Lito blasts the Eagles
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Lito blasts the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Lito Sheppard is happy to be getting a new start with the New York Jets, but that hasn't stopped him from ripping his former team, the Eagles, in an interview with Bob Glauber of Newsday.
Sheppard said the Eagles purposely limited his playing time last season to send a message and to justify the signing of free agent Asante Samuel.
"After my second Pro Bowl season [in 2006], it started going downhill when I addressed the fact that I felt like I wanted a new deal," he said.
"I truly believe that if they paid me and they paid Asante at the same time, and if I had a pretty good year, then people would have asked, 'Then why would you bring in Asante?' They had to keep me at a minimum in terms of play time."
Sheppard's friend and ex-teammate, Sheldon Brown, has of course voiced his displeasure with his own contract this offseason.
And Lito expects his buddy to experience a similar cut in playing time.
"I talked to him and told him it's the same thing I was going through," Sheppard said. "I already know what the outcome is going to be.
"He ultimately won't even be playing before the end of the season. It's a known fact. I hope they prove me wrong."
I've heard this argument before, and frankly, I think it's ridiculous.
Can you really imagine Andy Reid or Jim Johnson playing an inferior player just to send a message about a guy's contract? What if it cost the team a game?
Their job is to win, and in my opinion, they make personnel decisions with that always being the primary focus.
Obviously, Sheppard feels differently.
"I wish the league would do something," he said. "[In my situation], you feel like you're doing everything right, perfect teammate, working hard, doing everything you're supposed to do, but it doesn't work out in the end. There should be some rules of guidelines. You shouldn't be able to devalue an employee like that."
Of course, Lito did not say that players should give money back if they don't play up to their contract.
"It's like injuries," he said. "You can't cut a guy when he's hurt, so how can you sit a guy without probable cause? Whenever a guy feels like he needs a new deal, if he addresses that, don't make it like, 'You don't tell us what to do. We have to show you who's boss.' That's dead wrong."
So what do you think? Does Lito have a point?
Lot of talk for the second best corner on the Jets, and a guy who lost PT to Joselio freakin' Hanson.— moderndaymesh- How about MAKE A TACKLE ! COVER SOMEONE ! Lito was terrible on the field so they took him off... SHUT UP whiny pampered athlete— cdedrick05
- I'd like to know what Lito wants the league to do. It is up to the employer to decide what to do to its employees, as long as it is in accord with its labor agreement with the players. If he really has a beef, then when the next labor bargaining event happens, bring it up! I don't believe Lito or Sheldon understand why they are wrong in their situations. At the bottom line of both arguments is one word; GREED!— southern eagle fan
- how come this stuff never happens in the NHL?— bvl390
- Lito; One of the things you should have learned is shut up and perform. You would have goten your contract. Grred was your problem. Philly fans like people who put team ahead of cash. If you perfrom you will get the cash. If you perfrom in the press good riddens.— hrlevine
- "...you feel like you're doing everything right, perfect teammate, working hard, doing everything you're supposed to do" What a hypocrite! How is whining about your contract "right"?!?! You were a ridiculous distraction in 2008 Lito..how is that being a "perfect teammate". You signed the contract, so playing out the contract is "doing everything you are supposed to do", Lito!— Phront_Runner
Hope that bile keeps you warm this winter while the Jets crater.- Lito's bitterness and resentment is unfortunate. What good is he doing with this? Grow up and move on. You couldn't stay on the field and last year you proved to be unprofessional and childish. Enjoy going 6-10 with the Jets this year.— wondo40
- From the reports I've heard, Lito is not going to start- he'll be their nickel back and did he get a new contract even? The key to this is you have to actually outplay your contract and Lito was always hurt and could not be counted on. Sheldon can be counted on but is not that good- Sheppard at least was a playmaker when healthy.— friedmozzarella
- Sheppard (and Brown too) are delusional about who they are on the field; and besides, they both signed legal, binding contracts... live up to the agreements and stop your BMGing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— jimnic
- All that is just a bunch of sour grapes.....Lito got his money, why can't he let stuff go? This just makes him look like the typical spoiled athlete, envying the next guy's money....good riddance, let's play some football— RowdiestMan
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- Take the contract extension, the signing bonus and then b*tch that you deserve more? Lito - how many games til you get another injury?— AllDawk_AllTheTime
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