Lito Sheppard isn't starting, but he wants to be

by JasonB on Sep 2, 2008 9:58 AM EDT in News Comment 16 comments

The preseason is now over and it appears that Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel will start at corner this Sunday against the Rams. Of course, that leaves former pro bowler Lito Sheppard relegated to #3 on the depth chart... Why is that Lito?

"That's a good question, you should ask that right now,'' Sheppard said, when reporters asked him why he felt he wasn't starting. "Given the reasons supposedly - my injuries, me not being able to stay on the field - with that not being an issue [currently], what is the issue? That's a good question for y'all to bring up.''

Lito made is fairly clear that he wants to start, whether it's here or somewhere else.

"I'm worried about today," he said. "I'm just doing things I need to do to prepare for the season. Where that is -- or however that works out -- is yet to be determined, but I'm going to be ready to play."

Even though he's unhappy, it seems like Lito is adopting the attitude we all hoped he would. If you want the big money, the starting job, and the accolades... go out on the field and take them.

"I can definitely showcase my talent and if I'm not starting, prove that I should be, so you guys can ask the questions why I'm not,"

Everyone's favorite agent wieghed in with his thoughts on Lito being relegated to the third CB role.

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my thoughts

how many balls was it this preseaon i saw hit your hands then hit the ground lito? at least 3

by 0sirys on Sep 2, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts

Lito Sheppard-Sheppard signed an 8 year, $26,314,000 deal during the 2004 season that included an 8.7 mil signing bonus prorated over 6 years. As part of his rookie deal, he received a 3.4 mil signing bonus prorated over 5 years. His cap numbers are as follows:
2004: $2,610,750 (480.75K base salary+680K proration+1.45 mil proration)
2005: $2,661,000 (531K basae salary+680K proration+1.45 mil proration; $8,610,000 dead money if cut)
2006: $2,742,250 (612,250 base+680K pro.1.45 mil proration; $6,480,000 dead money if cut)
2007: $2,450,000 (1 mil base salary1.45 mil proration; $4,350,000 dead money if cut)
2008: $3,450,000 (2 mil base salary+1.45 mil proration; $2,900,000 dead money if cut)
2009: $4,450,000 (3 mil base salary+1.45 mil proration; $1,450,000 dead money if cut)
2010: $3,700,000 (base salary)
2011: $4,250,000 (base salary)

that’s a lot of money you greedy bastard. you work half of the year and make more than pretty much everyone in the US. and what do you do? play a game. i’im so sick of these players crying that they don’t make enough money…lito might not be starting, but he will be seeing a lot of playing time…jj isn’t stupid…he knows lito is good.

by eagleyosh on Sep 2, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for those words, you took it right out of my mouth

that’s a lot of money you greedy bastard.

Its not like he is grossely under paid. He is making good change, he is just hating that other are making more. Imagine that you apply for a job that pays 100k/ year 4 years, you accept the job. Then you perform well, and they bump you up to 200k/year for 6 years. You are as happy as a fly in poop that you got that raise. Now 4 years later, that same job hires some one at 700k/ year for 8 years. And a few of your hommies accepts jobs for 500/year. I know it will piss you off, but you were making good money when you signed your contract, you cant complain and you know that what everyone else makes is none of your business. Of course you would be upset at yourself for accepting that job, but you cant march into the front office and say you don’t want to work. They would just fire your butt and hire someone else at your salary.

Lito, shut up. When you signed your contract, they Eagles were paying better than other players on the squad. No one was complaining about what you were making were they. Other CB in the league didn’t say, hey Lito is making good money, maybe I should hold out just to make what Lito is making, he’s just in his second year and making more than me.

No, people were happy you got yours, Now that you got yours, now you want what everyone else has. That is just GREEDY. You were young and unproven, the Eagles took a shot with you, didn’t they. They gave you money that others weren’t giving. You spent that cash and had a good time, while others worked there butts off and got less. Now you want to complain. Shut up dude, play ball, if you deserve it, you’ll get it. Stop crying like a little third grader who got gagged on a bad Pokemon cards deal.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Sep 2, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you signed your contract, they Eagles were paying better than other players on the squad. No one was complaining about what you were making were they.

great point

by Remis on Sep 2, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

2008/2009 the body bag season

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Sep 3, 2008 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget ...

… his 1st round rookie bonus of $3.4 million in 2002, and $100K roster bonuses in 2002 and 2003 to go with his rookie salary structure, and his Pro-Bowl raise of $500K every year for 2007 and beyond based on his 2006 appearance.

By the end of this year, he will have earned over $18.5 million playing for the Eagles, with $11 million more on the books. If he stays next year, he will have earned $22 million by the end of the 2009 season + interest and the intangibles of creature comforts he’s enjoyed since he got paid early.

Samuel has earned $10 million up to this year and will earn $8 million this year from the Eagles and $8 million next. Almost all that money comes in the 2007-2009 timeframe, so he’s had no chance to earn 5-20% per year investing, and until last year had very little money to enjoy the high life relative to other players.

by Andrew B on Sep 2, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My problem with Lito is not so much that he wants more money… it’s that he thinks he’ll get it. Whether it’s here or elsewhere. No one is going to pay Lito Asante Samuel money. Not right now at least… Maybe if he has a great year and stays healthy he can launch himself into that pay bracket, but right now(which is when he’s whining) it’s just not going to happen.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Sep 2, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You know what, if I were the Eagles, I would start Lito and Brown and use Asante as Nickle

Just for the first play of the game, just to shut Lito up. Asante can care less if he’s the nickel, he is getting paid mad bucks and isn’t going anywhere. Then bring in Asante the second play, and put Lito as the Nickel. I would do that just to that Lito can say he is a starter, and would shut up.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Sep 2, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pretty sure that won't work.

by Whodie126 on Sep 2, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probrably won't, but thats what I would do

Its kinda like making him an honarary starter. Who really cares who starts.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Sep 2, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i still don’t know why we don’t put Sheldon Brown at SS. he’s hinted at really wanting to be moved over there, he can hit, he’s physical, can be an effective run stuffer (pry is already, didn’t pay much attention to that aspect of him) alittle undersized for that position but so are the best safeties in the game(IMO) Sanders and Polamalu, and we all know he can cover.
i’d be all for putting at SS now, the guy is a gamer, he’ll figure it out by mid-season, and we’ll definitly have the best defensive backfield in the game if all this happens.
and if that happens, obviously lito will shut up cuz he’ll be starting, and it’ll be kind of like “we did u a favor, Lito. So for now shut up and ball” and i’ll think he’ll do it at least for this season. but that’s not why we would make this move, as much as i LOVE Sheldon, he’s probably one of the most respected atheletes on this team. he is not better than Lee-toe, i think we all agree on that.

by Remis on Sep 2, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Sheldon is better than Lito.

by Whodie126 on Sep 2, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I’ve heard, so do a lot of people within the Eagles organization, but they simply won’t come out and say it. I’ve heard a few back channel ideas that as long as Lito has a productive year, they will trade him and then plan on giving Brown the type of contract Lito was looking for…. Who knows if it’s true… but it would be interesting.

by foos05 on Sep 2, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, starting him over Lito is pretty much saying just that right? That he’s better?

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Sep 2, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so u guys think that lito would be better at safety than sheldon? cuz what i was saying was that if sheldon starts at safety, and lito at RCB, then everyone would be happy

by Remis on Sep 2, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs