Neighborhood Work: Mike Evans And Russell Shepard
July 30th, 2016
Joe’s got fresh insight into Mike Evans’ offseason
With all the Dirk Koetter-fueled talk of Mike Evans and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, needing to build better chemistry, a lot of fans wanted Evans glued to Jameis all offseason.
But that’s no knock on Evans. He got married in the spring, and he’s got his daughter and family in the Houston area. Yes, Evans worked with Jameis during some of his free time, but it was never going to be very day. Joe thinks that would have been unrealistic anyway.
Evans, though, was working hard. Wide receiver Russell Shepard told Joe that he and Evans stayed in Houston “down the street from each other” and did hard field work together four times a week. The quarterback slinging them the rock each day was Jerrod Johnson, a former Texas A&M QB, who has bounced around the NFL since 2011. Johnson is currently with the Ravens.
Joe was pleased to hear Evans was grinding away that regularly.
Shepard has a strong first two days of training camp, including beating Brent Grimes on Thursday. Joe referenced Shepard’s strong start and asked Koetter if he still discounts Shepard’s ability as a receiver, which Koetter has done publicly a couple of times.
Koetter acknowledged Shepard is off his radar on offense but is forcing him to pay attention.
“I said before, Shep’s one of those guys that I find myself wanting to write him off as a wide receiver and look at him as a special-teams-only player,” Koetter said. “And Shep’s one of those guys [where] you can’t wear him out. You can’t wear the kid out. He just hangs in there, hangs in there, hangs in there and he’s been making a few plays.”
Shepard said he also spent time working out with Jameis and Mike Glennon, but he discounted how much it means for a receivers chemistry with a QB. “I’m a big believer though that a great receiver can catch from any quarterback,” Shepard said.
The Bucs’ special teams ace, without being asked by Joe, predicted a monster season for Evans. “He’s really put in the work on so many levels.”
Music to the ears of Bucs fans.
July 30th, 2016 at 11:36 am
all you cigarette smokers change their brand to Winston’s it will be the hottest name this year hey buddy
July 30th, 2016 at 11:43 am
Man, Koetter doesn’t sugar coat a thing does he? But those kinds of statements can do wonders for some players. The ones who are mentally tough and able to take both criticism and coaching. I’m always rooting for those guys that just get progressively better. I liked that about Mason Foster. I see it also in Keith Tandy. Perhaps Shepard can be the next underdog for me to root for. I like this new coaching staff. Politics is out the window and the best players will play.
July 30th, 2016 at 11:46 am
Trade for Deandre Hopkins
Ship Mike Evans + ASJ + 2017 2nd round draft pick + anyone they want for Hopkins
July 30th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
His candor is refreshing. Sometimes quite surprising. Love it and imagine media absolutely loves it
July 30th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
No wonder Shepard has looked so good! Koetter needs to be looking at him as the in house replacement for VJAX when he retires. He has a good height advantage on Bell and has no durability issues as Bell does. Start putting Shepard in for VJAX when he needs a breather. You won’t see anyone catching Shepard from behind after the catch either. Bell needs to be used in the slot on first and second down to keep safeties honest and stop eight in the box. Humphries is best on third down to get quick first downs. Murphy should rest Evans when he needs a rest. He can take it to the house too.
July 30th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
I see ya vision Qwlykat.
July 30th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
I agree that Bell should be used in the slot, but question if he will be durable enough to stay healthy, at the NFL level.
July 30th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
What #is Sheppard? Im going to have to try to lock in on this guy during returns. I usually do my best to look away some the plays and look for bonejarring hits. TV angles are usually vry poor at showing them too.
July 30th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
the real Bucobruce… I’d have to fill up my fat piggy bank to buy a pack of Winston. The kind I smoke I can buy 5 cartons for what 1 of Winston sells for. 40 years of choke choke puffing, it’s a wonder I’m still alive. Don’t smoke tabaccy! Well wacky. I should listen to myself.
July 30th, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Bucsfan
I hear ya…that’s why I save the “smoke capacity” of my lungs for something a lot better than tobaccy. 🙂
July 30th, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Good thing Kobe faker isn’t a GM.
Then again making moves like that would have you out of the job either way.
July 31st, 2016 at 6:42 am
Sheppard is #89