Shining Shepard Shocks On Late Drive
September 28th, 2014
A student of Vincent Jackson, Shepard shined with his first career catches today.
When one of today’s heroes, special teams ace/wide receiver Russell Shepard, made the Tampa Bay roster this season, it was no given.
Joe had a long chat with Shepard after he got the good news, and Shepard admitted he was on the bubble trying desperately to improve as a receiver while working to stay in the league after a good rookie special teams year for the New Schiano Order.
His perseverance as a receiver paid off today.
On 3rd-and-5 from the Bucs 30 yard line with Tampa Bay trailing 24-20, Shepard caught his first career pass. It was a perfectly run and broken short route, and with a defender on him, Shepard made the catch and exploded for a 22-yard gain.
Seven snaps later on the drive, Shepard was the man again on first down.
Lovie Smith gave a vocal nod to Shepard during the Buccaneers Radio Network postgame show, saying “for the most part he’s a special teams player” who came up huge.
“It seemed like he’s been making plays like that throughout,” Lovie said.
Not bad for the guy recruited to LSU to play quarterback, but became a running back before catching just 53 balls in three college seasons at wide receiver.
Shepard had told Joe that Vincent Jackson was a huge inspiration for him, and Jackson was always reminding him that he was primarily a special teams guy in San Diego before becoming a full-time starter in his third season.
Thanks for the leadership, V-Jax. It paid off today.
September 28th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
This is a team that finally had Lovies foot wreched off their necks !
September 28th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
I was thinking those were some of his first. Great catches. This kid has a knack for making plays. I’d like to see these guys step up now. Keep it going.
GO BUCS!
September 28th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
You Go…Marcus…….when the CALL has to be made…You Go Marcus !
September 28th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Always gotta love the underdog. Shepard deserves his success.
September 28th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
^^^ SHUUUUUUUUSH!!!
September 28th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Hard work pays off. First one down the field on spc team. Glad to see him contribute when it counted. And came up HUGE!!!!
September 28th, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Great job Shepard..Game ball for you.
September 28th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Come on Joe, let us have your mea culpa.
Last week’s announcement doe not count. Saying Glennon should start because McCown is not the same. Thank god we did not draft Johnny Football.
While your are in the locker room be sure to kiss Glennon’s ring.
However, Bortles and Bridgewater are looking pretty good today.
September 28th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
“Lovies foot off their necks”? What? I saw a team that responded well to adversity, and did most of the things that Lovie has been asking them to do from the start. About the only thing that changed was taking the handcuffs of the offense for once, which I think Lovie would’ve done from the start if we’d had Tedford from the start. This was a great statement win from out team, GO BUCS!
September 28th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
Now for the next move. The Browns have a QB on practice squad, connor shaw that the bucs need to go after. He will be a starter somewhere and I believe he will be better than johnny football
September 28th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Bridgewater is tearing up the Dixie Chicks. Serves that turkey-necked geezer Mike Smith right for running up the score and acting like he had just got a playoff berth against a poorly prepared, porous Bucs team.
Steve Smith got the Kitties to eat some crow too.
Hopefully Col. Winters look-alike Sean Payton gets his ass handed to him by the Cowboys tonight.
Good day in the South!
September 28th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Woot woot, Go Bucs! Huge win today. That should quiet the haters for at least a week.
September 28th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
What is shocking is the the “coaches”…actually let the players…play…don’t let the game leave you behind…Lovie…the guys you coaches coach…don’t need you( collective) to tell them what they saw on the field !… coach them during the week…and set them free….
September 28th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Stop with the Conner Shaw.
September 28th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Shepard is a playmaker….he can run catch & throw….would like to see him in the slot more often….
He even the Bendaround worked today with Patton….
Hats off to MG8…..game winning drive….no timeouts….made it happen….this will really help him going forward.
l
I still think that our 1st down running plays don’t work….like the short passes better….
September 28th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Amen, BoJim. There’s a reason he’s STILL on a practice squad and 31 teams have seen that he’s available and said, collectively, “meh.”
September 28th, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Its too bad Schanio is not still the coach. He knows talent.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Shot out to Steelers Kicker Shaun Suisham, thanks bro
September 29th, 2014 at 3:34 am
Shephard should also get snaps as our emergency 3rd string QB.
He should also get snaps at FS.
I bet he would be better than Mark. Barron.
Did anybody else notice that. Major Wright played better than our other two safeties?