"In the right situation, that would be an awesome situation," the Eagles' six-time Pro Bowl safety said yesterday during an interview at the NovaCare Complex. "This is not the right situation."

Dawkins was talking about the Eagles' trio of cornerbacks who are scheduled to be in the same place for the first time when the team meets Friday night. That's in preparation for the post-draft minicamp, which starts the following morning.

This weekend's camp, which includes two practices each day Saturday and Sunday and one Monday, will provide the first glimpse of how Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown could be used by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson if they are all still around when the season begins.

It also could provide the first public comments from Sheppard, who is unhappy with his contract situation but has chosen to remain silent since the Eagles signed Samuel. Sheppard did not return a phone call yesterday.

"The way it has played out, I don't see those three guys being here at the same time," Dawkins said. "It's a tough situation to be in, and this is somebody I'm close to and I consider a close friend. I don't like it for him. Whatever happens, I hope it works out best for Lito. I hate that this is happening to him."

There were no indications yesterday that a trade was in the works. In fact, a league source said there was absolutely no truth to a story that said Sheppard's agent, Lamont Smith, was trying to interest the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade for 2009 draft picks. The source said the Jaguars have expressed no interest in Sheppard.

The Eagles entertained trade offers for Sheppard before the draft, but the best offer they received was a pick in the middle of the second round. The team decided he was more valuable to them than a second-round pick.

Dawkins believes the Eagles could have handled Sheppard's situation better than they have.

"You understand there's a business side of things, but . . . business can be handled in a better manner," the safety said. "I just don't see how it can work out here. I really don't."

Eagles president Joe Banner disagreed with Dawkins' take on the situation.

"I'm not sure what Brian is talking about or if he knows what exactly has happened," Banner said. "I don't really agree that three guys of this caliber can't play together. There are certainly plenty of situations where three quality players at the same position have played together. Look at Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donté Stallworth with the Patriots last year."

Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the draft that he intended to talk to Sheppard before the start of this weekend's camp, but that conversation has not yet taken place.

While this weekend's camp is mandatory and players who do not attend can be fined, all off-season training activities after this one are voluntary. The Eagles have had players in contract disputes attend the mandatory camp, then sit out the voluntary ones.