Calm The Russell Shepard Hype
October 27th, 2016
Joe saw a media crowd around wide receiver Russell Shepard’s locker yesterday and Joe walked in the other direction with Tampa Bay’s Hall of Fame voter, JoeBucsFan.com columnist eye-RAH! Kaufman.
Russell Shepard?
Joe and eye-RAH! did some head shaking.
Sure, Shepard is a nice story. A 2013 waiver pickup by former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik, Shepard has morphed into an A-list special teams cover guy. Valuable dude.
But as a receiver, Joe is not buying any of the Shepard hype. After watching Shepard all of last year, Dirk Koetter wasn’t buying Shepard as a receiver, either. Koetter had said many times he just doesn’t view “Shep” as a guy worthy of extended opportunities in the passing game.
Then came Sunday, when Shepard had five catches, 77 yards and a touchdown, a career day against the 49ers. And then came the media onslaught. Oh, Shepard. He’s the guy. He’s the man of the hour. He’s a locker room super hero.
America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, got in on the chatter at his news conference yesterday. Jameis was calling Shepard a different kind of guy, a key cog in the team, a special and unique person to the core.
That’s all nice, but Joe is not all-in by any stretch. Shepard’s a nice piece of the puzzle, but that’s about it.
Last night on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Shepard talked about the challenge he had last year managing special teams duties and reps at receiver. He even blamed a hamstring issue last season on his inability to manage his time and stay hydrated. Seriously. … Shepard said he’s getting better at that now but it’s a work in progress.
Joe gets all kinds of Shepard love notes on Twitter and via other mediums. Joe’s been getting them for years.
Again, Shepard is a nice story, but Joe’s standards at receiver are much higher and it will take a hell of a lot for Shepard to convince Joe he’s the real deal as a wideout.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Shep is a dynamic runner after the catch, he’s quick enough to get open and fast enough to stretch the field, he’s one of our main emotional leaders, and all-around good guy.
I say give him a fair shot at the #2 WR spot and I think he impress us all.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Joe’s standards? LMAO! This from a guy who thought John Manziel was the second coming of Johnny Unitas.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
He’s always been a great athlete. He was a QB in college if I’m not mistaken, so he came into the league raw at his position. If he can put it together he can be a real weapon I think.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
You’d feel more comfortable with Murphy getting all the attention?
Shep has been solid and reliable for years. When he gets on the field he produces. No reason he shouldn’t get a chance over a Murphy or Dye for that matter.
He’s a great story of hard-work and determination paying off. Let’s support Shep he may shock a lot of youz.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Give me a productive game on Sunday and I’ll start to believe. So many fans tend to forget that you earn your playing time on the practice field. If he was shining at practice day in and day out, he would be playing more. I’m going to trust in the coaches more than us keyboard warriors.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Any other choices? Maybe Cecil……but, I can tell you this….Shep is much better than a wounded Vjax……we need some speed at WR & he provides some.
No hype….just solid production…..he is truly the “next man up”….
October 27th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Shep produced more than Cecil has.
October 27th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Seems to fit the profile as an outside WR better than our other options. Nice to see some throws hitting receivers on the move too. I hope he takes the opportunity and runs with it.
October 27th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Shep had a great game. Lets wait and see if he can put up a string of games like the one he had before anointing him the heir apparent. I like what I see so far.
October 27th, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Nobody else is stepping up.Shep has gotten us key plays in the past.When Hump has gone deep Jameis has not been able to connect with him.There is a chemistry between Shep and Jameis so why not explore it.
October 27th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
@joe…that crazy….stop hating…the man has had limited opportunities to show what he can do….when given the chance he has been productive….if Humphries was on any other team he would be on the practice squad…GO BUCS!!!!
October 27th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
He kinda looks like Dave chappelle 10 years ago.
October 27th, 2016 at 3:34 pm
If irah had shook his head up and down Joe would be here today telling us Shep will be in the probowl soon. gotta think for yourself Joe
October 27th, 2016 at 3:36 pm
The guy is an elite athlete, was one of the highest rated recruits in his high school class. Went to LSU and was completely misused. Upon arriving in Tampa he had a lot of cleaning up to do on his technique and fundamentals (See other LSU receivers who broke out in the league after subpar college careers.) But the guy is dynamite and I think will be an excellent #3 for us at the least. Much more upside than any other slot we have.
October 27th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
5 catches for 77 yards x 16 = 80 catches for over 1200 yards…..hmm
October 27th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
“5 catches for 77 yards x 16 = 80 catches for over 1200 yards…..hmm”
——–
And the award for dumbest post of the day goes to……….
October 27th, 2016 at 4:10 pm
Doesn’t Shep’s play and value remind you of Karl “The Truth” Williams? If so, I’m glad he’s on our team. Not a superstar but a valuable role player that’s reliable.
October 27th, 2016 at 4:37 pm
But Joe was going crazy for that preseason All-American WR from Nebraska this summer.
Yes, Joe loudly proclaimed the Kenny Bell Mob was ludicrous. –Joe
October 27th, 2016 at 4:44 pm
LOL!…Clueless
October 27th, 2016 at 4:45 pm
The problem with Bucs culture is low standards and expectations. Bucs GMs, coaches, players, media and fans get excited over mediocre performances.
October 27th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Joe, Sheppard is the guy for the Bucs as of right now, don’t act we have the wee receiver depth of the Pittsburgh Steerlers. Clemson Walk in Adam Humpries is our #3.
October 27th, 2016 at 4:53 pm
We need another no 1 or no 2 outside threat. Humph, Shep, these guys are great to have as options, but theyre not dominant. Trading the bears for Alshon Jeffery would be nice. Give em Glennon and a 6th rnd pick
October 27th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Goes to….Brandon bob…congrats man lol
October 27th, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Russell Shepard is a dud, just like most of our WRs. Not as big a dud as Cecil Shorts, but still a dud. Let’s say this:
He’s among the best of our dud WRs.
October 27th, 2016 at 5:19 pm
That said…I say we stick with what we’ve got at the moment, unless Licht rotates undrafted rookies in hoping to strike gold.
October 27th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Hawaiian is a cranky fart. My God, you start crap with everyone . I understand me and 55 because of our attacks on you guy. But yeesh, give Bob a break
October 27th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
The Joes are just scared of the inevitable End-a-Russell , another version of the benndaround.
October 27th, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Can’t we just be happy the guy had a nice game and pray he does it again?
October 27th, 2016 at 5:37 pm
Lol Pete.
October 27th, 2016 at 5:42 pm
By higher standards you mean Humphries’ 30 ypg and 0 tds?
October 27th, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Of course one game does not a star make. But for those who have watched football for a long time, that game suggests Shep could be really, really good as a WR. Why? Because he caught the ball with soft hands, especially the TD grab. Here’s to hoping he makes it!
October 27th, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Hey Sheppard stepped in to fill in as #2 and made about as big an impact that could of been expected. Why shouldn’t we expect him to get more looks as a wideout?………..Nobody except Evans has done much of anything in the receiving game. If they relegate the guy back to special teams they are being foolish because Humphries is awful and vjax has been largely inneffictive……..Until somebody else steps up Shep should get the looks
October 27th, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Russell Shepherd reminds me a lot of another Bucs WR who, while not a star was a highly productive player with a willing attitude, a forgotten guy who would step in and make big plays: Karl Williams. I can’t recall how often he was supposed to be cut, niot good enough to be a regular WR. All he did was step up when asked.
A healthy Shep > than a wounded VJax.
What has Shepherd not done that has been asked of him?
October 27th, 2016 at 6:28 pm
Why bash a guy who stepped up when needed? Give him his moment and hope it continues
October 27th, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Gus Bradley/Jags needs another CB. Offer CB Johnthan Banks and a 7th round pick for WR Reshad Greene. Gus is a dead man walking – he can only say no! Go for it!
October 27th, 2016 at 6:50 pm
That’s the freaking problem with our team, we would rather pay washed up guys a ton of freaking money just because of the $#!t they did in other organizations. But we won’t give a young guy on our current roster who make pennies more touches to see if he will develop into something special. We can’t get out of our own way and wonder why. Let me guess…let’s pay Rodey White 10 million a year to come in and prove he’s washed up!!! But he’s been to pro bowls….not with us he hasn’t. ….it’s a reason guys are let go when smart teams see that the tread on the tires are starting to go bald. Let’s some of the young guy go out and prove it. Mike Evans is out #1 guy but he has far more drops that Shep….huuuum. think about that. At least when his number is called he shows up. And thats not a knock on ME13 but come on man how are you ever gonna find that diamond in the rough if you don’t start digging. Shep caught absolute darts that were throw at him from JW3 and didnt drop one….Give the guy a chance
October 27th, 2016 at 7:02 pm
If Shepherd is the next man up!……..then we’d better be ready to roll!! 10 more games to play with 6 more games to win to show improvement over the last REGIME!! Go Bucs!
October 27th, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Im thinking our koetter the clown is going to give him very limited snaps. Less than even last week of 20.
Why? Because he is a stubborn moron. Just like continuously running sims into the middle with minus yards, koetter is going to target cecil and others more. Doesnt makes sense, but we will find out ….there s something about dirk
I have been deadon with this guy.
Shepard is going to be less targeted this week
October 27th, 2016 at 7:12 pm
Kobe Faker Says:
. . . nothing worhtwhile
October 27th, 2016 at 7:25 pm
@Buccaneer scotty … “Can’t we just be happy the guy had a nice game and pray he does it again?” My sentiments exactly Scotty. And when you get a second, beam Joe up Scotty, he’s going negative on us because Shep’s still on the team and Kenny Bell isn’t. Might want to beam up a few others too while you’re at it.
October 27th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
The difference between Shepard before and Shepard now is that he is attacking the ball as a wr at the best point. He was raw as a wr and I credit this change in his game to Monken
October 27th, 2016 at 7:42 pm
Shepard was a 5-star high school athlete who went to LSU that had zero offensive development.
He wants it so bad he is an ace special teams grunt.
He wants it. He wants it.
I seriously believe if he wants it bad enough and he is a great athlete he could be it. Especially if Jameis is a franchise QB.
October 27th, 2016 at 7:55 pm
I think shep is 5x better than 2016 old vjax. Shep is the x factor to take us to the playoffs. Shep as the wr2 will open the whole offense up and be be prolific as never before since jameis arrival…but
Koetter some strange confusing way doesnt think so
Shep wont be a major part of the gameplan or targeted
Theres someting about koetter
October 27th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Joe and other folks can’t forget what is needed at WR now. You need a good route runner, a good team mate, and a leader. Mike Evans is the stud. Right now, Shep is the best bet to fill the void left by what Vjax did most for the team…lead by example. So chill.
October 27th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
I’d like to see a trade before the deadline.
October 27th, 2016 at 8:23 pm
Hum is coming along nicely also…IMO….he also has the speed to kill a defense with the screen pass. Let some of these young guys develop and stop letting them walk only to get Superbowls with other teams.
Go Bucs!!!
October 27th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
The great GM Licht has failed this team time after time from not drafting WRs nor NFL safeties, but we got an all american kicker and ONE legit NFL WR….
October 27th, 2016 at 9:19 pm
@Chris,
Do you think it’s intelligent to base an entire season off of one game? Is that seriously something you would ever type? Didn’t think so.
October 27th, 2016 at 9:20 pm
Let’s put this in context. Joe’s high standards at qb 2 years ago was Johnny Manziel. Not sure Joe’s should be setting standards
October 27th, 2016 at 9:36 pm
@Bucnut2,
There were a lot of people high (no pun intended) on Johnny Manziel. I don’t think anyone knew how crazy he was off the field. GM’s make mistakes on QB’s every single year, so to claim someone doesn’t know what he’s talking about based on being wrong on one guy is pretty silly. I’m assuming you have never been wrong about a draft pick before?
October 27th, 2016 at 10:03 pm
Johnny Foosball’s Dad BEFORE the draft…“I don’t know where the anger comes from,” Paul said. “I don’t think he knows. If it comes from his drinking, or if he’s mad at himself fr not being a better person when he fails, when he fails God and his mom and me. If it makes him angry that he’s got demons in him. You can only speculate because you can’t go in there.”
Yes, you’d be a damn FOOL to draft this guy.
Shep seems like a great guy. Hope he does well and proves the fantasy GMS wrong.
October 27th, 2016 at 10:15 pm
Yeah Turd, and if the Browns didn’t listen to the Hobo, he would have fell out of the first round, so obviously 31 GMs weren’t that high on him
October 27th, 2016 at 10:19 pm
What is good about Shepard is he seems to get separation from DB’s in the passing game. That is very valuable when you’re talking about a team that has pass blocking troubles at times.
October 27th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
GM jon robinson of tenn former player personnel of tampa bay will win and build a superbowl
Tenn has 2 #1s and 2#2s and a 3rd in next years draft
“I miss jon and wish he was our GM” darcie glazer
“Me too” bryan glazer
“Me three” avi glazer
“Me four” joel glazer
October 28th, 2016 at 12:04 am
Great QBs make average WR’s look Great. Be happy folks!!!!
October 28th, 2016 at 5:33 am
I’m not a bucs fan by any means. But when I see a game where I’m asking who this guy is because his play on the field I take note. This is what happened last Sunday with Shepard. The guy looks like an absolute stud to me. I think Shepard’s skill set is unquestionable based on his track record as a coveted amateur. I will tell you this I will purposely be watching the bucs game this weekend just to see Shepard but up 162 yds and 2 TDs against an absent Raiders defense.