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Versatility is the key for Ram pair
By JAMAL THALJI
© St. Petersburg Times, NEW PORT RICHEY -- Bobby Shields started the season at guard and linebacker. Then he moved to defensive end. Now he's an offensive tackle and nose guard. Rod Boutin started the season at halfback and strong safety. Then he moved to free safety and played some wingback. Then fullback. Then linebacker. Now, he plays tight end too. Two players, 12 positions. Shields and Boutin are two -- or rather, 12 -- reasons why a Ridgewood team of just 19 players has survived a host of injuries and hopes to finish a hard-luck 2001 season with more than just one win. "Those two ballplayers," Rams coach Wayne Parzik said, "are super individuals and super kids." Shields, who has 24 tackles, 8 assists and 2 1/2 sacks this season, said it doesn't matter to him what position he plays as long as the 6-foot, 205-pound senior is in the game. "It's not that big a deal to me, I can do it pretty easily," Shields said of all the positions he has played . "It doesn't matter to me, as long as I play." Boutin, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior, has 39 tackles and 23 assists. He said if there is a positive aspect to all of the injuries the team has suffered, it's that teammates who have stuck it out have come together. "We're tight as a unit," Boutin said. "We've had a lot of injuries, which hurt us, but it brings us together big time." Parzik can't say enough about either of them. "They're dedicated, and most importantly, more important than anything else, they're 100 percent team," the coach said. "Some kids would balk about moving around (positions). ... But these kids are totally, 100 percent team. They're selfless and unassuming." Shields is the quieter of the pair. "You hardly get a word out of him," Parzik said. "You have to get in his face to get a response. He's a good student and an all-around player. If we lost Bobby Shields, we'd be in trouble." Boutin's versatility has helped bolster an injury-ravaged offense. "He's played every single position in the backfield," Parzik said. "He started at linebacker, and turns around and starts on offense. If we need a position to back up, wingback, halfback, fullback, he can play all three. "Because we're low on tight ends, now he's playing tight end." Shields doesn't think about statistics or playing minutes. To him, the game is measured by moments. "It's the intensity," Shields said. "I think I like being around the players, yeah, and being in the backfield and making a tackle in the backfield or a sack."
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