Russell Shepard Had The Faith
October 12th, 2016
Believed in game-winner.
When Bucs kicker Roberto Aguayo lined up for the potential game-winning kick near the end of regulation of the Bucs-Stinking Panthers game Monday night, Joe is confident that not one Bucs fan was confident.
Beer bottles were held tightly. Breaths were held. Palms were pressed to faces. Fingernails chewed upon. Joe is certain some Bucs fans went to the bathroom convinced Aguayo, who had missed two makeable field goals already in the game, would miss again and send the game into overtime.
Shoot, even Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, who sent Aguayo out on the field to kick the damn ball, wasn’t convinced, so he explained to dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8.
Who was confident? Russell Shepard, that’s who.
“I am debating whether I should take [the headset] off,” Koetter told Lucas of the final play. “Is this the last play or not?”
Koetter then said that he handed the headset unit to a Bucs staffer in charge of Koetter’s headset and said, “I might need that back.” But then Shepard intervened.
“Russell Shepard put his arm around me and said, ‘Don’t worry Coach. He’s going to make it.'”
And Aguayo did.
As far as Bucs fans wanting to run Aguayo out of town, Koetter said Monday night Aguayo made the kick he needed to make under tremendous pressure and a “ferocious” rush by the Stinking Panthers. As far as his job security, Koetter said, “There is no backup kicker.”
You can watch the full interview below.
October 12th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Russell Shepard is a very good player……perhaps our best ST player and I would like to see him get more snaps at WR.
October 12th, 2016 at 10:45 am
I hope the Glazers give Koetter and Licht several years to get this right, even if we don’t win another game this Season. I think they are winning combo and the right leaders for this organization. Don’t pull the plug again, tired of having to start over every two years.
October 12th, 2016 at 10:50 am
After the first miss I was ready to shoot Roberto but after the second miss, shooting was to painless and I wanted him to suffer long and hard, but on the game winner I did a strategic “knock on wood” and was totally confident in him. My knock on wood was all about perfect timing and I single handedly won this game for my Bucs and saved Roberto’s career. You’re welcome!
October 12th, 2016 at 10:58 am
DWE…excellent take. lol
October 12th, 2016 at 11:00 am
We are a work-in-progress fellow bucs fans. I too drank the Kool aid. But realistically, look at the Raiders – they are a promising young team like the bucs. McKenzie has done a good job at building the roster over many years. The Bucs finished the season last year with 4 straight loses. We are not magically going from 6-10 to the NFC South champion overnight; it is a process. We also had a very tough beginning schedule.
Now that that is behind us, look for a gradual, some ups and some downs, strong finish to the season. The foundation is in place – franchise QB, star WR, etc. Licht can add the needed DE, WR and S via next years draft.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:03 am
@DWE,
I felt that, thank you DWE. And also thank you for also keeping me out of jail for justifiable homicide of a bad kicker
October 12th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Gruden actually put it into good perspective…
He talked about SeaBass missing many kicks during the first half of his rookie season, and how frustrating it was. Then he got it together… let’s hope we witness the same!
October 13th, 2016 at 7:39 pm
Thanks DWE!