New York Giants rookie wide receiver Sterling Shepard has his sights set on achieving the goals set for him early on by Odell Beckham, Jr. as he prepares for his side’s opening day trip to Dallas.
Odell sets the target…
The second round draft pick explained to Giants.com how he will continue to refer back to the objective laid out to him by Beckham at the beginning of the summer as he prepares for his debut season in New York.
“Since Odell tweeted at me “1,306” -- one more yard than he had as a rookie -- I just keep it in the back of my head. I’m just going to go out there and play my game. I obviously think about it and want to accomplish goals like that, so I’m just going to give it all I’ve got.”
@sterl_shep3 1306. Don't forget.
— Odell Beckham Jr (@OBJ_3) 29 June 2016
Shepard has caught the eye during this off-season with exhibitions of the explosiveness and sheer desire and energy that earned him the move up to the NFL.
Excitement has been generated by the prospect of star receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. not only helping to develop a promising young talent such as Sterling but also him benefitting from the extra space created by the coverage the rookie will eventually demand.
The 23-year-old out of the University of Oklahoma hailed OBJ as a main influence as he was growing up in college.
“I remember watching his rookie year when I was a junior in college. He was just exciting to watch. He was a big reason why I turned on the TV every Sunday. So I looked at him a lot when I was a little bit younger, and I’m excited to be playing alongside him.”
Though the two differ in experience, both play with a similar passion and fearlessness that promises to create a frightening receiving duo for opposition defenses to come up against in the future.
Opening game anticipation…
Sterling Shepard will get the chance to gear up for his first regular season NFL matchup on September 11 when head coach Ben McAdoo’s Giants kick off their campaign against the Dallas Cowboys.
Opening game enthusiasm seems to have taken over nerves for now as the young star prepares for life in the big time.
“It’s the first regular-season game I’m going to be putting on the New York Giants helmet and I’m just excited. I got some of my pregame jitters out of the way with the preseason, but it’s still going to be an exciting moment for me. It’s a dream come true.”
“I’ve got a lot of people coming out since it’s only a few hours where I’m from. I have my mom taking care of it all because it got to be too much on me. I’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of family coming out to it, so it’s going to be fun.”
Shepard will continue to wear the number 87 on the back of his jersey in the same way his father Derrick Shepard did during his NFL career.
The new season is very nearly here and so is the chance for Sterling Shepard to begin his path to stardom and prove he is worthy of playing with such high expectations resting on his shoulders.