One player who is expected to be all-in for the New York Giants this year is fourth-year wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who was signed to a four-year, $41 million contract extension this offseason.
Shepard was one of the players who met the media after the Giants’ first practice of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. He spoke about coming back to New Jersey early this year to get in some extra time with quarterback Eli Manning, a true sign of a player that not only wants to get better personally, but is willing to sacrifice for his team.
One takeaway from those sessions, Shepard said, was the fact that Eli is not done and is working extra hard to keep his job, which is being challenged by rookie Daniel Jones.
Shepard was also impressed by Jones, who during practice on a run-pass option (RPO) call took off with the football with exceptional speed, raising some eyebrows.
This group is all about camaraderie and team chemistry, and is no longer focused on who isn’t in attendance or not practicing. Shepard said that he and running back Saquon Barkley have been indulging in some trash talk on the field with the newly acquired safety, Jabrill Peppers.
Shepard is poised to take on a bigger role now that Odell Beckham Jr. is in Cleveland. There is no longer a lead dog on offense in the passing game.
Between Shepard, free agent addition Golden Tate, Barkley and tight end Evan Engram, the Giants will have a more equitable target distribution this year, which could lead to big numbers for Shepard.
