Wide receiver Sterling Shepard is entering his fifth season with the New York Giants this summer and has become a mentor for many of the younger players in camp. Shepard, 27, was a second round selection out of Oklahoma in the 2016 NFL Draft and his career is at a crossroads.
Shepard began his time with the Giants as the third wheel behind the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz but made an impact as a rookie with 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. Since then, his career has been one that seems to be on verge of moving to the next level.
That hasn’t happened for Shepard. Injuries shortened two of his next three seasons, keeping his numbers in check. Last year, he was held out of six games, mainly due to the two concussions he sustained.
This year, the coronavirus restrictions threaten to harness Shepard again. He is healthy, however, and if he can play 16 games, Shepard could finally log in the statistics to match his talent.
“I’m hoping so,” Shepard said when asked on Monday if he thought football would make it this year. “I know everyone in the building is and I know all of the fans are as well. We’ve been working like there’s going to be a season. That’s the way that we’ll continue to work”.
Shepard said football is the one thing that has kept reality of the coronavirus at bay, losing himself in his work.
“You get to get rid of the mask and just get out there and do what you love. I’ve always used football as an escape from anything that’s going on in the outside world. Yeah, it’s kind of an escape for all of us,” he said.
Shepard spoke about the differences new head coach Joe Judge brings to the practice field. The Giants were in pads on Monday and that added a little more “juice” to things but overall he likes and respects what Judge stands for, including the lap running for players who make mistakes.
“He’s really big on technique and playing smart with each other, playing at a fast pace and at game speed,” Shepard said. “But also playing smart and helping each other get better, and not playing sloppy football. You don’t want to see guys on the ground too much. That just comes with being technically sound. Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’ve seen from him.”
Shepard will be part of a trio of accomplished receivers along with Golden Tate and Darius Slayton. He was asked if their were one or two in that group that could be ‘dominant’.
“I think we’re all capable of making plays,” he said. “I think the only thing that’s important, when it all boils down, is that can you trust the guy to make a play. I think we have three guys that are able to do that. Another guy who you forgot to mention is Evan Engram. He’s basically a wide receiver playing the tight end position. I think we have a lot of guys who can make plays. I don’t think we’re focused on putting a number on any of us.”
Much of that will depend upon the player who will be throwing those passes to them — second-year pro Daniel Jones — who Shepard says is ready to up his game.
“You’re going to make strides your second season. That just comes with the game,” said Shepard. “He has the speed down and everything. He’s going to continue to progress in the right direction. He’s been doing a good job. He’s been working his tail off, and that’s all you can ask for.”
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