Sterling Shepard: Giants Can't Become Complacent

With two wins under their belt, receiver Sterling Shepard says that the Giants must continue going full speed ahead and not become complacent.

For the first time since 2016, the Giants are 2-2 and have a nice little win streak going. 

And while many Giants fans might be breathing a sigh of relief as the team appears to be moving away from the gloom and doom of the last few seasons, the players are still focusing on pushing forward as though nothing's changed record-wise.

“I don’t think we can exhale,” receiver Sterling Shepard said. “It’s great that we got two wins in a row, but we have to still come with it every week and prepare the way we have been preparing these last two weeks.”

The two straight wins have given head coach Pat Shurmur’s team a much-needed sense of confidence that, he said,  comes from the work that is put in during practice.

“Then when you go out, even after a good practice, it doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to play well,” Shurmur said. 

“All of that plays into it, but once you’ve done something a few times and had a little bit of success, I think it does help you.”

Shepard saw success in another game for the Giants when he recorded seven receptions for 76 yards against the Redskins. The receiver is now second on the team in both receptions (20) and receiving yards (218), behind tight end Evan Engram  (27 catches for 331 yards). 

Shepard is also second on the Giants in yards after the catch (107), behind Engram's 188.

Shepard is only one part of the equation, but he has backed up his words about keeping the foot on the gas pedal behind the scenes. The former Oklahoma Sooner said that he has quickly formed on-field chemistry with rookie quarterback Daniel Jones that all hope will continue to see an increase in production to help the team.  

“We do a great job of just staying after practice and hitting the things we need to hit, some of the things that didn’t work out well in practice, and it goes a long way,” Shepard said. “You see it show up on film on game day.”

That relentless work ethic is what Shepard is referring to when he says that the team cannot exhale, and must always find a way to win regardless of who plays.

“Sometimes it doesn’t work out in your favor, but guys did a great job fighting two weeks ago against Tampa, and it just shows you what type of team we have and the mentality we have,” Shepard said. 

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