“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, itjust 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.