Sterling Shepard Set For His Bucs Debut
September 21st, 2024
With undrafted rookie receiver Kameron Johnson banged up, the Bucs have called up Baker Mayfield’s good buddy and former college teammates Sterling Shepard from the practice squad.
The veteran receiver made plays in training camp until the injury bug hit him and he couldn’t get on the field in preseason.
Shepard made it clear when he signed that he only continued his NFL career because he could play in Tampa with Mayfield, so it seemed the Bucs weren’t concerned about cutting Shepard after training camp and re-signing him to the practie squad.
That’s exactly what happened. And the 31-year-old with 372 career catches is now officially on the 53-man roster — at least for tomorrow.
Don’t count on Shepard being part of the game plan tomorrow against the sad and sorry Broncos. After all, Johnson, the guy he’s replacing, has yet to have a ball thrown his way.
However, Joe easily can see the Bucs jumping out to a lead against downtrodden Denver and getting more reps for their backup receivers on a searing, sunny hot day at The Licht House.
If the Bucs can’t control time of possession against Denver, something is very wrong.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Hands up..throw me the dam ball!
September 21st, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Sorry Sterling, I forgot you were on the team.
Let’s jump on Denver early and roll.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:32 pm
LETS GO SS. WAY TO STAY IN THE NFL BABY HARD WORK PAYING OFF.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:34 pm
ME13 needs more yards, he is under the yards per game to reach 1k
September 21st, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Beeej
Not to worry, keeping that run alive is as important to the franchise as it is to Mike!
At least, for now.
September 21st, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Beej … Remember last year when ME13 got over 170 yards on just a handful of receptions against the Bears? Oftentimes it’s feast or famine with Mike; opponents focus big-time on him to limit him & guys like Chris Godwin make them pay.
September 21st, 2024 at 7:36 pm
With all of these articles mentioning the downtrodden Donkeys and should be cake walk makes me fear the JoeJinx ™️ could be in effect…an upset special is certainly possible.
September 21st, 2024 at 8:11 pm
These broncos r pros stop acting like they r the jv squad that’s how we end up getting beat,these players make millions to upset good teams go Bucs
September 21st, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Joe,
Talking smack can come back and bite you.
Don’t jinx us!
September 21st, 2024 at 10:49 pm
The back end of the defese played really good in zone coverage last week, keeping everything in front of them, swarming, jumping routes, laying the wood. If this is now the standard for the back 7 and they keep the foot on the gas, we will beat the Broncos. I havent seen that kind of swarming zone coverage for a long time in Tampa. Was great to see. If the pass rush starts getting home with 4 this defense will be great.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:03 pm
don’t get ahead of yourselves. Do I think the Bucs Win, yes
But with Starters out, if Our Depth gets nicked up???
September 21st, 2024 at 11:26 pm
Get a W and move on ,,, the great teams always take it one game at a time
September 22nd, 2024 at 5:02 am
I hope Sterling does well. Glad to see him get the chance.
Agree with Beeej,DR, gp, and others too about Evans. Unfortunately, we all know that sneaky Sean will probably have him covered heavily. Bucs can win this mentally and physically. Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2024 at 6:21 am
I expect Shepard to get some targets Joe. He’s not an untested rookie after all. The dude can play.
Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2024 at 9:26 am
Nice insurance policy to have a proven quality vet WR (who’s got a rapport with the QB) stashed on the practice squad (now active today) who’s still at an age to make a play or two if his number gets called. I’m not laying any large bets down on Sterling to put up big numbers or being a game changer today, but I could see him extending a drive or two with key grabs in a WR-heavy package play call.
September 22nd, 2024 at 9:27 am
But he doesn’t play special teams like kam. He’ll get in the game just to please the veteran.
September 22nd, 2024 at 12:17 pm
The funny thing is Joe 100% knows what he’s doing when he says something negative about Denver. Not to mention how the Bucs have performed in week 3 games. Not to mention how we normally let rookie or back up QBs have great days against us. Here’s to hoping the team isn’t of the same mind set about the Broncos as Joe is.
September 22nd, 2024 at 3:36 pm
@Will watches the games. It’s insanity that this happens to us over and over again against inexperienced or backup QBs.