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Sterling Shepard - what we expected?

chris r : 1/9/2017 11:15 am
I know many here, myself included, were very high on this pick. I thought he had a little Steve Smith Sr in him with his toughness, big play ability and ability to play larger than his size. So what's the verdict one season in?

Hands , getting open and dependability he's everything I thought. However I expected him to be a bit more explosive, both making plays down field and running after the catch. It's the latter I think that has surprised me the most. I thought he was going to be very strong RAC guy but this season he wasn't particularly nimble or explosive in small places after the catch.

In short he was more Steve Smith Jr than Sr which is not bad at all, just different than what I expected.
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True  
GeorgeAdams33 : 1/9/2017 11:49 am : link
but this thread is about SS
There's one way to improve your passing attack  
Jeever : 1/9/2017 11:49 am : link
Ability to run the ball!!

The fact that for most of the year we were unable to move the ball on the ground allows teams to take away the passing game and put our defense out on the field for way too long.
I would call his production as  
Gman11 : 1/9/2017 11:50 am : link
pedestrian. He wasn't bad, but he didn't exactly take coverage away from Beckham. He was not a deep threat and didn't get much YAC.

Not bad for a rookie, but needs to make a Landon Collins-like jump in improvement to be a threat next season.
Good, BUT  
HoustonGiant : 1/9/2017 11:54 am : link
Eli needs a tall WR or TE. He excelled with Plax and Nicks, that's really what we're missing. They are the keys in the Red Zone.
He played well  
RetroJint : 1/9/2017 11:54 am : link
He is good but the hype surrounding him after the Giants drafted him was ridiculous. He can't run away from people so he will never be great. However, he is a definite asset going forward.

I thought he was behind Fuller and Boyd heading into the deaft. His play indicated otherwise. He had the best rookie season of the three.
Good player  
Ten Ton Hammer : 1/9/2017 12:02 pm : link
But I never understood why he had so much hype going into this season. People really ran away with that.
Playing receiver in the NFL  
rebel yell : 1/9/2017 12:06 pm : link
as a rookie is one of the most demanding positions. Anyone saying they're disappointed in SS's year doesn't understand football. He's a great player who will improve with a year under his belt. He had a GREAT rookie season.
8 WRs  
UConn4523 : 1/9/2017 12:06 pm : link
had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.
I wouldn't focus  
PaulBlakeTSU : 1/9/2017 12:09 pm : link
too much on TDs. They are nice, but they can be fluky from year to year. For instance, when Calvin Johnson broke the receiving record for yards, he had 5 TDs. He had 16 the year before, and 12 the year after.

I think it's better to focus more on his catching ability, ability to get separation, and what Eli/McAdoo and those who review the tape see of his route-running.
solid rookie season  
Matt in SGS : 1/9/2017 12:10 pm : link
as noted above, Odell probably inadvertently hurt him with the hype that he was going to break his rookie records.

Honestly, what I see in Shepard is another SS, Steve Smith (the Giants one). He will end up being a very solid WR in the NFL, will be able to move the chains, but will not be a deep threat, but that's not what the Giants need out of him anyway.
2nd round pick who  
bluepepper : 1/9/2017 12:15 pm : link
started from day 1 and had a lot of key catches. Yes, there were some who hoped we had caught lightning in a bottle and he'd be a mini-OBJ but that was unrealistic. If he remains healthy he'll be a 10 year starter in the league.
Excellent season, excellent pick.  
CT Charlie : 1/9/2017 12:20 pm : link
After a glue-like beginning of the season, he dropped a few near the end. But he runs routes well, shields the defender when he can, and he'll hang on well. If Eli had been more accurate most of the season, all our receivers would have had better numbers.
He seems to have an innate talent for finding holes in zone defense.  
Ten Ton Hammer : 1/9/2017 12:22 pm : link
Smart kid. A play style that would work best with a QB that has time to throw.
RE: I wouldn't focus  
UConn4523 : 1/9/2017 12:23 pm : link
In comment 13317041 PaulBlakeTSU said:
Quote:
too much on TDs. They are nice, but they can be fluky from year to year. For instance, when Calvin Johnson broke the receiving record for yards, he had 5 TDs. He had 16 the year before, and 12 the year after.

I think it's better to focus more on his catching ability, ability to get separation, and what Eli/McAdoo and those who review the tape see of his route-running.


My point was that the guy can make a play when called upon. Unless you are on the Saints or a team with that kind of volume, 8 TD's is no small accomplishment. This was a bad offense this year and he managed to make a ton of 3rd down catches and find the end zone. I don't expect 8 TD's every year, but he certainly proved he can do it.
RE: 8 WRs  
chris r : 1/9/2017 12:25 pm : link
In comment 13317029 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.


Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.
I think he becomes an elite slot WR next year: 80 - 1000 - 10  
SGMen : 1/9/2017 12:27 pm : link
is a real possibility, especially if we get a #2 WR worthy of being defended. That would open things up for the slot guy.

People are going to laugh, but I have a feeling that all six of our draft picks will be starting next year:
1. Eli Apple - he'll improve and be 21 or 22 during the season, very young and very talented.
2. Sterling Shepard - excellent slot guy as noted above.
3. D. Thompson - was excellent til the injuries took their toll on him and he got IR'd.
4. Goodson - smart, hard worker, played more snaps as year progressed, may take MLB Shepard's spot (UFA) and rotate with LB Robinson depending upon team, coverages, formations.
5. Perkins - likely our #1 RB followed by Vereen and whomever we pick up in the draft and/ or scrap heap.
6. Adams - I think his blocking and size get him the nod at TE next year.
UDFA - Adams - played really well and will be the backup FS
UDFA - Okwara - if JPP gets big money elsewhere, at least we have a guy we know can "play"
UDFA - Lewis - strong on specials and showed some receiving talent in camp. Needs a strong off-season of work on his route running and such.

This was the best OFF-SEASON of Reese's career. I mean that because you have to include the UFA's we signed.
He did well  
jeff57 : 1/9/2017 12:28 pm : link
But I expected a little more. Maybe if they get a taller third receiver or TE who's a downfield threat he'll raise his game a notch.
Made a lot of tough third down catches in traffic.  
bceagle05 : 1/9/2017 12:28 pm : link
That will probably be his calling card going forward. I look forward to adding a third weapon at WR and seeing what we can do.
I thought he did fine.  
Bubba : 1/9/2017 12:33 pm : link
Hell he even prevented 2 ints. One yesterday and one against the skins that would have gone for 6.
I thought he was very productive for a first year slot receiver....  
Simms11 : 1/9/2017 2:10 pm : link
I was also a little disappointed in his inability to provide more YAC. I thought he showed to be more explosive coming out of college. He was a very nice addition to our receiving corps and he appears to be a guy we will be able to rely on going forward.
I expected more  
old man : 1/9/2017 2:23 pm : link
given the buildup, but, given our OL, maybe an OL that lets receivers run the route to the catch point more often would have made him more productive, as well as other receivers.
I expect his #'s to blow up next year  
The_Boss : 1/9/2017 2:24 pm : link
Assuming Cruz isn't brought back. Both are slot only guys who couldn't win enough when they were outside. Another outside guy is needed.
RE: RE: 8 WRs  
UConn4523 : 1/9/2017 2:26 pm : link
In comment 13317112 chris r said:
Quote:
In comment 13317029 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.



Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.


Yeah, in season 4. He had 3 TD's the previous year on more targets than Shepard had this season. But we are also comparing 2 players that don't play the same position so there's that as well.
RE: RE: RE: 8 WRs  
chris r : 1/9/2017 2:28 pm : link
In comment 13317686 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13317112 chris r said:


Quote:


In comment 13317029 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


had more TD's than him...8. Considering our offensive woes I'd say that's a pretty solid rookie year, maybe even really good year considering the circumstances.



Guess who had 8 TDs last season? Rueben Randle.



Yeah, in season 4. He had 3 TD's the previous year on more targets than Shepard had this season. But we are also comparing 2 players that don't play the same position so there's that as well.


The point is, as Paul mentioned, Tds are not a great metric for judging WR performance. For example SS had more TDs than J Jones.
and like I said previously  
UConn4523 : 1/9/2017 2:38 pm : link
I'm not using it as a sole metric. I also explain why in that post as well.

But to continue with Rueben Randle we saw his absolute ceiling. A bad WR who was just big enough to make a play here and there. I don't think it can be argued that we didn't see his ceiling.

Meanwhile our rookie has similar production, albeit in a different role, and seems to make the tough catches that Randle never did.

So yeah, same exact player....
RE: and like I said previously  
chris r : 1/9/2017 2:39 pm : link
In comment 13317729 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
I'm not using it as a sole metric. I also explain why in that post as well.

But to continue with Rueben Randle we saw his absolute ceiling. A bad WR who was just big enough to make a play here and there. I don't think it can be argued that we didn't see his ceiling.

Meanwhile our rookie has similar production, albeit in a different role, and seems to make the tough catches that Randle never did.

So yeah, same exact player....


I never said same exact player.
Solid rookie year  
mrvax : 1/9/2017 2:43 pm : link
but I too thought of him as a poor man's Beckham. I suppose I expected SS to be a bit more elusive after the catchas the OP opined.
Imagine if we took  
Carl in CT : 1/9/2017 3:04 pm : link
Doctson or Treadwell? Busts.
Shepard, Beckham, and even Cruz  
Glover : 1/9/2017 3:33 pm : link
would have been a lot better if the Giants had an average O line.
RE: I think he becomes an elite slot WR next year: 80 - 1000 - 10  
BinCO : 1/9/2017 3:47 pm : link
Not laughing at all, I think you are dead on. JR needs to follow up with more UFA on O this year... Eli is not getting younger and we probably only have a 2 year window with him.

In comment 13317131 SGMen said:
Quote:
is a real possibility, especially if we get a #2 WR worthy of being defended. That would open things up for the slot guy.

People are going to laugh, but I have a feeling that all six of our draft picks will be starting next year:
1. Eli Apple - he'll improve and be 21 or 22 during the season, very young and very talented.
2. Sterling Shepard - excellent slot guy as noted above.
3. D. Thompson - was excellent til the injuries took their toll on him and he got IR'd.
4. Goodson - smart, hard worker, played more snaps as year progressed, may take MLB Shepard's spot (UFA) and rotate with LB Robinson depending upon team, coverages, formations.
5. Perkins - likely our #1 RB followed by Vereen and whomever we pick up in the draft and/ or scrap heap.
6. Adams - I think his blocking and size get him the nod at TE next year.
UDFA - Adams - played really well and will be the backup FS
UDFA - Okwara - if JPP gets big money elsewhere, at least we have a guy we know can "play"
UDFA - Lewis - strong on specials and showed some receiving talent in camp. Needs a strong off-season of work on his route running and such.

This was the best OFF-SEASON of Reese's career. I mean that because you have to include the UFA's we signed.
I thought he would be more dynamic.  
Brown Recluse : 1/9/2017 3:47 pm : link
He still could be. He's just a rookie and can continue developing.

I think most expected more from the offense as a whole than we got this season.
RE: Imagine if we took  
BinCO : 1/9/2017 3:49 pm : link
Treadwell was a huge disappointment.

In comment 13317818 Carl in CT said:
Quote:
Doctson or Treadwell? Busts.
Shepard met all reasonable expectations.  
Big Blue Blogger : 1/9/2017 3:50 pm : link
In hindsight, Michael Thomas would have been a better fit for the Giants' needs - at least in the near term. But you can almost always find a better hypothetical pick after the fact.

Keep in mind that Shepard, whom the Giants picked at #40, was generally ranked a bit lower in the pre-draft analyses because his upside was viewed as more Welker-ish than Beckham-like.
Was hoping for a more explosive player  
David in LA : 1/9/2017 4:39 pm : link
but I can't kill the pick. He showed more than Steve Smith did his rookie season IMO.
I think too much was expected of him.......  
Doomster : 1/10/2017 1:11 pm : link
He was no Odell, but we saw flashes from him that showed he had ability....now the rest is up to him.....

He knows the speed of the NFL vs college ball, now....he knows what his weaknesses are, and it's up to him to work on them.....he has to learn one simple truth, catch first, then run.....as a rookie, he had rookie inconsistencies....and he was forced to be the second option, because Cruz was a shell of what he once was, and the TE's were a poor option....

There were some great flashes....hopefully he builds on it next season.....
overall I'm reasonably  
area junc : 1/10/2017 1:35 pm : link
happy with him as a 2nd round pick, but I am disappointed in 2 areas of his play: YAC and blocking.

He was billed as a special blocker - I haven't seen that.

He was also billed as an elite YAC guy who would break a lot of tackles. His field vision with the ball is limited and he goes down easily. if anything, I'd say he has below average YAC ability for a slot WR. I was surprised how easily he went down in the open field.

just my observations. I do like him as a role player and expect him to improve.
Happy with what he gave us  
Kyle in NY : 1/10/2017 1:38 pm : link
as a 2nd round rookie. I just question how high the ceiling is.

And having passed on Michael Thomas, and seeing what he did (albeit in a more explosive offense), I've got to admit there is a bit of buyer's remorse there. He'd be a perfect compliment to ODB.
RE: 65 Rec 683 Yards 8 TD  
djm : 1/10/2017 2:16 pm : link
In comment 13316887 est1986 said:
Quote:
Not bad but... Could be, should be better.


He's a rookie. Your expectations were too high. He had a solid first year. I don't think he's a special amazing player but he's already a winning player and worthy starter. He seems like a very grounded and hard working kid. Hopefully he gets even better.
He had a very good rookie year.  
Matt M. : 1/10/2017 5:19 pm : link
I think he can be better, but I also think he was not used enough on the outside this year. I suspect that will change. I expect him to move between inside and out more next year. He certainly gave us a lot to look forward to and was certainly ready to play in the NFL as advertised. If he follows a natural progression, we have a very good WR on our hands.
He's not going to grow  
Joey in VA : 1/10/2017 5:40 pm : link
By leaps and bounds, he's polished for the most part so his ceiling isn't very high but his floor is so he'll at least be a dependable option for us. Getting a bigger WR at the X and allowing him to play in the slot more often would make him a bigger threat from play to play.
I want to see him in the slot  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 1/10/2017 5:44 pm : link
.

I think he'll excel.

As for this season, good rookie campaign.
RE: I want to see him in the slot  
Ten Ton Hammer : 1/10/2017 6:09 pm : link
In comment 13320576 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
.

I think he'll excel.

As for this season, good rookie campaign.


He was in the slot for much of this season.
Tough to blame him  
MookGiants : 1/10/2017 7:09 pm : link
for the ability to get open down the field when we rarely took shots down the field all year, probably because of the offensive line
Thought he'd be better  
Marty866b : 1/10/2017 7:33 pm : link
Don't see any great explosiveness or speed in his game. I expected more YAC and he didn't create great separation on most catches. He's an NFL player,no doubt,but he will have to improve greatly to be looked upon as a top slot receiver. You can make an argument that AT THIS TIME he is the worst slot receiver in our division. Looking at his physique in that Miami boat photo I wonder if he should lose some weight and firm up his body. IMO,our Steve Smith was better.
If he comes Steve Smith (NYG) i will sign up  
Joey from GlenCove : 1/10/2017 7:48 pm : link
I honestly expected more, maybe i shouldn't have. The offense was much better last year so i expected him to produce more as an upgrade over RR and harris. I could also just be a moron and forget he's a rookie.


Like everyone else said we get an NFL TE an actual number 2 WR and better OL yea he will do much better.

Man we were robbed of a OBJ Nicks Cruz lineup

SAD!!!!!
RE: Thought he'd be better  
MookGiants : 1/11/2017 12:27 pm : link
In comment 13320670 Marty866b said:
Quote:
Don't see any great explosiveness or speed in his game. I expected more YAC and he didn't create great separation on most catches. He's an NFL player,no doubt,but he will have to improve greatly to be looked upon as a top slot receiver. You can make an argument that AT THIS TIME he is the worst slot receiver in our division. Looking at his physique in that Miami boat photo I wonder if he should lose some weight and firm up his body. IMO,our Steve Smith was better.


Which Eagles slot receiver could you argue is better than Shepard?
Thrill Ride  
One Man Thrill Ride : 1/11/2017 12:46 pm : link
sees a dependable catch-and-fall down guy with a limited ceiling.

A useful chess piece but not a game-changer.

Later in the season showed great ability to defeat press coverage (vs. 26-McKelvin @Phi, vs 33-Hyde @GB), but his failure to separate vertically and make contested catches downfield is consistent with the prevailing thought that he is best suited to be a predominant inside receiver.

Only 6.5 yards per target, which was among the lowest qualifying numbers across the league and seemingly confirms the inability to create explosive plays.

Entered the league as an old prospect (turns 24 in Feb), which for WRs is generally pretty meaningful. He's older than Jamison Crowder, who was 8.8 yards per target this season and showed the game-breaking explosiveness that Sterling almost assuredly lacks.

Right now, the premier "slot-plus" player in the league is Doug Baldwin and he's somebody Sterling could potentially imitate if we find the right surrounding pieces. The big difference is that Baldwin runs such a wonderfully complex collection of routes and route variations, many of which lack definition by your traditional 0-9 standards. Sterling really only showed proficiency with slants and corners.

If there's something Thrill Ride laments, and lamented at the time, it was passing on a more prototypical Michael Thomas from The Ohio State. As much The Org likes Sterling and believes he is a winning player, dependable slot guys are so readily available -- many of the noteworthy guys were mid or late round picks, undrafted or low cost FAs. Not the 40th pick in the draft.
Mook  
Marty866b : 1/11/2017 3:48 pm : link
Jordan Matthews plays in the slot in a lot of formations.
I think with a full NFL offseason  
mfsd : 1/11/2017 3:54 pm : link
of strength and agility training, mini-camp practices and a few months to really study the playbook, he'll be ready to make a big leap in year 2
Can't complain at all.  
Mike in Long Beach : 1/11/2017 3:55 pm : link
Fantastic season for any rookie, let alone one who had to perform in an offense that never clicked at any point during the season. Actually, I can't remember the last time we've had that kind've production out of a rookie WR (save for the one obvious exception).
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