Dangerous? Believe It.
June 17th, 2025
Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. FACTORY pricing is in effect for EVERYONE! Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the famous Ira Kaufman discount on top of their great everyday prices. Just ask! Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Looking for some perspective on the Buccaneers? Listen to what the man said.
Out of 91 players on the current Tampa Bay roster, only five are older than 30 — Lavonte David, Mike Evans, punter Riley Dixon, defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and Sterling Shepard.
Sage Ira chats with receiver Sterling Shepard.
Shepard has been catching footballs for a long time, including his 2015 season at Oklahoma, where a young Baker Mayfield threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns to finish fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Mayfield and Shepard were reunited at One Buc Place in 2024 and the 32-year-old veteran is working hard to earn another spot in a loaded wide receiver room.
“I love playing with Baker,” Shepard says. “Ever since I was with him in college, he has played with that chip on his shoulder. He’s going to find some reason to give himself motivation. Everything he went through gave him that kind of motivation.
“He just needed someone to believe in him — and that’s exactly what this organization has done. With his toughness, you can’t help but feed off him. You see Baker play every single snap like it’s his last.”
Playing 53 percent of the offensive snaps, Shepard caught 32 passes last year for a potent attack that may be even more prolific this fall under new coordinator Josh Grizzard.
“We added some pieces that are going to be great pieces for us,” Shepard says. “The more playmakers you have out there, the better. It’s going to be hard to match up with us. I love Grizz. I was with him last year, picking his brain a lot. He’s a very smart guy. Liam Coen definitely did a good job and Grizz was right there behind him. I think Grizz is going to have a great season.”
Shepard can’t say enough about last year’s key addition, a fourth-round pick who led all rookie runners with 1,122 yards.
“Bucky’s one of those special backs,” says Shepard, who played his first eight NFL seasons with the Giants. “I played with Saquon Barkley, so I’ve got that to compare anyone to. Let me tell you, Bucky’s special when he gets that ball in his hands. It’s his vision, his feet. And let me tell you, he’ll turn into a physical back if he has to and the kid can catch. He does it all.”
When Shepard looks around the locker room, he sees vets like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, along with talented youngsters like Jalen McMillan and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka. He knows he’ll need a solid training camp just to make the final roster.
“This is one of the best receiver rooms I’ve been around,” he says. “And it’s not just the way guys prepare for on-the-field stuff. It’s the people we have in general … a great group to be around. When you have guys with the mindset of just winning ballgames, that’s what you want.”
Shepard has been in only two playoff games as a pro, both losses. He has a good feeling about the 2025 Bucs, who are gunning for their sixth consecutive postseason berth.
“Are we dangerous?” Shepard asks. “You’d better believe it.”
June 17th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
LFG!!!!
June 17th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
This Team is loaded on Offense and WR. He won’t make the team unless there are injuries. He can’t play special teams. Now- It is all about the Pass Defense being able to be halfway decent and get off the field on 3rd downs consistently. Go Bucs!!
June 17th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Shep looks so attentive listening to Ira in the picture. Love Shep’s comparison of Bucky and Barkley! His relationship with Baker. Hope Shep can make the team. He fits the culture perfectly.
June 17th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
We didn’t need to bring Sterling Sheppard back imo
June 17th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Shep should be our 5th or 6th WR and make the roster. And we should keep 6 WR this year and let it come down to Kam Johnson or Tez for the last spot
June 17th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Also, put Godwin on IR to start the season.
June 17th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
I hope Shep plays smarter this year with fewer penalties. It seems most of his penalties are effort penalties where he just tries too hard to do something. For example in the game at the Saints he blocked two DBs, blowing both up, but the second was just after the play ended so a penalty.
June 17th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Shep likely has to start on the practice squad – just like last year….
June 17th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Kameron “Kenny Bell” Johnson better have their agents checking minor football leagues for potential landing spots.
June 17th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
I’m with you JimBobBuc. I got so aggravated with Shep last year, I was screaming at the TV. Bonehead penalties at the worst times. Hopefully, he can settle down a little, because he also made some clutch plays. I have a feeling though he won’t make the 53-man roster. Perhaps the practice squad as security for potential injuries to our primary receivers.
June 17th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
I hope Shep makes the cut and don’t sleep on Tez – he’s going to surprise some people
June 17th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Shepherd will go to the practice squad because he won’t get poached by other teams. We’ll put the young guys on the roster first. Miller and Rakim will be fairly safe on PS. Palmer and Kam or Tez will get poached. We’re bound to lose a couple especially if we only use 5 on active like last year. Teams will be looking for our guys.
June 17th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Sheppard is the odd man out. He plays like he’s 18 years old and not a guy over 30, and that’s not a compliment. Too many times last year he committed a bad penalty in tough spots. For what he contributes he should be absolutely perfect on the little things. Veteran presence means veteran expectations.
June 17th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
I don’t think there’s a doubt Tez makes the team. Five receiver spots are locks. Bunch of players competeing for maybe only two spots. Should be interesting to see if we carry 6, or 7, and who might get that spot.