Has the Lito smear campaign begun?

by JasonB on Apr 22, 2008 9:46 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

This seems to happen far too often to just be coincidence. We see it every year, a guy leaves or is about leave the Eagles and suddenly stories start popping up about how he was a problem for once reason or another. So should this story come as any surprise?

But again, there really is no decision to make. Sheppard, who isn't taking part in the team's offseason conditioning program, repeatedly has declined to respond to requests for comment, as has his agent group, headed by Peter Schaffer. Sheppard is said to be convinced he will be traded during the draft, at the latest. If Sheppard really thought the Birds might just decide to keep him and force him to play under his current deal, he would almost certainly be commenting - loudly and at length.

Looking back, the trade of the most successful defensive draft pick of Reid's tenure probably was set in motion at least as far back as the Dec. 2 loss to Seattle on a sloppy, resodded Lincoln Financial Field. Sheppard, still feeling the effects of an MCL injury suffered in the season opener, seemed to be having even more trouble than most players planting and cutting. Eventually he was removed from the game, and ended up in an animated sideline exchange with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.

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More than 4 months later, it has become plain that the team and Sheppard differed in their assessments of his injury; there are people in the organization who say Sheppard's displeasure over his contract was bothering him at least as much as his knee.

This isn't a new revelation, but it's still interesting to see stuff like this being floated out right now.

I think it's safe to say, that Lito Sheppard jersey in your closet is going to be obsolete in about 4 days...

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Umm...

Could they have at least waited until after he was traded? This isn't exactly a good way to get top-dollar for him.

Unless, of course, the deal is already in place.

http://www.sportsdork.com

by BFH on Apr 22, 2008 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

one last time...

Lito, Lito, Lito Lito
Litoooo Litooooo

Ok I'm done. See ya 26

Its a new season!

by 700 Level on Apr 22, 2008 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for everything, Lito.

Eagles fans will always remember this moment:

INTERCEPTED!!! INTERCEPTED!!! RUNNING WITH THE FOOTBALL DOWN THE LEFT SIDELINE!! TO THE 50, 40, 30, 20!! IT'S LITO SHEPPARD, RAISING THE BALL AS HE DIVES INTO THE ENDZONE!!

When I made the choice that I did I thought I was doing the right thing, not going to Vegas and drinking for two or three days. ---Tony Romo

by BrianS on Apr 22, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

For sure

One of the great regular season moments ever.

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by JasonB on Apr 22, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

subject

This is stupid. Lito is/was a good player for us. You can't blame injuries on the player. Plus, I don't know where all these grumblings about his contract are coming from. All I hear is "Lito isn't happy" but we haven't seen or heard ANYTHING from Lito since Asante got signed. All a bunch of ridiculousness.

by yomjoseki on Apr 22, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

thoughts

I'm quite sure he'll be traded, and very soon... I'm hoping we atleast get a player in return, but it wouldn't suprise me if it was just for pick(s). We'll see. Anyway, I agree with BFH... It probably would have been prudent to wait until after the trade to start with this stuff. The whole, "Well his injury is worse than what he is letting on" doesn't really help his trade value.

I've got nothing but respect for Lito. He is the best CB we've had in years and he's always played the game the right way. I'm sure he wasn't too thrilled with his contract, but when we gave Asante the key to the vault, I'm sure that twisted the knife a little deeper. Although I suspect that seeing how the organization handled T.O. and how Cicny is handling Chad, he thought it would be better to keep everything out of the media and wait and see what happens... which is the right thing to do. This doesn't surprise me, he's a pretty stand up guy.

As far as the incident on the sideline. Can you really fault him? I'm sure he just wanted to get in and play and wasn't too thrilled about being pulled... no big deal. I wish him well wherever he goes, except when he lines up across from us.

Maybe we should get in touch with the Raiders... They seem to be making a collection of high priced/injury prone/destructive/over compensated players. I hear they have a high draft pick... After their offseason signing spree, they won't need that anymore :-) Also, after watching Hall get burnt for the first three weeks of the season, they'd be happy to be able to replace him with Lito.

by foos05 on Apr 22, 2008 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe, but why?

There's no real reason to smear the guy now; everybody has expected a trade for months. As mentioned above, I've never heard LITO complain about his contract, which is why I think there is an outside chance he could stay. Reid could say to him, "Look, you're great when you're healthy, but you're never healthy. Be a good soldier, play the nickel, return punts, play all 16 games and we'll renegotiate after the season."

I do wonder if this scenario causes the Eagles to rethink their usual M.O. of tearing up rookie contracts early and signing guys to long deals. It seems like a colossal pain in the ass in the long run.

by Tracer Bullet on Apr 22, 2008 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

renegotiate what though?

his contract? why would we renegotiate his contract and pay him a boat load of money to be a nickel corner? also, say he did hang this season, played in 15 games, and played well... when renegotiation time came around, he'd want to go back to being a starter, then we're back in the same scenerio. I just don't see it happening.

Only one reason I see keeping him this year... Hope to god he stays healthly, and plays well when he sees action so he can be traded in the offseason next year. And while it's great if that happens, you also run the risk of him being injured again and his value going lower.

Maybe they can get Brown to move to safety after this year, but if that was their intention, why not do it now and forego all this hastle? i just don't see it man...

by foos05 on Apr 22, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I admit it's unlikely, but

I think you have to pay three CBs as starters in today's NFL. He's not going to get Asante Samuel money. He'll probably never get Samuel money, but he -- and probably Brown too -- can certainly get a substantial raise.

Or, the team could just say, "You're not going anywhere. Shut up and play."

by Tracer Bullet on Apr 22, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

agree but

i agree you need to pay 3 CBs... and Brown will probably get a raise, but Lito will pull out the "Pro Bowl CB" card and compare his current contract to Clements/Hall/Samuel, and that's what he's going to want...

by foos05 on Apr 22, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

This is sad news

I’m a big fan of Lito and felt that if we wrapped up the draft weekend and both he & Sheldon were still on our roster, it was a good weekend.

Eagles are known for locking good young talent in long term early in their careers for what ends up being near bargain values.

My concern is the fallout of how the Lito situation is handled. He wants a new deal, with several years remaining on his contract. Eagles don’t want to give him a new deal, so they trade him away where he presumably gets to negotiate a new deal.

Assuming he finds success in this process, what parade of Eagles will follow his lead going into future seasons?

by Illadelph on Apr 23, 2008 11:05 AM EDT reply actions