| Give It Up, Lito - Thursday, August 07, 2008
295 Views :: 0 Comments ::  :: Michael Bradley Yes, the fact that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is using arcane statistics to erode Lito Sheppard's bargaining position shows the team takes its negotiating stance against the players quite seriously and perhaps goes too far. Yes, Sheppard is relatively underpaid, vis-a-vis other top corners in the league, especially with a couple Pro Bowl appearances on his resume. And, yes, Sheppard had a right to be miffed when the Eagles signed Asante Samuel and gave him Sheppard's starting spot. It's true, all of it. And it doesn't mean a thing when it comes to a new contract. Sheppard isn't getting one, and by expressing displeasure about Lurie's comments regarding his inadequate YPA (Yards Per Attempt) stat, he is doing nothing but angering management. Sheppard is clearly the third corner on the Eagles, and he is going to stay there until he stays healthy and plays like a star again. Should he do that, he'll get his wish, or at least part of it. Someone will want to trade for him and reward him with a new contract. But that isn't coming now, so Sheppard had better get his mind right and play winning football. The biggest minus on the Sheppard balance sheet is his recent unreliability. He's missed 14 games the past three years, hardly the way to endear himself with management. He also wasn't a dominant player when on the field last year, as Lurie's YPA number reference shows. Sheppard is under contract -- a rich, 8-year, $26 million job that included an $8 million-plus signing bonus. He has also sparred at times with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. And, finally, fellow corner Sheldon Brown, with whom Sheppard entered the league, is not making any noise, even though his contract (nine years, $24 mil) isn't as good as Sheppard's. Add it all up, and Sheppard doesn't have a case. The Eagles are re-doing one contract this year, and that's Brian Westbrook's. Period. So, Westbrook can get angry at Lurie. He can bark at the moon. The fact is he won't get any more money in the short run. If he wants anything down the road, he better play some good football. Give it up, Lito. The Eagles aren't budging. |
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