With Jeremy Maclin out for the season, and Riley Cooper being a bozo, Shep could see some minutes for Philly. Undrafted, but looks like he'll make the team. Could be a nice fit with Chip Kelly. http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/07/31/russell-shepard-a-huge-surprise-for-philadelphia-eagles/
I'm really rooting for Shep. Like Winston said, he was a very loyal Tiger who kept his nose clean. I would love to see him develop into a Percy Harvin type guy for the Eagles.....as bad as I hate them.
I'm not sure that article is entirely accurate: Shepard also brings the type of versatility that Kelly covets into his players. The former Tiger played five different positions during college – wide receiver, running back, quarterback, cornerback, safety – and offers intrigue all over the field. Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/...-for-philadelphia-eagles/?24Jli8EMJKlm7Af4.99
I like Shep and I hope he continues to get better. But if he can't catch the ball more consistently than he did here he won't last long.
Per multiple Philly newspapers, Shep is staying after practice learning how to catch, and it's paying off... 8th-year Eagles WR Jason Avant (who caught for about 700 yds last year) "strongly suggested he stay after practice to catch passes from the Jugs machine" "Taking his cues from Jason Avant , Shepard stays after practice each day to catch balls out of the jugs machine. He tries to catch an additional 100 balls every day.... It appears that the extra work he is putting in is paying off.... He has caught most of the balls thrown in his direction and has provided a couple highlights in the early stages of training camp" "Shepard was often the last guy off the field during OTAs and minicamps, taking as many reps as he could get on the Jugs machine. It may be paying off for him.... Shepard had two diving catches today. One was on a short laser that he had to react quickly to. The other was about 20 yards down the field." I wonder if Shep put in that extra effort staying after practice learning to catch at LSU, or if it's something inspired by the shock of not being drafted, NFL teams mainly wanting him as a DB, and realizing he is on his last straw now? Shep: “Going through the draft process, a lot of teams wanted me as a receiver or a defensive back. Actually a majority of teams wanted me as a defensive back"
Shep was bad enough that he trook himself out of the running for the QB position and asked Miles to play receiver. We all know that Shep doesn't exactly lack confidence, so I guess that means "Yeah, he could have been a lot worse".
I still think he should have been utilized more at running back at LSU. The guy can run with the football. Even in the stupid offense where he got the ball every time he came into the game and got keyed on each time . . . he averaged about 6 yards a carry. I know that we were deep, but it seemed like his natural position to me. But Shepard is smart. He knew he was too small to play RB or QB in the NFL. So he tried to make himself into a receiver and it just may work out for him.
