Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard
November 2, 2017
Q: What is the mindset of the team after the bye week?
A: With the bye week, you’re just starting fresh. Not looking at the previous games, just trying to take this next step forward and win this one.
Q: Is there anything specific that Head Coach Ben McAdoo has emphasized to the team this week?
A: Nothing really specific. Just kind of what I just told you, that we’re going to take this one game at a time and that’s how we’re going to approach the rest of the season.
Q: What have you been told about how you are going to be used the rest of the season?
A: I mean, kind of the same, similar way. Especially on the inside. I feel like that’s where I’m best at, but a little bit more on the outside as well. So, throwing a little bit of that in there.
Q: Is there an adjustment for playing more on the outside?
A: No, I play receiver. So, it’s really the same thing. When you’ve got to do it outside, corners give you a different look sometimes, but that’s about as far as that goes.
Q: Did the bye week allow the receiver group to regroup and figure out the best way to use everyone?
A: Yeah, I mean, I think the coaches, they stayed in over the break and kind of looked at what worked well for us and what didn’t and then kind of try to throw some of that bad stuff out of there and stick with what worked before. So, I think that’s what direction we’re going.
Q: Do you think the offense is more tailored to the players that are here now, as opposed to earlier in the season when it was tailored to players that are now injured?
A: Well, it has to be. I mean, we don’t have those guys anymore. So, you have to tailor it differently.
Q: Before you got injured, did you feel like you were having a strong season?
A: I felt like I was doing my job and contributing to the team where I was supposed to. So, yeah, I think I did. I think I did pretty well.
Q: What do you feel like your role is now, having to be the number one receiver?
A: I mean, that’s just what the situation is.
Q: Do you like the role of being the number one receiver?
A: I love it. I love any role. The role that I had before this, just making plays and I’m taking that same mindset to now. Just got to make plays, that’s the bottom line.
Q: Was today your first full practice since getting injured?
A: Yeah. I mean, I pretty much, I did a full practice yesterday. But yeah, I guess you could say this my first full-go practice against other guys.
Q: How do you feel?
A: I feel good. Feel real good.
Q: There’s nothing holding you back now?
A: No, nothing. Or I wouldn’t be doing full practice, so it felt pretty good.
Q: Do you see the offense pushing more and making more of a difference with you back?
A: Yeah, I mean, I think the running game worked so well against Denver that the next week, you couldn’t help but try to test out the running game and see it again. But there’s no question that going forward, we’re going to have to throw the ball a little bit. So, it’s kind of just perfect timing. I’m coming back and we’ll see if we can get things balanced and get the ball moving.
