Sheppard coming to minicamp
Lito Sheppard apparently will attend the mandatory minicamp that starts tomorrow. Players are scheduled to check in later today.
Sheppard coming to minicamp
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Strong indications are that Lito Sheppard does indeed plan to attend the Eagles' mandatory minicamp this weekend.
Sheppard has been awaiting a trade that has not occurred and does not seem imminent. He could be fined if he were to sit out the minicamp, the only mandatory gathering for veterans until training camp starts in late July, but players trying to force trades or get contracts revised often use minicamp attendance as leverage. Although Eagles coach Andy Reid hinted last weekend that a revision of Sheppard's contract isn't out of the question, no such discussions are known to have taken place.
Reid said he would speak to the two-time Pro Bowl corner this week. Sheppard is unhappy with the contract extension he signed in 2004 that locks him up through 2011 at much less money than top corners now make, including Asante Samuel, signed by the Birds as a free agent, presumably to replace Sheppard.
Even if Sheppard continues to work under the contract he dislikes, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson faces the difficult task of finding suitable roles for Samuel, Sheppard, and longtime starter Sheldon Brown.
Brown has not returned calls seeking comment.
So far, the Lito situation has been much less of a circus than another salary dispute with a high-profile player a few years back. Remember that guy? Here's a bit of satire from The Onion, hypothesizing that player's reaction to his current team taking on a guy who's a bit of a character risk. (Sniff, sniff ... "That's my cornerback!")
If Lito blew out his knee in 2006 do you think he would be giving the $8 million signing bonus back? You signed a contract Lito, now honor it.— KMG- The Eagles sign theese guys early trying to get them on the cheap. No young player is going to turn down money and then they mature and think maybe it wasn;t the wisest choice....i say give him a raise. Make exceptions where it warranted......— Cant Climb
- The Eagles will redo his contract barring a trade. It has been reported that the reason Sheppard has shown up at camp is because of the talk he had with Andy Reid. What do you think Reid said to him... "We're gonna give you all the cheese you can eat?"— shmu65
- Andy just doesn't seem to communicate things and it can hurt as Troy said. Still, a contract is a contract. These guys could make the Eagles the best defensive backfield that they have had in years. Andy has to swallow his communication deficits and talk to all of these Million dollar players. Can you imagine Vince of yore complaining about $8 Million???— KGKoons
- The Eagles D has been swiss cheese when it really counts, trying to close out a game with the lead and blowing it. Plus Lito is always getting hurt. Samuel is way better. Dawkins is next to go. He is not as good as he used to be. Face it fans! Stop being sissies! When is the last time the D stopped a drive to win a game?— joedugan
- HAAA K "GO" I THINK I SMELL A RACIST, A___OLE, AND TAMPA IS HORRIBLE, THAT IT ALL— Will.i.Am
- SHEPPARD IS GREAT, ANYONE WHOSE SAYING OTHERWISE NEEDS TO LEAVE PHILLY, LIKE NOW... ALL PLAYERS ARE ABOUT $, YOU ALL WOULD BE TOO IF YOU HAD THE TALENT THEY HAD. GIMME A BREAK PEOPLE— Will.i.Am
- Trade him for a bag of peanuts and a pile of horse dung. It would smell better!— go
- LITO SHEPPARD IS ONE OF THE BEST IN HIS POSITION, EVERYONE SHUT UP AND SWALLOW YOUR WORDS ONCE THE SEASON STARTS, THANK YOU & GOODNIGHT— Will.i.Am
- i think it would b nice to c if u can get a good deal with the tampa bay buccaneers and send him over there Tampa Bay Fan For Life— tampafan
- HOW ABOUT...NOT, AND PLAY HIM SINCE HE IS A FANTASTIC PLAYER???? HELLO PEOPLE— Will.i.Am
- I wish they could post quotes from the 2004 press conference when he signed the extention.— prez_beck
- He's showing up-He and Andy will talk and we'll see what happens. Its obvious YOU ppl are Eagle fans by the lack of intelligence behind your stmts. Go paint your faces green.— Truth
- Let him play the nickel. He knows the system. Alycia is rubbish. I like 'em full figured, like Sue Serio...— Big Ragu
- Let him play the nickel. He knows the system. Alycia is rubbish. I like 'em full figured, like Sue Serio...— Big Ragu
- Alycia plays better in the slot then on d.— S.J.
- If I were Andy Reid, I might try the following logic: look at what being a backup did for Al Harris. Play well, stay healthy and change the market perception about past injuries and your attitude. We'll trade you after this season and you can re cut your contract then.— terp
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- He signed the contract back in 2004 and was smiling ear to ear. he knew then that the market would change, but he didnt care because the Eagles just gave him 8 million upfront. Now he is being a cry baby cause the market is different. Have him play or sit... Don't do him any favors by trading him or cutting him.— prez_beck
- I don't see Lito crying about the $8M signing bonus for a fricken signature when he signed his contract extension...— Bizzle
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