Large 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 loads of issues got here collectively on the proper time for him.
How Did Sterling Shepard’s First Apply Go? “It Was Sizzling”
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
One of many greatest components of acclimating to the Bucs is studying how to absorb the Florida warmth. There was some respite from it on Tuesday, however in addition to simply the recent temperatures, Sterling Shepard additionally spoke about how he’s nonetheless getting his toes 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 making an attempt to get a grasp of the offense, making an attempt to get on the market and assist the group in any means I can. It was a superb first day, my head was spinning a bit of bit with all the brand new performs. It’s quite a bit completely different than loads 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 acquired 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 chunk. 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 simply 25 video games with a extra diminished function on offense.
Because the 31-year-old receiver appears to be like to write down a brand new chapter in Tampa Bay, he’s additionally seeking 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 essentially 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 almost a decade in the past, the chemistry they constructed then has led to him getting a chance now.
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: USA At this time
Shepard detailed on Tuesday the textual content trade that he just lately had with Mayfield, which led to his agent reaching out to the Bucs to land a exercise.
“I used to be at residence 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 children to highschool and every part. Really did a heavy carry 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.’ Bought on the market and after 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 honest to say that he is aware of him in addition to every other 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 loads of issues Bucs gamers say about him now.
“Tremendous enjoyable,” Shepard mentioned about being reunited with Mayfield. “I beloved taking part in with him in school. He’s a man that has loads of vitality and vitality that you possibly can feed off of. He desires to win video games, he’s the last word competitor, and he all the time performs with that chip on his shoulder. That’s one factor I’ve all the time 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.”
