Four Questions For an Eagles Blogger: Lito Sheppard Edition
I asked JasonB from BleedingGreenNation, the best Eagles blog out there about Lito Sheppard. Make sure tell your Eagles fans friends about it and to check in with BGN and tell them thanks.
TJB: From your end, do you think that the Eagles pulled one over on the Jets? Was this a win-win?
BGN: Reading the details of the deal, I really don’t think Eagles pulled anything on the Jets. It seems the Jets are well protected against Lito being a bust or getting hurt again. A 5th is probably worth finding out whether Lito can still play… and if he can then a 2nd is fair compensation. I don’t think the trade as it stands now is a “win-win” but it could be. Right now it’s a “wait and see” for both sides. After I really saw the details of the trade, I think that at the moment the Jets might have gotten the better of the deal at the moment simply because they’ve proteced themselves very well.
TJB: Explain what the dispute was between Lito Sheppard and the team. Was it solely contract related?
BGN:The Eagles signed Lito to a long term extension a few years into his rookie deal. He went on to make a couple pro bowls and decided that he had outperformed that contract. The Eagles position was that he signed a fair deal that still had several years left and they saw no reason to re-open negotiations. Plus, at this time Lito started having injury issues. Since 2005 he hasn’t been able to play a full season. He stayed healthy in 2008, but then again he played very little. The Eagles simply didn’t feel Lito had earned a raise, he did.
TJB: When I hear the name Lito Sheppard, my first thought is “good corner” but over the past few years Sheppard’s playing time has diminished substantially … was this due to player / management squabbles or does he have some holes in his game?
BGN:Well #1 is injuries. Since 2005 he’s missed 14 games(not including a few playoff games he missed) and he’s played hobbled in may of the games that he was dressed for. The injuries certainly seemed to play a part in his sruggles over the past 4 years. Plus, I think it would be foolish to say that his unhappiness hasn’t played a part. He stayed healthy last year but really played poorly when he did have a chance to get in the game. In fact, by midseason he had been demoted to the 4th corner spot. He was upset about his contract, upset at being demoted, and I think he was also upset at not being traded least year. Despite the injuries, I don’t believe that at 27 Lito Sheppard became a bad corner. I absolutely believe he was dogging it a bit and that his issues with the team affected his play. That said, he never really made a big public issue out of his unhappiness.
Now, that doesn’t speak a whole lot to his character… but I think it should give Jets fans some hope that this guy could ressurect himself with a change of scenery. Like I said, I don’t believe he just became a bad corner and now that he’s literally got a big contract waiting for him if he plays well I think he might be motivated to have a good year.
TJB: Where does Sheppard work the best? Press coverage? Deep in space … etc.
BGN: He’s definitely not a physical corner, his game is to use his speed and his ability to read the QB. He’s got good ball skills and when he was in pro bowl form he had great make up speed and solid leapiing ability. Plus, he’s got a real knack for the big play at the big moment.
43 Responses to Four Questions For an Eagles Blogger: Lito Sheppard Edition
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jared says:
leto’s gonna be a beast 4 the jets
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JetOrange says:
The important part of this deal, is that it is very cap friendly this year and that the Jets can walk away from this deal costing the team only a fifth round pick, if Sheppard gets hurt, doesn’t play well or Lowery is elevated to starter..
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Electric Ham says:
I think hell be motivated now with a nice new contract sitting in front of his nose if he plays well this season and should complement Revis nicely. Plus considering he barely played last year makes you believe hes gotta be injury free right now which is a good sign.
Off-topic:
Kurt Warner visiting SF today may have major ramifacations on the Jets future. If the niners go ahead and sign Kurt, barring another team jumping in front of the Jets in the draft, like it or not, there is a very good chance Mark Sanchez will be on the Jets sideline next year.
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Lito was a good corner and like many athletes got injured then got his feeling hurt and kind of dogged it.This is good trade for us. He is better than any other corner we have (other than our savior Revis) and if he does well great…if not we give up midto late round pivks to find out
Off-topic:
Just read a interview with B Scott where he says….and I quote:
If my mother was wearing the other teams jersey I would try and destroy her.
I need 11 players like that on my defense….sorry Mom!
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Or Ham…
It gives us a better chance to trade down and get out of 17 and pick up extra picks. Let someone else draft this kid.
WR’s are deep in this draft. We can get plenty of value if we trade out of 17 if Sanchez is there.
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eagles fans are upset because they felt they could of got better value for sheppard.
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JesusRevis says:
I agree too. However, maybe the Jets should try and trade up in the first round for one of the elite WR’s. If Crabtree begins slipping, or Maclin?
It seems like the Jets got a great deal in this trade for Sheppard.
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LamJones says:
Hoz et al.: Is that really true? Who else might have interest in a QB after pick #17?
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Yea I think that would be a great idea, however i dont think tanny has ever done that before has he? We do have a new coach now so things could change, but the past few years we are constantly trading up. (revis, keller, mangold??) which turned out to be great pick ups.
Trading down and picking up one of the WR’s and adding a mid round pick would be great, especially considering the patsies have 3 2nd rounders this year.
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Also im torn on drafting sanchez, I dont think i really want him but I wont btch and moan on draft day if we do get him.
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Jason Taylor-DL- Redskins Mar. 2 – 4:05 pm et
ESPNews reports that the Redskins have released DE Jason Taylor.
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No way he comes here tho, he said last offseason the Jets is the last place he would ever play for, what a d-bag
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I agree Revis….If a legit top WR like Crabtree or Maclin are near 17 we go up or hope he falls to us but I was assuming those guys would be gone….All of the other WR’s are the same to me late 1st early 2nd value….
Teams like Tampa, Minn or even Detroit if they dont pick a QB @ #1 will all be behind us needing a QB..We could even drop back into the 2nd with Seatlle of SF or Det again… Sanchez is not a player I want. If the top WR are gone lets get picks and move back….This draft is deep
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Zartan says:
You guys are killing me with no Sanchez. Do you want a solid QB or do you want franchise. Sanchez is top 10 talent that may drop to us at 17 but is highly unlikely cause we are the jets. I’D rather take Sanchez and the guy goes down for one game and we find that Ratliffs a studd but for these guys to go threw the season and watch Sanchez do great things and then dream of him like your doing of Cutler who i so wanted to draft ,would kill me. remember guys,this is a luxury pick and we should take the best player there QB,WR or who ever.
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Ham, the Jets didnt trade up for Mangold, the ydrafted im with the 29th pick which they got from Atlanta in the John Abraham trade. You can add David Harris to that list though of players Tannenbaum traded up for.
Jason Taylor would probably play OLB in a 3-4 scheme, and we aleady have enough of those, and Taylor is a punk and hates the Jets anyway, so no thank you.
Drew, if Crabtree starts falling outside of the top 5-10, maybe because he chose to get surgery, then that would have a trickle down effect on Maclin. If either of the 2 WR’s are still available around picks 8-10, then the Jets could trade up for similar compensation they gave up for Revis.
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I have a feeling the Jets are staying put or go back this year unless something dramatic happens….Ryan might have a little more say than we think. I think he wants to keep picks and possibly gain some…..I hope Sanchez falls and we get the hell out of there…let him be someone elses mistake. I just dont see the guy being a bigtime QB
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Chris says:
Why Crabtree?? Just curious. I don’t like Maclin because, well, I don’t want another barely 6 ft Wr. But he’s a gamebreaker for sure but in this offense, I think we can rely on Leon for that. We need a big body opposite Cotch, let Keller split the seams and just see if Clowney can be the flier.
So, I clearly like Heywerd-Bey, or Nicks better than any. I’d go 1-2 with them on the chart.
But I don’t see the love for Crabtree anymore. Honestly. Spend that high a pick on a Wr with a foot injury?? A guy who’s slower and shorter than advertised? And one who played in a pass happy offense in a horrible defensive league…why???
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I actually think Maclin would fit perfectly in our offense. I know its hard to judge Crabtree and Maclin because both played in such pass happy offenses that their numbers are clearly skewed. But I love Maclins speed, explosiveness and athletic ability. He was very impressive in almost every game for Missouri, and his highlight tape will blow your mind. Jet fans have been begging for a fast, vertical threat to complement Cotchery, isnt Maclin just that?
I like Nicks as well, but he may be a reach at 17, if we traded down and got him later, then that would be a different story. Heyward-Bay I like too, but again, definitely a reach at 17.
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ICDogg says:
Lito is a huge question mark. I question his attitude and dedication. He has accomplished less than his less talented counterpart on the Eagles, Sheldon Brown. He has good speed and good instincts for the ball, though.
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Brabble says:
Hakeem Nicks!
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jetfavre says:
Off topic: but it seems TJ Whosyourdaddy is leaning toward Seattle. This clearly effects their draft needs aka Crabtree. Why dont the jets trade up a few picks and take a true number one that we need since it seems he may possibly fall a few spots. not to mention how much more confident jets fans will feel with a KC or Brett v2. Seems not too far out of the realm of possibility.. thoughts?????
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Coles and Moss were those guys. Coles turned into a possession guy and we never had the Qb to throw the ball and let these guys run underneath it. And to be honest, that really isn’t practical in this stadium.
You want a big physical guy who can get down the field and who can go across the middle and pick balls out of the air all over the field. Maclin cannot do that. And on bubble screens, etc. where I see his biggest pro value, well I like Leon there. And I think Clowney is at least good enough to keep on as a #3/4 and play situationally for plays like that. Heywerd-Bey also had a 4.3 forty time and very respectable shuttles, so I’m, ok with his speed, especially at 6’2 210. If they can trade down and still get one, so be it. This first round is loaded, so it’s quite possible. But if they can’t, I actually don’t view it as a reach.
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jetfavre, I just said the same exact thing a few posts up.
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as far a Lito is concerned how can anyone even be remotely concerned. its a test run. a one year test run. And if hes gunna play for anyojne its Rex. Anyone read the praises Rex got from every single member of that monster ravens D. I am completely at ease. I think lito will shape up. Rex has an aura that just spreads hard work, defense, and punishment. i love it
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well jesus revis. great minds think alike. didnt spend my time reading all 50 comments. was watching SportsCenter and thought about it. good job amigo. lets go jets.
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Im a fan of a lot of WR’s in this draft so most likely I think i’ll be pleased with our results. I do like Nicks over heyward-Bay though, and I am a DHB fan.
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Electric Ham says:
Revis,
Yea i wasnt sure if we had traded up for mangold thats why i put the question marks, i thought we had because we had 2 1st round picks, I forgot about DH, we have been very productive with our trade-ups.
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I agree, if Tannenbaum really likes a player he has shown he’s willing to trade up for them, and I have no problem with that strategy.
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mbi says:
WR pool is very deep this year (complete opposite of last year where no WR’s were taken in the first round). I have no problem with the jets trading up for Crabtree – if we wasnt injured and ran the 40 he would be a top 3 pick. I also like Hakeem Nicks along with everyone else and Kenny Britt from Rutgers who is 6’4″ 215 and a smooth athlete. As some aluded to above if Sanchez falls I would prefer to see the jets trade out of that spot and see someone trade back up into the first round to take him a la the browns selection of Brady Quinn a few years ago. The front office has once again done a nice job filling in the gaps before the draft to provide flexibility. Still need a #1 receiver tho.
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Crabtree has natural skills and is a touchdown machine i dont care about his unknown speed if he falls around #10 i think it would be a mistake not to jump up and grab him
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zenlaw says:
Zartan, are you a USC alum? You’ve always been high on Sanchez, and I just don’t get it.
I agree that he showed some talent running the USC offense, but he had a tremendous amount of help. I need to see more from a QB than one year in college before taking that kind of risk.
I agree that he looks good so far, but to be so certain that he is a “franchise” QB seems over-reaching.
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SackDance99 says:
Sanchez is a bit of a mystery to me. I like what I see on film, but I’m worried about his arm strength. He anticipates real well, goes through his progressions with lightning speed…he reminds a lot of Chad with his defensive recognition skills and touch. But, those perfectly thrown passes that aren’t zipped in become INTs at the NFL-level. I’m with Pete Carroll, I would like to see more of him to better evaluate his arm strength. If he had Stafford’s arm, you’d be talking a premium QB that is only a small notch below the likes of Peyton, Palmer, Big Ben or Rivers. What do you Sanchez supporters think about his arm strength? I thought Rex was pretty clear about wanting a QB with the arm to withstand those winter Meadowlands winds.
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Brendan says:
I think the talk of Sanchez’ weak arm strength are exagerrated. I’ve watched most of his games, and there are times when he was able to power a ball into the receiver’s hands. He may not have a cannon strapped to his shoulder, but he isn’t like Chad where a ball could hit a strong wind head-on and start floating backwards.
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jim says:
i dont feel safe with our secondary, even if we sign leonhard. ivys not that good, but we should be monitoring samari rolle cause if he gets his wish and is cut we should try and ink him, plus at this point our first round pick is gonna b an offensive position so we need to get bowens back for a good price so we have some depth inside.. sign rolle once he gets cut!!
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Ghoshi says:
Sanchez isn’t worth the 17th pick. I have seen him play on quite a few ocassions and he is nothing special. He was helped by the talent that surrounded him. Average at best accuracy and the same goes for his arm strength . . . not too powerful arm. He won’t be able to survive the winds in the Meadowland. He is not the right choice.
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Lance Mehl says:
Brabble : Hakeem Hicks is right on ..
He’s got size, big play ability, and can go over the middle .. and he’s getting better .. a steal at #17 ..
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Jonathon says:
Just a little local perception, I watched every USC game last year, and saw a few practices, and I can tell you that Sanchez has a very strong arm. Some of the receivers even complained about him throwing the rock too hard! The coaching staff raved about his arm strength, even quoted them saying he has the strongest arm since Carson Palmer. The kid can throw a straight rope through defenders. Arm strength is not an issue with Sanchez.
The real question when evaluating this trade is, What other teams were talking to the Eagles? What were their offers? etc. To look at this or any other deal any other way is not being truthful. If we had more detail we would know if the value was right or we overpayed.
I believe the deal he has is more like a 1 year deal with a team option thereafter.