Former Bucs CB Leaves Door Open For Potential NFL Return

The harm bug bit the Bucs repeatedly in 2021. The cornerback place felt the brunt of it early within the season, which left the entrance workplace looking for solutions. A kind of potential solutions ended up being five-time Professional Bowl choice Richard Sherman, who was signed to a one-year deal after spending the early a part of the season as a free agent.

Sherman was wanted instantly. He performed 98% of the Bucs’ defensive snaps in opposition to the Patriots simply days after signing. He then performed two extra video games earlier than struggling an harm that stored him out till December. The veteran nook ultimately returned and noticed temporary motion in a few video games late within the season.

However he largely labored in a mentorship/teaching position for the younger cornerbacks in Tampa Bay’s locker room. That was a task he was particularly good at. He even wore a headset for the Bucs’ 38-3 win over the Bears in October whereas the staff had coaches lacking as a consequence of COVID-19 instances.

Not way back, it grew to become clear that Sherman would transition into broadcasting when his taking part in days got here to an finish. And in a Tuesday night time look on NFL Network, he confirmed that he will likely be working as a part of Amazon’s NFL broadcasting crew this season. The 34-year-old did, nonetheless, say he could be staying in form in order that he could possibly be prepared if a staff comes calling for him late within the season.

“I’m nonetheless leaving that door open, you realize, so long as I can. I’m clearly gonna maintain coaching and keep in form,” Sherman mentioned. “However you’ve bought to take the alternatives after they’re there. That is [an] wonderful alternative with Amazon, so I couldn’t go it up. However I’m gonna depart that door open. If someone desires to name [in] late December they usually want some assist, [I’m] blissful to assist.”

Bucs To Blame For Sherman’s Damage-Riddled 2021 Season?

Sherman’s tenure with the Bucs was short-lived, particularly by way of his on-field position. With accidents to Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay introduced Sherman in for its Week 4 matchup in Foxboro in opposition to the Patriots. After simply three days of observe, he performed a serious half within the protection.

His duties grew even larger, too, when Carlton Davis III went down in the course of the sport. It was a tricky place to be in. Nevertheless, Sherman made probably the most of it, recovering a fumble and recording seven tackles. The Bucs gained, 19-17, to provide Tom Brady a victory over his former staff and enhance their report to 3-1.

After taking part in such a excessive proportion of snaps in that Week 4 win, he as soon as once more performed 98% of the protection’s snaps in Week 5. The Bucs gained that sport, 45-17, over the Dolphins. The next week, Sherman left the staff’s 28-22 win over the Eagles with a hamstring harm. He didn’t return till a Week 14 over the Payments. In that sport, he got here via together with his lone interception as a member of the Bucs. He then hit injured reserve once more in January, ending his eleventh NFL season early.

In his look on NFL Community, he appeared to throw a little bit of blame the Bucs’ approach for his hamstring harm. It was out of necessity, after all, however the staff did have him play three video games in 12 days instantly after signing. When requested about his well being proper now, he mentioned he has one thing left to provide if a staff places him in the precise place. That was when he hinted that the Bucs might have put him in a not-so-favorable place.

“I’m good to go. So long as they don’t throw me in there for 3 straight video games recent off the streets, I’ve bought one thing within the tank,” Sherman mentioned. “However proper now, I’m actually excited and targeted on this Amazon alternative. It’s the primary time you get to speak the sport [and] really feel the ambiance.”