Extensive receiver Sterling Shepard is the most recent addition to the group, having signed with the Bucs final week. Shepard is thrilled to be reunited with quarterback Baker Mayfield, however by way of getting used to the group – and the Florida climate within the summertime – there’ll nonetheless be an adjustment interval for him.
That’s the reason, after chatting with the native media for the primary time on Tuesday, Shepard is grateful to have one other probability and believes that plenty of issues got here collectively on the proper time for him.
How Did Sterling Shepard’s First Follow Go? “It Was Sizzling”
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
One of many largest elements of acclimating to the Bucs is studying how to soak up the Florida warmth. There was some respite from it on Tuesday, however apart from simply the new temperatures, Sterling Shepard additionally spoke about how he’s nonetheless getting his ft moist studying a brand-new offense.
“It was sizzling,” Shepard mentioned on how his first Bucs apply went. “It was actually sizzling nevertheless it was good. I’m simply attempting to get a grasp of the offense, attempting to get on the market and assist the group in any means I can. It was a very good first day, my head was spinning just a little bit with all the brand new performs. It’s quite a bit completely different than plenty of the offenses that I’ve been in.”
Shepard comes into city as a seasoned veteran after spending the previous eight seasons with the Giants. After being a second-round again in 2016, the primary half of his NFL profession was largely productive.
Whereas by no means a 1,000-yard receiver, he settled in properly for a few seasons because the second possibility behind Odell Beckham Jr. After Beckham obtained traded to the Browns, he then took on the duty of being a featured possibility, nevertheless it was not lengthy after that the harm bug started to chew. He performed a full season in 2018 and had 66 receptions for 872 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns after which led the Giants in receptions in 2019. Since then although, Shepard has not had an injury-free yr, with accidents limiting him to only 25 video games with a extra diminished position on offense.
Because the 31-year-old receiver seems to write down a brand new chapter in Tampa Bay, he’s additionally trying to flip again the clock to the manufacturing he had with Baker Mayfield throughout their days at Oklahoma.
Sterling Shepard Shares How Baker Mayfield Recruited Him To The Bucs
Sterling Shepard and Baker Mayfield solely performed one season along with the Sooners again in 2015, nevertheless it’s secure to say that they made probably the most of it. The Mayfield-Shepard pairing that yr led to the receiver hauling in 86 passes for 1,288 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Whereas that was practically a decade in the past, the chemistry they constructed then has led to him getting a possibility now.
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: USA Right now
Shepard detailed on Tuesday the textual content alternate that he lately had with Mayfield, which led to his agent reaching out to the Bucs to land a exercise.
“I used to be at dwelling on the sofa doing what I used to be doing for the previous month and a half, two months,” Shepard mentioned of what he was doing earlier than signing. “Took the youngsters to highschool and the whole lot. Truly did a heavy elevate that morning and noticed Baker texted me. I put my telephone down, continued my exercise, after which I hit him up later that day and he was asking me how I used to be feeling. I used to be like, ‘Man, I really feel actually good, my physique feels good.’
“He was like, ‘Man, see in case your agent offers them a name and see what they see.’ Certain sufficient, my agent referred to as them, and about 5 minutes later they had been like, ‘Are you able to fly in tomorrow for a exercise?’ I used to be like, ‘Agh, I haven’t been working any routes however yeah, I’ll go on the market.’ Acquired on the market and once I strapped on the cleats all of it turned on for me. I’m simply blessed to be right here, blessed for the chance.”
Shepard has constructed a long-lasting friendship with Mayfield, so it’s truthful to say that he is aware of him in addition to another participant. That’s the reason when he spoke about what it was like taking part in with the Heisman-winning quarterback again within the day he echoed plenty of issues Bucs gamers say about him now.
“Tremendous enjoyable,” Shepard mentioned about being reunited with Mayfield. “I cherished taking part in with him in faculty. He’s a man that has plenty of vitality and vitality that you possibly can feed off of. He desires to win video games, he’s the final word competitor, and he at all times performs with that chip on his shoulder. That’s one factor I’ve at all times seen about Baker. It doesn’t matter what you say about him, he’s going to maintain on pushing and doing him. I’m simply blessed to be right here and blessed to be again with my boy.”
