Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard stays hyped up even when he’s not playing much and — in his own words — “I don’t really have much room for error” when he does take the field.
“You either deal with the pressure and come alive or you don’t,” Shepard said on the Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard podcast.
Shepard spoke to Daily News in a 1-on-1 interview as part of the promotion for La Quinta Inns & Suites’ Holiday Hype Machine, through which users can create personalized videos of Shepard to hype up family and friends during the holidays. It is available at lqhypemachine.com through Dec. 31.
Shepard’s conversation with The News, included below, covered a wide range of topics, about Daniel Jones’ proactive response to his torn ACL, Xavier McKinney’s public frustrations, Shepard’s lack of opportunities and mental response, Saquon Barkley’s impressive leadership and Shepard’s possible post-career Giants future. The interview has been edited for space and clarity.
REACTION TO DANIEL JONES’ INJURY
“It was tough. I was watching the first play and it kind of looked a little weird to me. Then obviously it happened the next play … I’ve been through those. I’ve been through two of them. And they can be dark and lonely. So knowing [he’s] gonna be going through that, the thing that comes to my mind is being that friend and not letting him have any of those dark times, just being there for him … But Daniel’s so strong mentally that I know he’ll be able to get past this and overcome it.”
JONES’ RESPONSE TO THE SEASON-ENDING NEWS
“Honestly, I saw him right in the training room [the next day]. He knew he had to get right to work. This is one of those things you have to jump right on. You have to begin the strengthening process. So I was just letting him know if he had any questions on what I did [in my recovery]. But it was crazy because I saw him on the bike, and I remember having to do that same thing. But it’s really a want-to. Some guys want to take a day break or a couple day break, and he was right at it. And that’s the mentality you have to have.”
TAKEAWAY FROM MCKINNEY’S COACH CRITICISM
“It could be coming from a little bit of frustration. Everybody has a right to be frustrated. We just have to do a good job as leaders of keeping it in house, because we’re the only ones who can turn this thing around and fix it. Sometimes when you get frustrated you say some things you may not necessarily mean or get taken out of context, so I’ll let him speak on that stuff. But as one of the leaders of this team, it’s important for me and all of us to get back into the locker room and let the message be known that we can stick together through this. Because I’ve been here for a while. I’ve been through a couple different teams. And when stuff starts to get out like that, it can be divisive. We’ll be OK. Guys are just frustrated, which they have every right to be. But we gotta be the ones to fix this thing, and he understands that. He knows that. So I don’t think it’s too big of a deal. We’ll be alright.”
HANDLING LIMITED ROLE IN BRIAN DABOLL’S OFFENSE
“It’s been tough. I’ve never been in this position as long as I’ve been playing. But you just gotta kinda roll with it. I’ve gone through phases where I’m super frustrated and it shows to my teammates. And that’s the last thing – when I think about being on a team, it’s being a teammate. And nobody wants to be around somebody who’s just in the dumps all the time about their personal situation. So I kinda just had to tell myself you gotta look at the bigger picture and you can’t show that to your teammates. I’ve always been a guy to uplift everybody and to have that energy. So as tough as it’s been, I try to find a way to do that every day and still deal with my feelings. But all I can do is bust my ass at practice and try to get some opportunities here and there, and when my number is called I gotta make it happen. I don’t really have much room for error like I’ve had in the past. That’s just the nature of this business. You go through different phases in your career. Back in the day, I probably had a little bit more room for error. Not so much anymore. But whenever my number’s called, whatever the guys need from me is really where my focus has been the last couple of weeks.”
FEWER SNAPS PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON THOSE SNAPS
“That’s always what I’ve done. If I had a drop it’s like, ‘OK, I’ll be alright, I’m about to just make something big happen.’ Then everybody forgets about the drop. But if you only got three snaps in a game, you gotta make the most of those three snaps. But that’s just the way this is, man. You either deal with the pressure and come alive or you don’t. So that’s what position I’m in, and I try to be grateful and thankful in every position I’m in.”
BARKLEY’S LEADERSHIP AND ASPIRATIONS FOR FUTURE
“I would let him speak on where he wants to go, but how he’s handled everything: we talk about handling things like a pro, and the man has handled it like a true pro. There’s been times where other guys don’t know how he’s handling it that way. But that’s just what type of guy Saquon is. He’s the ultimate teammate. He motivates. During the tough times he’s the one that gets up and gives the speeches to the team and every single word is felt. You can see how much heart and passion he plays with. There’s not too many people that can handle a coach coming in or somebody coming in and telling him, ‘Look, you gotta take this game over,’ and then they go out and do exactly that. There’s not too many people that can do that. A lot of people can have that talk like, ‘Alright, Coach. I got you.’ He doesn’t say anything. He just goes and does it. Special. Generational talent. There’s no other way to put it.”
POSSIBILITY OF SHEPARD WORKING POST-CAREER WITH GIANTS
“I love this organization from top to bottom. I love everybody in that building. I’m very appreciative and grateful for Mr. [John] Mara and how he’s been for me throughout my career. And I wouldn’t wanna go give anybody else or any other franchise my time or my energy. If I was to do that anywhere it would be here with the Giants, just because of all that I’ve been through, and they’ve always had my back. And they were the ones who gave me a chance and drafted me. I’ve tried to handle things on and off the field the right way, and I think that’s the reason I’m in the position I’m in now. I’m grateful.”
![Josh Hart doesn’t want to make the assumption — but the trend proved true at least through the first two games of the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, which means a similar trend could be true, too, in the second round against the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Brunson shot the ball poorly in four regular-season matchups against the 76ers. His slow shooting start in Games 1 and 2 — where he shot a combined 16-of-55 from the field — was not a surprise. Nor should it be a surprise if Brunson reduced the Indiana Pacer defense to ash […]](https://www.nydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24033113916407.jpg?w=525 "Josh Hart doesn’t want to make the assumption — but the trend proved true at least through the first two games of the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, which means a similar trend could be true, too, in the second round against the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Brunson shot the ball poorly in four regular-season matchups against the 76ers. His slow shooting start in Games 1 and 2 — where he shot a combined 16-of-55 from the field — was not a surprise. Nor should it be a surprise if Brunson reduced the Indiana Pacer defense to ash […]")
