“Y’all Got To Keep Shep’s Head Clear”

November 27th, 2024

Sterling Shepard

So who is the Bucs’ leader in dumb penalties this season?

It’s the same guy who insiders at One Buc Palace often say leads the team in energy and intensity.

Veteran receiver Sterling Shepard has been a wild card this season. He’s done a good job taking handoffs and making big catches in limited time — 28 touches in 9 games.

Coaches and players have praised him for being a constant energizer, uplifting teammates with boundless spirit and passion.

Shepard was like that during his eight years with Giants, but this year, his first in Tampa, has come with four penalties, a huge number for his position. “Shep” has one each for unnecessary roughness, pass interference, unsportsmanlike conduct and illegal motion.

Buccaneers running back Rachaad White joined SiriusXM NFL Radio this week and noted that players have been told to keep Shep’s mind right.

“He plays furious and he plays ferocious, man,” White said of Shepard.

“And you love a guy like that, and it gets to the point where coaches when we get to gameday be like, ‘Y’all got to keep Shep’s head clear. You all got to keep him calm’ and things like that. But no. That’s not how you play football. It’s a violent game.

“It’s a crazy game. You got to be crazy to play this game. That’s just the reality of it, or have some craziness in you. So, Shep got all of that and he bring that juice, that energy, man. He’s still a great route runner. He’ll still catch that ball.”

Joe enjoyed White saying that he wants no part of calming Shepard down. However, Joe thinks somebody should.

Joe thought the bad penalites were behind Shepard, but he had a senseless illegal motion penalty against the Giants on Sunday that wiped out a Bucs gain.

Regardless, Shepard has been a huge plus for the Bucs. And if he can stay healthy, an issue in his career, he could represent a quality postseason target for Baker Mayfield.

Ira Kaufman Talks Lineup Change, Baker Mayfield, Realities And Illusions From The Giants Game & Shaq Barrett; Plus Ira Lectures Cynical Bucs Fans, And More

17 Responses to ““Y’all Got To Keep Shep’s Head Clear””

  1. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Sterling Shepard is not worthy of a roster spot. Just look at his dropped passes.

  2. Buddha Says:

    Betting with Buddha Season Record: 23-21-0

    Chicago at Detroit Under 47.5

  3. Joseph C Simmons Says:

    He’s been decent, but I really wish J-Mac would establish himself as the #2 receiver after Evans (and pending any possibility of a Godwin return this year).

  4. Bakerfan Says:

    2 maybe 3 of those penalties were complete BS.

  5. GoneGator Says:

    Ryan Miller is a sleeper. He’s lost a couple but he attacks the ball and he, and Jarret just seem to be more physical than J-Mac and Palmer.

    We’re going to NEED some consistent production from somebody besides Mike and our backs! Shep can certainly help – we need everybody playing with their hair on fire. Not worried about the flags…. I’m sure he’s been “talked to”.

  6. Dave Pear Says:

    Hmm. Interesting.

  7. garro Says:

    Keeping his head in the game and avoiding being stupid would go a long way. Otherwise play Ryan Miller.

    No excuse for illegal motion when you are staring at the center and QB!

    I’m with Gone Gator Ryan Miller is a dude. He catches what is catch-able and he blocks the snot out of people! (See Bucky’s big run)

    Also, don’t look now but Durham made a circus catch Sunday!

    Go Bucs!

  8. Buc4evr Says:

    Miller has been better than McMillian. And Palmer is hit or miss. I don’t know what to think of Shepard. The guy flashes, but then does stupid stuff at the wrong time.

  9. Dave Pear Says:

    All the players are great! Hobbits.

  10. mj Says:

    funny how suddenly all the scrubs seem 30% better with 13 on the field, it’s like the opposing defense is playing with one less person now

  11. adam from ny Says:

    i think shep had the most 2 & 3 yard catches in the history of the nfl last sunday…………lol…

    but at least they tried to feed him vs. his old squad

  12. adam from ny Says:

    yeah they don’t use durham enough…he’s good for a surprise big play more often…reliable hands too…

    and i always wonder what they see in miller…decent hands and he can block some…they seem to like him

  13. adam from ny Says:

    most hyped up dude in preseason was mcmillan…

    i know he’s only a rookie, but i’m yet to see even a flash…

    i was hyped, believing the bs…i bought in and expected to see a player…

    it’s early, but he does seem like a scrub or a dud…he’s a scrubdud…lol…did i just coin another phrase or nah

  14. Jeffrey Becker Says:

    the vig’s killin ya budha.. gotta win 60 pct or more. on 100 per bet, ur net minus ten bucks 🙂 good times

  15. dmatt Says:

    One would think that TPalmer would’ve stepped up but he’s borderline average at best. He’s another “let me fair catch or run outta bounds Jayden Darden”. Now I u destined his reason for transferring from lsu to Nebraska. He didn’t possess what the two game changers Jamal Chase n Justin Simmons have. Why do we continue to draft passive, no heart, no aggressive players i.e., TPalmer, JDean, JTS, OJHoward, n Jaden Darden. Our receivers need to step up down the stretch. JMcMillan seems to be one n done (first game of season) TPalmer is a bust,Ryan Miller is suspect, Rahim Jarrett is suspect.

  16. unbelievable Says:

    2 of those 4 penalties were absolute nonsense, and you and everyone watching knows it. Even the announcers thought they were total BS.

    Non-issue IMO. The only one that really bothered me is the illegal motion, cuz that was just being sloppy. That one also has nothing to do with keeping him in check.

  17. unbelievable Says:

    @dmatt – Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarret were both undrafted free agents, not draft picks.

    Way too earlier to judge either of them, and same with J-Mac. I agree Trey Palmer has been disappointing so far. But there’s a reason he was a 5th round draft pick and not higher.