Lito Disgusted By Playing Time

Really Lost One · Oct 2, 2008

Lito Sheppard is beyond disgruntled.

The Eagles' two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, his playing time severely limited over the first four games as the backup to starters Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown, is nothing short of disgusted.

Signed to a contract through 2011, Sheppard again spelled out his case for more playing time, or a trade, as a guest on Comcast SportsNet's "Monday Night Live."

Unlike most of his locker room interviews at the NovaCare Complex since May, Sheppard pulled no punches.

"If you say you want to win and do this and do that, then why aren't all your best players on the field at the same time?" Sheppard wondered. "It's kind of been swept under the rug in their eyes as far as not addressing (my) problem. They kind of want this year to ride out ... but that is not satisfying to me. I need to be playing and I'm more than able.

"From a business standpoint, we all know what the situation is (and) it's not handled. It's only going to get worse if it continues to go like it's going."

Sheppard estimated he has been on the field for only 30 percent of the plays as the nickel corner behind Samuel and Brown for the Eagles (2-2), who had serious cover issues in their two losses to the Dallas Cowboys Sept. 15 and Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field.

"That's not satisfying to me at all," Sheppard said of his lack of playing time.

Asked if he wants to stay with the Eagles, Sheppard said, "Yes, but I have to start -- until I am given a reason that I shouldn't be starting. If health was one of the main reasons, I am completely healthy with no problems. I don't understand it."

When asked what the team should do after giving Samuel a six- year, $57 million contract Feb. 29, Sheppard responded, "I don't know. That's their decision. In my perfect world I just want to be playing and starting right now. If that's here, that's all well and fine with me. But if they don't want to make that move, then it'll be somewhere else."

Head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson each vowed to make it work with Samuel, Sheppard and Brown all in the mix.

So far, it has not.

Sheppard's ill-fated strategy of employing agent Drew Rosenhaus in an attempt to force the Eagles into trading the former first-round draft pick from Florida also has been a disaster.

"I was trying to take that approach, to make (the three-cornerback) situation work," Sheppard said. "But me not playing, there's no excuse for that. That's the only way this thing can work. If all of us are supposed to split playing time, that's all well and fine, but I need to be on the field somehow, some way. If that's not going to happen, then it's not going to work."

"What I'm saying is: I think I de serve to be on the field and I have given (the Eagles) no reason to change that thought. So, if you are not going to play me, I need an ex planation why. Let my fans, let the people, let the public know why Lito Sheppard is not on the field. I just know I have a lot to offer as a player. I want to play football and right now I'm not playing football."

Count on Reid being peppered with questions regarding Sheppard at today's press conference.

Also count on Reid dismissing almost every one of them as he prepares for Sunday's pivotal NFC East game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field.
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http://www.nj.com/sports/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1222833919110630.xml&coll=5

Well he isn't better than Asante, he isn't better than Sheldon, thus he will not see as many minutes as Asante or Sheldon. I'm hoping Lito can stay calm and not cause any trouble this year. I think he's as good as gone next season. Hopefully we can trade him for a #1 receiver. Chad Johnson maybe?

Vintage · Oct 4, 2008

You have 2 1st round picks and Sheppard.... I could see a pick and Sheppard being used to bring in a WR.

I always though Arizona made sense; for Boldin.

Arizona then has a talented trio of two former Eagle CBs (Sheppard, Hood) plus Rodgers-Cromartie.... and Rolle and Wilson at S... which would shore up their secondary.

You'd obviously get Boldin...

I don't want to see the trade go through, obviously.

Really Lost One · Oct 4, 2008

Meh...

I'd prefer Chad Johnson, but I guess Boldin wouldn't hurt!

But excellent point Vintage. We have 2 1st rounders we can dangle along with a Pro-Bowl caliber cornerback in Lito Sheppard. That should amount to something good, I'm guessing...

Smitty · Oct 4, 2008

Boldin would fit much better here I think.

But we tried to dangle Lito and a 1st for Boldin before but the Cards wouldn't budge.

Guess it wouldn't hurt to try again though..

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Lito Disgusted By Playing Time

Really Lost One Suspended

Vintage Defeating Communism...

Really Lost One Suspended

Smitty brush em off.

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Lito Disgusted By Playing Time

Really Lost One Suspended

Vintage Defeating Communism...

Really Lost One Suspended

Smitty brush em off.

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