“Massive” Performance From Sterling Shepard
September 10th, 2025
The Bucs’ playcaller weighs in.
Joe shutters to think what might have happened if Sterling Shepard didn’t squeeze a 3rd-and-9 throw from Baker Mayfield for a first down at the Falcons’ 40 yard line with 1:32 remaining in Sunday’s game.
Shepard grabbed it, his third catch of the day, all for first-downs.
Joe loved Shepard’s game Sunday. It looked like last year’s minus the dumb penalties and rough dropsies.
Bucs fans from the 2007 season (ancient NFL times) may remember third downs back then meant “3rd-and-Ike,” referring to veteran receiver Ike Hilliard.
Hilliard, now the Falcons’ wide receivers coach, became a Bucs-fan favorite after eight years with the New York Giants. That’s the same number of years Shepard played for Big Blue.
Joe’s not ready to put Shepard on the same plane as Hilliard, but he’s had many clutch moments since arriving last season.
Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard had plenty to say about Shepard on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“Massive plays he had [Sunday],”Grizzard said of Shepard after explaining his team-first approach.
“The first third-down conversion, being able to have that on the scramble drill, the one in the two-minute [drill] really kept the drive alive, which was massive in his play strength and how hard he plays to be able to fight through the linebacker to get it, to get the yards necessary. Knocking down the pass that could have been potentially intercepted. And then he takes his role as a blocker very seriously as well; he’s trying to get a hat on a hat. And just the energy that he brings by makin’ a play, it just juices up everyone else because he’s so animated in his celebrations that they love to see him get the ball and do something good with it. And then it really energizes the whole unit after that.”
Imagine if at some point this season the Bucs have all their receivers healthy. It could prove to be historic.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Can’t wait till Sterling Shepherd is our fifth receiver! What other team other than possibly the Packers if they cutdown on last years drops, comes anywhere close to our top five receivers?
September 10th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Shepard was pretty good at the beginning of last year, but seemed to wear down as the year went along. Hopefully he can stay productive until the cavalry arrives.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Shep showed up!
September 10th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Shep is a lot better and more important than most fans realize. Appreciate how he plays.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
He’s one of my least favorite WRs in the last several years, but damn he kept the drives going in critical moments. Gotta love his fire too, maybe I’ve been a little too harsh.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Panhandle Buc, you weren’t the only one a little too harsh on Shep. It’s understandable if you didn’t know what type guy he is. He loves playing football, his dad played at OU and he’s been a field rat since he was a toddler. Rod is right, his weakness has been his availability. I thought he’d be lucky to be our 6th WR but he may just be our 5th- Aqualung is right- he’s more important to the team than most fans realize. I’m not sure if he would still be playing if it wasn’t for the Bucs. Would really like to see him get a ring. He’d never quit grinning if he was a part of that!
September 10th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Shep is Baker’s man & you can see why….
September 10th, 2025 at 4:17 pm
He’s a team guy.
He’s an NFL caliber receiver.
He’s one of Baker’s guys.
And he showed why on all counts Sunday.
I was happy to see it.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
He looks great!
He was a 2nd round pick.
He was a stud for the Giants.
If you don’t like Sterling, you are an idiot!
September 10th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
It was great because last year he had the dropsies in critical situations.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
a lot of people diss on Sterling, I just don’t get it. He always shows up on 3rd downs and defenses have to account for him and if they don’t he makes them pay. Last year he got some bum calls against him, hopefully he can continue producing right into the Superbowl.
You haters will just continue to hate, just don’t get it.
September 10th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
@Panhandle
100% agree
September 10th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Looking at this outside of an Oklahoma Sooners fan, I am a little with Munch on this one. Shepard was fine earlier in the year for the Bucs last year but as the season went on — disappeared.
Shepard was on the field for over 50 percent of the snaps in the Washington playoff game and had NO CATCHES. Further, I think the last three games he played in — in the regular season — he played about 50 percent of the snaps and had a total of “3” catches.
Calling him a marginal player on this team.
September 10th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
I’ve always liked Shep as a receiver, but the bonehead plays last year gave me pause…. This year he’s continuing to be a very good receiver and I’m hoping the bonehead plays are gone! We need him to show up big time against HOU. I hope he can give Bake some support in the huddle for a tough night game.
September 10th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
geno711 Says:
September 10th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Looking at this outside of an Oklahoma Sooners fan, I am a little with Munch on this one. Shepard was fine earlier in the year for the Bucs last year but as the season went on — disappeared.
———-
I really liked Shepard early last year, when he was in camp I was saying if the guy is anywhere close to healthy, he’s going to make the team, etc – and early on he looked the part. But his injury history is very very long, and he just seemed to wear down. Good news, he’s had the entire offseason to recharge, and if we can get half a year out of him, that will be a huge since it will buy time for Godwin and McMillan. Then in more of a reverse role, perhaps he can keep his level of play up.
But I’m not bashing the guy at all – early in their careers, Shepard and Godwin were being compared for a reason, but the injuries really derailed Shepard’s career.
September 10th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
He keeps playing like he did Sunday and we’ll all be hyping him up. Hop he does personally. I like the spark plug Shepard.
September 10th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
At least we have someone from the 2016 draft on the team….what a disaster that was
September 10th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
Well…no… Rod, you didn’t. What you actually said was Shepard “won’t” make the team, but hey, this isn’t the first wrong thing you’ve said about football talent and I’m quite certain it won’t be anywhere near your last, anywhere…near it.
Sterling is money when he is needed. One example was Monday night, in the rain, at KC last year, he was on it when it mattered most!!!
September 10th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Unreal….to be our # 5 WR
September 10th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Having a vet who knows how to get open, is selfless and knows he’s not the first couple of options, and has a rapport with the quarterback, is priceless.
Having him as the fourth or fifth option shows the incredible depth
September 10th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
September 10th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
At least we have someone from the 2016 draft on the team…
Deion Jones LB!
September 10th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
An equally huge play was on the play right before Shepard’s catch where Mayfield escaped a sure sack and managed to throw it away. Instead of 3rd and 18 from their own 41 they had a manageable 3rd and 9. Sometimes it’s the plays that down make the highlight reels that are just as important as those that do. Mayfield’s escape to get rid of the ball was impressive.
September 10th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Don’t get carried away, Chris & Jalen get back and Shep will fall right back down the depth chart lol
September 10th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
sounds like shep is the new cg and mek taking jmacs spot
September 10th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Shep was counted out by many before the season started, like not even making the team. He is now the third WR and makes clutch plays whenever called upon. The big plus is that he is always available to play. Glad he is on the team.
September 10th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
He did awesome….lucky to have him and be so deep at wr
September 10th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
The arrogant but ignorant sect ignores performance and results, instead preferring to cling to narratives disproven by reality.
September 10th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Robert Horry. Er, I mean Sterling Sheperd is a baller. He’s not going to put up Jamaar Chase numbers but he is going to snatch a clutch catch and give you what he’s got. Super valuable and super team first guy. Easy to love him.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:01 am
Best route runner by far , just needs to calm down the anger jets and get his head 100 percent on the play and team ……… help the qb, celebrate like you’ve been there before and Shep will be a huge part of every game …… choose to bring the trashy, jailhouse intensity / mentality and when people get healthy, you may be on the practice squad !! so figure it out Sterling !! You are a 3 rd down Stud and the best route runner but also the biggest by far unaware team killer Head Case !!
September 11th, 2025 at 1:17 am
Hmm never really jumped on the Ike Hilliard bandwagon. But I do get the comparison. Loved how Vincent Jackson always seemed to come up with first downs even when everyone knew he was gonna get the ball.
I can barely wait to get everyone back on the field shredding defenses. Helping Baker make 1st team All Pro! Buka ROY?
Go Bucs!
September 11th, 2025 at 3:06 am
I love all of our receivers, but when we get Godwin and JMac back, I would rather see the younger guys, who have a future, stay on the active roster. Shephard didn’t contribute much at the end of the season. He’s had a career, and these other guys are just getting started. It’s not hate for him. It’s love for the team. I’ve been a fan of the Bucs from the very beginning. I want to live to see another boat parade.
GO BUCS
September 11th, 2025 at 3:31 am
Davyboy Says:
September 10th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
Well…no… Rod, you didn’t. What you actually said was Shepard “won’t” make the team
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Retard, I was talking about last year, when everyone else was saying he was washed up. Additionally, I said this year, when it was still believed Godwin might be back early, and ‘Hospital Ball’ Bridgewater hadn’t sent McMillan to IR, that if you had both of those guys, and only kept 6 WRs, I’d rather the spot go to one of the young guys, and put Shepard on the practice squad – thus saving him, so if they did need him, he’d be fresh since I still think, like last year, he’s going to wear down.
But don’t let little things like facts and what I actually said get in the way of your idiotic fake news comments.