Broncos Sign WR Edell Shepherd

by John Bena on Mar 6, 2008 5:50 PM MST in Roster Moves Comment 7 comments

The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed free-agent wide receiver Edell Shepherd, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Shepherd (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) is a fifth-year player who joins the Broncos after seeing time on the rosters of Detroit (2007), Houston (2006), Tampa Bay (2003-06) and Chicago (2002-03). Shepherd, who entered the NFL with Chicago in 2002 as a college free agent from San Jose State University, spent the 2007 regular season out of the NFL after Detroit released him on Aug. 28.

In 25 career regular-season games, Shepherd has totaled 13 receptions for 163 yards (12.5 avg.) with one touchdown and two rushes for five yards (2.5 avg.). He also has seen significant action on special teams, recording 37 career kickoff returns for 809 yards (21.9 avg.) and three punt returns for 24 yards (8.0 avg.).

The wide receiver saw his most recent regular-season NFL action with the Texans in 2006, playing seven games for the club and posting three receptions for 22 yards (7.3 avg.) along with 17 kickoff returns for 395 yards (23.2 avg.). Shepherd joined Houston on Sept. 3, 2006, when he was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay.

During the 2005 season with the Buccaneers, he appeared in all 16 games and recorded single-season career highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (103) while catching the first touchdown of his career against Washington on Nov. 13, 2005. Shepherd, who appeared in Tampa Bay's NFC Wild Card Game that season, also led the Buccaneers with a 20.7-yard kickoff return average (20-414) in 2005.

Shepherd spent most of his rookie season in 2002 on the Bears' practice squad and began the 2003 season on the Buccaneers' practice squad before he was signed to their active roster late in the year. He spent the entire 2004 campaign on injured reserve with Tampa Bay due to an injury suffered in training camp.

A second-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection as a senior at San Jose State, Shepherd set school single-season records for receptions (83) and receiving touchdowns (14) during his final collegiate season. He transferred to SJSU after playing two seasons at West Los Angeles College.

Born May 18, 1980, Shepherd attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

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So what are we doing?

are we collecting people and then deciding who is going to be out WR Corps?

Davis to the Hall! "A leader, once convinced that a particular course of action is the right one, must be undaunted when the going gets tough." Ronald Reagan

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 6, 2008 5:54 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

We do this every season with WR...

It's just something we do to give unknowns a shot at the big leagues. Remember Kircus...hopefully this guy isn't a hot head.

2007=1995 all over again: http://www.milehighreport.com/story/2007/10/1/202724/157

by Tim Lynch on Mar 6, 2008 6:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

who

i say again who?

Baby TO My new Fav Player

by TommyTSlice on Mar 6, 2008 6:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Focus on special team backups

So far almost every free agent signing has been a special teams standout, but a backup on offense or defense. Maybe a few of these will find a spot both on ST and in their listed position.

by DBinKC on Mar 6, 2008 7:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

It's not that important

He probably wont make the team, but you always need bodies for training camp and the preseason. Once in a while, one of them turns out to be good... it's not that big a deal.

We actually signed a number of guys that no one has paid any attention to. Go check out the active roster on the official website.

Orange County is hot. Really! Haven't you seen the weather report?

by amirebram on Mar 6, 2008 7:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

You just hope to find a gem with this

n/t

"Another Scapegoat... First it was Greg Robinson's fault. Then Ray Rhodes. Then Larry Coyer. Now Jim Bates... Everybody but Shanahan... -Xandervan 1/8/08

by broncodude793 on Mar 7, 2008 8:33 AM MST reply actions 0 recs