they don't have to ask him a lot of questions, which is further validation that his way of leading works. Before he left after the 2012 season, Woodson told Shields he'd be the group's leader someday, and while it would require some adjusting, the role didn't have to transform him.

"I'm not a talkative person, and he knew that," Shields said of Woodson. "So he was like, 'Just let your play speak for itself. You don't have to be too loud. You can just let your play speak and everybody will feed off of it.'"