Vast receiver Sterling Shepard is the true embodiment of the credo “as soon as a Large, all the time a Large.”
So, after we learn that he was on a listing of gamers who may request a commerce this yr, we have been greater than a bit curious.
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In a current article in Bleacher Report, Alex Kay believes Shepard won’t be prepared to take a backseat to all of the youthful wideouts the Giants have introduced in not too long ago akin to Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Wan’Dale Robinson, and rookie Jalin Hyatt.
To not point out veteran wideouts Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder, and two different initiatives in Collin Johnson and Bryce Ford-Wheaton.
Whereas Shepard was one in all a number of pass-catchers on this staff who went down with harm final yr, the 30-year-old’s 14-game absence in 2022 got here on the heels of lacking 10 contests the earlier season. Shepard has had simply two totally wholesome campaigns in his seven NFL seasons, the newest of which got here again in 2018.
Shepard ought to be contemplating a contemporary begin, particularly if he isn’t in a position to come away from coaching camp with a characteristic function in New York’s offense. There is likely to be some suitors prepared to roll the cube on his well being, hoping to get a constant wideout who may also help a squad win if he’s in a position to keep on the sector. Franchises just like the New England Patriots or Houston Texans — each in determined want of competent pass-catchers — may come calling if Shepard asks to be moved.
The very fact is, Shepard goes nowhere. It’s Giants or bust for him as he mentioned earlier this summer season.
“I don’t need to play wherever else,” Shepard advised the New York Publish. “I need to retire a Large. So yeah, I don’t assume I’d go play wherever else. I do burn to play, and that’s a troublesome query as a result of I really feel like I nonetheless have one thing within the tank and that is what I like to do.
“Thankfully, I by no means needed to sit down and make that call. I hope I’m by no means compelled to make that call. I’ve given this place all the pieces I’ve each time I step on that area.”
The Giants have additionally made it clear they need Shepard round. That consensus travels from those that work round MetLife Stadium all the best way as much as co-owner John Mara himself, who has beforehand said he desires to discover a function for Shepard post-retirement.
Finish of story. The Giants will embrace the 30-year-old of their plans and he takes pleasure in being a mentor to the youthful wideouts.
