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About the Author: Zach Shapiro

Avatar Of Zach Shapiro
Zach is entering his 3rd year covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a writer for PewterReport.com. Since 2014, he's handled a large part of the beat reporting responsibilities at PR, attending all media gatherings and publishing and promoting content daily. Zach is a native of Sarasota, FL, and a graduate of the University of Tampa. He has also covered high school football for the Tampa Tribune and the NFL for Pro Player Insiders. Contact him at: [email protected]

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In four seasons Russell Shepard, an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2013, has 15 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Of that, five catches for 81 yards and both career scores have come against Chip Kelly, the coach who originally signed and later cut Shepard from Philadelphia.

Shepard may not publicly admit there’s any added motivation against Kelly’s teams, but his quarterback had no problem suggesting as much.

“This was another big win for him because their head coach cut him, and that’s personal to him,” Jameis Winston said of Shepard. “We did everything in our power to help him. Shout out to Coach Koetter for getting him another touchdown against coach [Chip] Kelly.”

He had one reception in Philadelphia last season, a four-yard touchdown during the 45-17 rout. Then in San Francisco on Sunday, playing his largest role on offense yet, Shepard hauled in five passes for 77 yards and a go-ahead – and, effective, winning – touchdown against Kelly’s new team.

Shepard, who caught three of his five passes on one drive in the second quarter, is known for his ability as a gunner on kick coverage – a unit that’s caused two turnovers for the Bucs in the last two games. But in his first test as No. 2 wide receiver in the absence of Vincent Jackson, Shepard showed he can be more than just a special teams ace.

“He’s probably our best all-around player on this team as far as the passion that he comes with every day to work, as far as the leadership that he gives us and just his heart,” Winston said. “His overall heart is tremendous.”

Head coach Dirk Koetter echoed Winston after the game. After praising Shepard’s attitude, noting that he gave a “passionate” pregame speech, Koetter commended his hard work that translated on the field in San Fran.

“Proud of him. Shep’s a hard guy not to like,” Koetter said. “He’s got an infectious personality. He’s a fun guy to be around. He’s a fun guy in meetings, he can laugh at himself. I like guys like that. I think I just like being around guys like that.

“We said with Vincent [Jackson] out, we needed some guys to step up and even though we rotated three guys, four guys in that spot, Shep’s the guy that made plays. That touchdown, right before the half on that little double move, we’ve been working on that thing for two years. It was awesome to see. They were in the perfect coverage. I was hoping Jameis saw and I was like ‘There it is, there it is, there it is,’ and Jameis threw that thing so early. He just threw it up to the spot. I think that was the Russell Shepard drive.”

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