Bucs are better with Richard Sherman, no matter where or if he plays
TAMPA — It may have been a new position and a different vantage point, but the same 33-year-old eyes were laser focused on the ball.
Late in the first half of Sunday’s victory over the Bills, Buffalo had a first down at its 40-yard line when Bucs defensive back Richard Sherman broke on a pass from quarterback Josh Allen that had been batted into the air by outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
Sherman dove to the ground and cradled the ball for his first interception of the season and the 37th of his career in the regular season.
“God blessed me with the ability to catch the football and recognize it to bring it down,” Sherman said. “Hopefully that continues. I need three more to get 40 in the regular season, but I still don’t understand why they don’t count playoff games.”
The way things are going, Sherman will have a chance to improve his postseason numbers as well.
The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback has endured an injury-marred season. But it was a banged-up secondary that prompted the Bucs to sign him as a free agent in September.
Despite not having an offseason workout program, a training camp or a preseason, Sherman played three games in 12 days as the starting cornerback until a hamstring gave out.
He attempted to return several games later but pulled a calf muscle in warmups before a Nov. 14 game at Washington. By the time Sherman returned to health, so had starting cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting.
But Sherman’s biggest contribution to the Bucs may be what he brings to the defensive backs room as much as what he does on the field. The young secondary lacked a seasoned veteran who could show players how to study film and learn the nuances of the position.
“He’s a very intelligent guy, a very intelligent football player,” defensive coordinator Todd Bowles said. “You don’t play in the league this long (Sherman is in his 11th season) without understanding the game and being very cerebral. … He always takes advantage of situations. That’s why he loves to play.
“He has a lot of valuable experience from a technique standpoint and how to read things, splits and everything going on for the younger guys in the room, teaching them how to watch film with the coaches. So it’s been a valuable thing.”
Sherman played only 20 snaps on defense Sunday, lining up primarily as an extra safety in nickel and dime packages after cross-training at safety last week. He didn’t record a tackle. He missed one and was removed from the game on the next play. The tackling angles, where your eyes are focused, are much different at safety than at cornerback.
“It’s football, so I felt good about going in,” Sherman said. “Anytime you’re on the football field, I still understand the concepts. I understand the defense. It’s just a different spot on the field, a different adjustment, different communication. But I felt good. Obviously, it was a limited capacity. They kept the playbook small when I was out there, and I appreciated that. I had a good time.”
The postseason experience Sherman brings will help in the lead-up to the playoffs, as the Bucs try to secure the top seed in the NFC.
“I’ve been in the mix. I’ve been part of three Super Bowl teams, and in three of them we’ve been the (No. 1) seed and got the bye in the playoffs,” he said. “But it feels good. You feel the energy from the veterans, you feel guys preparing for that last run. They know what it takes. You know once these (last) four (regular-season) games are over … a new season is beginning.”
Sherman said he will be ready, if needed, for any role.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “I’m having fun. I’m thankful the Bucs took a shot on me and gave me a chance to play the game I love and be on a team that’s in contention to win a championship. It’s definitely a different role than I’m used to, but I’m grateful, just like I was when I took every snap.”
Contact Rick Stroud at rstroud@tampabay.com. Follow @NFLSTROUD.
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