Shepard: I was just frustrated
Sterling Shepard said a combination of stress in his personal life and the frustration of losing led to his uncharacteristic outburst on the sidelines during Sunday’s second half in Carolina.
And on Tuesday Shepard said it won’t happen again.
“It was just built-up frustration,” Shepard said. “I also had some family stuff going on before the game. But it was just built-up frustration. I really wanted to win that game, and I felt it slipping away at that moment, and I let the emotions get the best of me.
“But that’s not me, though,” the thirdyear wide receiver added. “I don’t ever do anything like that, and I just kind of let my emotions get the best of me right there. But it won’t happen again.”
Shepard was filmed by FOX punching the Giants’ bench and throwing a cardboard trash can after Eli Manning threw his first interception in the red zone, ending a drive on which Shepard had caught 28-yard and 26yard passes to put the Giants in striking distance down just 20-16.
Shepard’s right hand is OK, first of all. He said he hit the bench with his hand open, not with a closed fist. Still, he is disappointed in himself.
“I don’t even like watching it,” Shepard said of the video that aired on NBC’s “Football Night in America.” “Immediately I was like, ‘That’s not me.’ It’s kinda like I just lost it real quick… It happens sometimes, but I can’t let it happen like that. Gotta find a different way to channel it.”
Coach Pat Shurmur said Monday: “We all need to keep our composure, and when that happens it’s addressed immediately. I was not aware of the Sterling — I found out about it later. And so as soon as I found out I communicated with him and there was good dialogue between player and coach.”
Given the drama swirling around Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants, NBC’s Rodney Harrison suggested that Beckham’s immaturity was “starting to affect the young guys. Sterling Shepard is a really good young player, but now he’s starting to act like Odell Beckham Jr. on the sidelines, throwing tantrums. This is just selfish.” But that’s an example of how offfield distractions can fan flames. Because Panthers QB Cam Newton threw his helmet on the Carolina bench and stormed around on the sideline after his first interception to Curtis Riley, seemingly blaming tight end Ian Thomas for running an indecisive route. And yet that didn’t get much attention at all.
Shepard, by the way, said “everything’s OK” at home, “just family stuff and we’re getting through it, so it’ll be all right.” And he was encouraged by the Giants’ fight and effort Sunday.
“That’s the best I’ve seen the team in a while,” he said. “So we’re taking steps in the right direction.”
FLOWERS OFFICIALLY GONE; KICKER ADDED
The Giants officially waived offensive tackle Ereck Flowers on Tuesday morning and signed tackle Brian Mihalik off their own practice squad to replace him on the roster. They also signed kicker Marshall Koehn to their practice squad in case they don’t have Aldrick Rosas (right quad), who sat out practice for a second straight day.