Lito Sheppard Traded to Jets

Lito Sheppard has been traded to the New York Jets for a 2009 fifth round pick and a 2010 conditional pick depending on Lito's playing time. The pick will range anywhere from a 2nd and 4th rounder.

Link: CSN Philly

Lito was owed $3 million this year in the last year of his contract. Sure, it is not a lot, but it is almost pointless for both parties to remain together. Lito dropped to 4th on the depth chart and was even deactivated during the playoffs.

Also, it looks like Brian Dawkins is all but officially a Bronco.

Ugh, such a bad image.

Continuing reading...

Eagles Lose Meaningless Game to Steelers

Yes Birds fans. Football season is officially here for your 2008 Philadelphia Eagles. And what better way to celebrate it is with a loss to in-state rival Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-10.

Donovan McNabb looked very sharp under center as he went 10-13 and throwing 97 yards for a TD in a little over a quarter of play. His TD hit FB Jason Davis, a 3 yard score in the 2nd. Running back Brian Westbrook did not play, despite getting his new 3 year, $21 million deal.

Filling in at half back were Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker, Ryan Moats, and Tony Hunt. All 4 of those backs are fighting for roster spots. None of them did anything spectacular except maybe Buck, who had 3 catches.

Desean Jackson did the best of the receivers. He looked very good as he reeled in 5 passes for 51 yards. His longest reception came on a 19 yard pass. He showed great speed and good ability to get open up the middle.

On the other side of the ball, rookie Trevor Laws from Notre Dame had the teams only sack. The defense didn't look too great on the first drive, getting no pressure on Ben Rothlisberger and had a lot of trouble containing Willie Parker and even back up Rashard Mendenhall.

Lito Sheppard didn't look terrible but he did nothing to prove he is "deserving" of a new contract. He did, however, play tighter on the receivers, not giving them any cushion. He drew a personal foul for face masking on the first drive though, and obvious poor decision after allowing Parker to bounce outside.

The Eagles continue their preseason as they play the Panthers on Thursday, August 14.

Continuing reading...

Sheppard "Hurt" By Lurie's Words

Often-injured corner back Lito Shepard is upset with his contract and has made the team known of that for a while. To make matters worse, he no claims he's "hurt" by owner Jeffrie Lurie's commitment to making running back Brian Westbrook happy. I guess it also won't help that Westbrook got his contract today.

In Lurie's "State of the Franchise Address" earlier this week, he said that Westbrook out-performed his 5 year, $25 million contract he received in 2005 and is considered one of Lurie's favorite players on the team.

Sheppard, on the other hand, hasn't played an injury free season since 2004, the same year he signed his 8 year, $26 million deal. But what irked the former Pro Bowl corner the most was that Lurie used a peculiar stat to discredit Sheppard, instead of his inability to stay healthy.

He said that Sheppard's YPA (Yards per attempt) was too high, a weak reason indeed. "I guess he has got to find something bad against me, huh?" said Sheppard. "If you have to dig that deep to find something I'm not good at than that shows you how good of a player I am."

Sheppard may be right. He is a very talented corner with play making ability. He is also a better athlete than Sheldon Brown. But he is injury prone. He can not stay healthy. He can not expect to be rewarded for being injury prone. If he played full seasons the last 3 years then yes he can complain.

It seems that Lurie and Sheppard both have no clue what they are arguing about for whether or not Lito deserves this deal. Lurie has always been cheap. He screwed T.O., almost pissed off Westy, and now has found a bull shit excuse to not pay Lito when he could have easily said, "Look. You get hurt too much."

Hey Lito. Play 16 games and perform the way you have when healthy and I can see that cheap son of a bitch actually rewarding you. But remember. You have to earn it.

Continuing reading...

Training Camp News 7-25

Purposely, I am not going in-depth regarding the Eagles training camp right now (maybe Sunday). Why? Well we have, sorry had, a first place baseball team at this point in the year for the first time in a long time. However, they're trying their best to get the talk off themselves and back on football with their poor play.

Good news: Lito Sheppard and Brian Westbrook both did the right thing and reported to training camp. I think they understand that good antics combined with good performance = monetary rewards.

Bad news: Shawn Andrews has been placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list today. Andrews did not report to camp yesterday for "personal reasons", but it is said that it was an unexcused absence. Also, McNabb's shoulder is still "tender" and being monitored.

And about Favre...

Andy Reid responded succinctly this morning to a published report that the Packers called the Eagles regarding a potential trade for Brett Favre. "They called and there is no interest on our part whatsoever." [Philadelphia Eagles]

The Eagles will conduct their annual conditioning test today.

Continuing reading...

Next Player.

Is this where everything begins to unravel? CSN reports that disgruntled cornerback Lito Sheppard has hired asshole agent Drew Rosenhaus. The Eagles confirmed the hiring on their website and both sides have said they have had positive conversations. Rosenhaus has ensured the Eagles that Lito will be at training camp.

Now, if you're expecting this saga to take a TO turn for the worst, I would not expect it. Lito has never been as mouthy or a blatant jerk off like Owens. At least there have been no reports of it. Rosenhaus has been an asshole, 9 out of 10 agents seem to be, but he usually represents the better players in the league, players always looking for more money to base off their better performance.

As of right now, we know Asante Samuel is the starting left corner, but it has yet to be decided on who will be the right corner. Lito or Sheldon? Jimmie Johnson feels all three will be on the field quite often regardless and they will be interchangeable with different packages. What happens remains to be seen, but lets just hope this time, it is a happy ending.

Continuing reading...

Sheppard Skips OTAs

Lito Sheppard has decided to skip the Eagles' final OTA, which was voluntary. Not much to write about here. We all know that he's disgruntled. He's upset with a contract that he signed previously. A contract that continually pays him when he's standing on the sidelines with street clothes. That same contract. [Comcast Sportsnet]

This is the usual NFL temper-tantrum that players put on. I understand they do not have a guaranteed contract, but neither do I nor the average working human being. If he holds out for anything mandatory, then you can worry a little bit, but right now, it is just the typical NFL temper-tantrum. Dear NFL players, if you don't like the future of your contract when you sign it, don't sign it. NFL teams, at least I do not believe so, will not hold a gun to your head.

Continuing reading...

Expect a Sheppard Trade

It looks like the Eagles are fielding offers from the Saints, Rams, and Buccaneers. The Saints second round pick (#40) seems to be the best offer available. The Eagles are in love with Vanderbilt offensive tackle, Chris Williams, and they may used their first round pick and their acquired pick to move up. The likely target would be the Buffalo Bills who want to trade down and draft Devin Thomas.

There were rumors that the Buccaneers were going to add WR Michael Clayton to their offer, but the Eagles are not interested in him. The Rams were not willing to trade their second round pick (#33) in the draft.

Draft day is finally here and it will begin at 3pm today. We already know that Jake Long, an offensive tackle out of Michigan, is the first overall pick.

Continuing reading...

Lito a Buc?

According to Fox Sports.com, Lito Sheppard is likely to be traded by Saturday to Tampa Bay. The trade would bring back a second round pick plus an additional pick or player.

Some people think Lito would bring more, but seriously guys, Lito is an oft-injured corner who is young, but not that young and a second round pick plus another pick or a player is suffice. Also, I think the Eagles would have a better chance of using that second round pick with their first to move up rather than Lito because that team would have to offer a new contract to Lito.

Continuing reading...

Sheppard for a WR?

Don't count on it. According to Mark Eckel, the Eagles have received significant offers for Lito Sheppard, but they plan on waiting until draft day to see if they can package Sheppard with the #19 pick to move up in the draft.

If the Eagles are able to pull of a trade to move up to 9 or 10, expect them to draft OT Chris Williams from Vanderbilt. Also, you could see them draft another play-making cornerback because they will have to fill the hole that Sheppard leaves.

I would not expect the Eagles to draft a Wide Receiver with their first round pick. Devin Thomas and James Hardy look enticing, but I'd only see the Eagles picking one of the two if they moved back in the first round.

Continuing reading...

Sheppard Denies Trade Rumor

Lito Sheppard has denied requesting a trade. In fact, he thought it was a joke.

After a report surfaced that Sheppard is seeking a trade from the Eagles, Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn called the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback to seek its validity.

“He told me he knew nothing about this,” Gunn said Monday on the 6:30 p.m. SportsNite. “As a matter of fact, he thought I was joking until he realized that I wasn’t.”

[Comcast Sportsnet]

Continuing reading...