With Julio Jones in town, Alabama football assistant head coach JaMarcus Shephard is willing to step aside. Maybe even eager.
Over the weekend, the legendary Alabama wide receiver could be seen walking into his old stomping grounds with the team to face Georgia. He debated giving words of wisdom to the men suited up to go to battle, but ultimately retreated, according to Shephard, who also serves the Crimson Tide as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.
“He came to me and said, ‘Hey, I was on the verge of saying something to the guys and talking to them … and I refrained from it because I don’t want to step on your toes,” Shephard said of Jones.
As far as Shephard was concerned, he had played “zero snaps” in the NFL, so who was he to stop a seven-time Pro Bowler from giving advice?
Nov 26, 2010; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones (8) avoids the tackle of Auburn Tiger safety Mike McNeil (26) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
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Shephard told Jones, “You’re one of the greatest wide receivers that any of them have really ever known.”
“You’ve earned that right by what you did here at the University of Alabama and what you did in the National Football League,” he said. “You would actually be doing me a disservice by not talking to them. So no, you say whatever during the game, after the game, before the game.
“If you want me to be quiet, Julio, you got it.”
Mar 6, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard gives directions during practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jamarcus-shephard-wants-alabama-receiving-202526742.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2024-10-02 20:25:26
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