Transcript: Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard

Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard

Q: What are your initial impressions of Brian Daboll's offense? Have you gotten your hands on the playbook before today? If so, what do you think? If not, I'm sure you looked at some film of his offense, right, so what are your initial impressions of what it'll mean for you guys?

A: Yeah, it's first day so I just got my hands on the playbook, just got our iPads today. Got to look through some stuff for only a couple minutes. I mean, we had to break up the day, I've seen guys in the offense, you've got (Wide Receiver) Cole Beasley, (Bills Wide Receiver) Stefon Diggs, and those guys I've seen those guys operate. It has a chance to be explosive. We just have to do our part and work hard.

Q: I'm curious what the business side of this off season was like for you with the pay cut. Obviously new regime comes in and that's kind of your first impression. So, what was that like going through that?

A: Yeah, I mean, they wanted me here, I wanted to be here. We were able to work something out that made sense for both sides and, you know, I've moved on from it. Just looking forward to getting to know these guys and getting to know this playbook and trying to do my part and win games.

Q: Did you think it was the right decision to fire the last coaching staff? We haven't really talked to you guys since so just wondering, as somebody who gave it all for that staff, what you thought of that decision by the organization?

A: I mean that's a little bit over my head. I didn't partake in that decision. That's not in my pay grade. I'm here with this new staff and that's all I'm focused on right now.

Q: How do you balance the joy and excitement of still being here, and being a senior member of the team and the sadness of missing some of the guys that you've gone to war with?

A: Yeah, I mean, that's just a part of the game. I've had guys that I played with throughout my career that I've built a bond with. You talk about (Jaguars Tight End) Evan Engram, that's like my brother. I've been with him the last five years and to not see his face in the building today it's tough on me, but at the same time, I'm happy for him and his new journey. I still have great contact with him and a lot of the other guys that I played with, but that's just the nature of the beast.

Q: I'm guessing you didn't want to take a pay cut and I know that's a tough thing for a player to accept. I also know you know the reality of your injury situation. Did you consider at all saying no and taking your chance on the free agent market? Also, how tough is that to deal with to know that that's your only avenue to come back to the team?

A: Yeah, it's tough, man, but I did the pros and cons and the pros outweigh the cons by a landslide. I did a lot of talking to my family and ultimately it was the best situation for me and my family. I was super happy that we were able to come to an agreement and if everything goes the way that I hope that it goes, hopefully I'll be here for a little bit longer. Like I said, I'm focused on right now, doing everything in my power to get better, get back on the field and stay on the field and learn this book right now. That's where my head is and where my focus is.

Q: Where are you physically right now and what kind of a timeline are you looking at to getting back –Training camp, start of the season? Do you have any idea?

A: No, I really don't have an idea. I'm taking it day by day and just listening to the trainers, doing everything they ask of me. I also do some extra stuff when I get home. Like I said, I'm doing everything in my power to get back on the field and get back out there with my guys.

Q: On the injury itself, for you physically, I know it's a lot easier for someone to kind of put a blueprint in front of you to come back from that injury, but considering where you've been your entire career, what you've gone through, how much of the emotional component was involved here? Do you feel like you've worked through that to kind of get back to where you want to be and need to be in order to compete, to get to where you want to be?

A: Yeah, for sure. I went through a lot mentally at first and emotionally at first, but I'm kind of past that and just want to focus on getting better. I did a lot of talking with my Mom about the early parts of me being injured. Like I said, my focus is every day just trying to get better at something. I've been listening to the trainers and hearing what those guys have to say and doing everything that they ask of me. So that's all I can do, and that's what I'm focused on.

Q: Have there been any changes that you've noticed in the team about how they're trying to prevent injuries this year?

A: No, I mean, this is our first day back, so I haven't really heard much on that. Actually, in the team meeting today we went over some stuff about what guys can wear on the field and stuff. You know, head injuries is something that has always been a thing in the league and I know they have those caps and stuff now that guys can choose to wear. That's pretty much all that is, but we've only been in here for a couple hours, so I haven't really gotten into detail on any of that stuff.

Q: The first press conference with (Head Coach) Brian Daboll it was pretty interesting to see you there waiting for him, shaking his hand and you're on crutches. This new group, this new GM and this coach, when you've seen a guy like Logan Ryan who was healthy, choose not to come back for whatever reasons they have, they wanted you back. What does that say to you? How they value you on the field, off the field, in the locker room, because this new group, as you know, could easily have just moved on from you if they wanted to.

A: Right, and that was a part of my decision on coming back. I mean, I wanted to be around a group of guys that wanted me there and wanted me to be around the team. That's the grasp that I got from those guys when talking to them. It's always great to be wanted. You take your chance in free agency. You don't know where you're going to end up, you don't know some of the people – I still have ties with a lot of people in this building, they're new, but I know (Senior Vice President of Football Operations and Strategy) Kevin Abrams, I know (Director of Football Operations Ed) Triggs, I know a lot of people in here, so there was some familiarity for me. Ultimately, I wanted to go somewhere where I was wanted and that's what I got from those guys when I talked to them.

Q: Initially, did you wonder about that? Did you wonder if maybe they are just going to move on?

A: Yeah. I mean, you never know what's going to happen in this business. That thought actually did run across my head, but everything works out for a reason and I felt like this was the best place for my family and I, and I'm happy we worked it out.