Lito ready for 'wherever'
Lito Sheppard says he will be ready to play "wherever that may be" during a football camp in his hometown of Jacksonville.
Lito ready for 'wherever'
Josh Barnett
Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard skipped all but the mandatory minicamp this offseason and has not addressed his situation with reporters since late May.
Sheppard hosted a daylong free fitness camp for several hundred children in his hometown of Jacksonville this weekend. Patriots receiver and ex-Eagle Jabar Gaffney, also a Jacksonville native, helped run the event. And they both deserve credit for doing that.
Sheppard was asked by a local television station about his status with the Eagles. (You can access the video from the link above, too.)
"That part of the business has to take care of itself," Sheppard said. "I'm just preparing myself to play, wherever that might be, but I'm going to be ready."
Of course, the thing that stands out is the phrase "wherever that might be." Hard to know what his intent was, without being able to ask any follow-up questions.
Perhaps, Sheppard is just being realistic as trade rumors persist, despite assertions by Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson that Sheppard remains a big part of the Eagles' plans. Perhaps, Sheppard is girding himself for the possibility that he might not be with the team. Perhaps, it means nothing.
However, Sheppard's status will continue to be a talking point as the offseason continues and training camp approaches. Sheldon Brown, Sheppard's fellow corner, was sure that Sheppard would show up for the start of camp for one reason: the fines for not showing up.
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In other charitable endeavors by Eagles players, safety Sean Considine was back in Illinois for the Considine Charity Classic golf tournament.
He weighed in on several subjects in a story in the Rockford Register
* On Lito Sheppard: “Right now we have three of the best corners in the NFL. It’s hard to get three guys on the field every snap at corner, but we will come up with different packages to get people on the field. It’s still up in the air what’s going to happen with Lito. He was a little upset over the deal. He didn’t make our last optional workouts. We’ll see how it all pans out. The bottom line is we have three great players. We’d love to have Lito, but this is a business. You never know what will happen.”
* On the safety situation, where he is listed as the backup to Quintin Mikell at strong safety: “They didn’t bring in any other safeties, but the guy who took my spot played well. I have to come back and prove that I’m healthy and can get through a season on this shoulder. It’s a little bit of an uphill climb right now, but that’s how I like it. We’ll see what happens. Last year, Quentin, who took my spot, played in all 16 games, because I was hurt and (free safety) Brian Dawkins was hurt. I’m going to have an opportunity to win my spot back. Even if I don’t, I will play.”
Comment removed.
The Eagles need all three players right now. To win a Super Bowl you have to be great in at least one area look at the Giants "D" Line last year. I see Sheldon playing some Safety.— 4everphillyfanlou- Im with you Traug..... Lito will play hard and either earn a new deal (fine with me) or have his stock raise and be worth trading. He didnt play much last year and word is.... he didnt even when he could have. He needs to work this year, he's a pro and so he will.— stevo8drum
- WWAD What would Andy do?— wildebill
- the truth is this is a business not 2 get emotional either way. he breaks my heart sometimes but andy's system for the most part works. my only beef is we need short yardage power running. since duce left mcnabb has been dropping back on short yardage & goal line. until we can punch people n the mouth from the offensive backfield as well we will gobble up yards put up points fast tire the defense out & blow leads & leave our games to overtime coin flips like we been doing for the better part of the 2000's. jimmy & andy do their thing no matter who comes or goes but all the schemes n the world can't beat a good punch n the mouth. basic football. 3rd & goal from the 1 r we going to fool them with another qb option or can we finally punch someone n the mouth and dare them to do something about it. i'm sure david akers loves the spotlite but it would lower my blood pressure if we didn't always rely on him. not knocking westbrook, he's carried way more than he let us down when healthy but you could help him mcnabb the defense & the city with a bully n the backfield.— n.philly.via.sattelite.n.atl
