Sterling Shepard’s Biggest Day Since The 2022 Opener
December 8th, 2024
Yeah, yeah, two touchdown catches today for rookie Jalen McMillan. That was sweet, though Todd Bowles wanted McMillan to take a knee on the late TD rather than score.
Joe hopes that success sparks McMillan, who sometimes doesn’t seem in lockstep with Baker Mayfield.
However, Joe is here now to celebrate veteran receiver Sterling Shepard, who “this Joe” will declare as the Bucs’ current No. 2 receiver with Chris Godwin lost for the season.
What a free agent pickup Shepard has been. Shepard caught 4 balls today for 63 yards, his greatest yardage production since opening day of the 2022 season.
In Week 3 of 2022, Shepard tore his ACL (knee) and was lost the rest of the season. In 2023, he seemed totally washed, catching just 10 balls and looking like a 30-year-old receiver about to be unwanted.
The 2024 free agency calls weren’t there — or weren’t realistic — until Baker Mayfield picked up the phone.
Shepard, 31, got hurt again this summer and started this season on the practice squad. Now, he’s caught 29 balls from Mayfield and 13 in the last three games. He’s become a critical chains-mover for the Tampa Bay offense.
Joe’s a big Shepard fan and Joe also is starting to believe Shepard is just now getting fully healthy after that ACL. It often takes a receiver two years to get right.
That could be a special reality for the Bucs offense. While Shepard doesn’t have significant postseason experience after eight years with the miserable Giants, he’s proven in Tampa to be a big-moments receiver when he’s not committing penalties.
Shepard’s 400-plus career catches could prove to be very valuable experience in the playoffs.
December 8th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Shepard looked great. So did White. Really nice to see these guys step up.
December 8th, 2024 at 6:31 pm
In the proud tradition of Ike Hilliard
December 8th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Great pickup….wasnt expecting much when we signed him.
December 8th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Take a f..king knee!!!! Why? Didnt want to riun up the score? What a bozo!!!
December 8th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
December 8th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Take a f..king knee!!!! Why? Didnt want to riun up the score? What a bozo!!!
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The argument will be that we only needed a fieldgoal to put it out of reach and in the meantime, we could use up all the remaining time on the clock.
But THAT’S NOT what a pirate does!
Go for the throat! Pummel and demoralize!
THAT’S what a pirate does!
December 8th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Sterling Shepard I’d what we were expecting when we signed Russell Gage
December 8th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
It sounds like Joe and “this Joe” are heading for a divorce. It appears “this Joe” feels the need to distance himself from Joe more and more.
December 8th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
And I don’t recall him getting a penalty, thats what’s been irritating me
December 8th, 2024 at 10:34 pm
I was so glad the J-Mac did NOT take a knee and went in for the score.
At least that’s one player who hasn’t taken on the chickenchit play-not-to-lose mentality if the head coach.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Shepard is settling into Godwin’s role. Shepard’s intensity reminds me of AB – hopefully he can control his emotions better than AB ! Go beat the Chargers!
December 8th, 2024 at 11:35 pm
Take a knee! Hahaha. How about we go up 2 TDs quick and you challenge yourself and the D to not give up two 70 yard TD drives in 4 mins. Maybe use it as in game practice Todd.
December 9th, 2024 at 1:52 am
Todd Bowles can take a knee and suck my ballz
December 9th, 2024 at 6:34 am
LOL @ take a knee. Only in Todd Bowles world.
December 9th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Lolol – dude, thats so funny….. or might be, if I was 5
Maybe you and Dave should hang out, you’d crack each other up.
December 9th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Only bowles would say take a knee.. his record shows that
December 9th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Great team player. Fills the role perfectly with Mike Evans. So many weapons on this team. If McMillan can keep up every game like yesterday and Baker can cut the turnovers down, this is a legitimate contender. Thinking we gonna clip the chargers. Let’s go Bucs
December 9th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
5 or not. Come on, who didn’t laugh at that?!!!
December 9th, 2024 at 10:37 pm
Shep needs to keep his emotions under control but he had a good game yesterday with no silly emotional or pre snap penalties.