This isn't too surprising. Too much money to give a guy who can't stay on the field. http://www.thejetsblog.com/2009/12/06/say-adios-to-sheppard/ Posted on December 6th, 2009 by E. Weeks It seems the Jets will part ways with the injury-prone Lito Sheppard come the end of the season as Adam Caplan of Scout.com via PFT reports that the Jets will not be coughing up his bonus on March 11. Thus, Sheppard will likely head to unrestricted free agency in 2010. Caplan notes that the two-time Pro Bowler has ?played better of late,? but Sheppard?s lengthy injury history will limit his market value. He also appeared to lose his starting job to Dwight Lowery, before Lowery was lost indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain in Week 11. As Caplan mentioned Lito has been playing better lately but its no doubt for his benefit so he can gain the attention of other teams. This does not come as much of a surprise as the Jets put some duct tape [Sheppard] on the opposite side of Revis until they could address other concerns besides quarterback in the 2010 draft. (Don?t get me wrong, Sheppard is good but only when he is healthy and obviously the Jets don?t want to risk having Lito injury himself again and again therefore Tannenbaum is taking a different direction). It certainly should be an interesting offseason in addition to CB, the Jets may also need to look for a safety if things continue to go south with Kerry Rhodes and don?t forget both the defensive and offensive lines are aging and the Jets may be looking for some replacements in the later rounds who can be groomed over time.
Sheppard has played pretty unspectacularly this year. We should take a hard look at Joe Haden in the draft, or signing a Dunta Robinson to hopefully solidify that number 2 spot.
Good lord. Follow the links from this post to thejetsblog.com to pft to twitter and you get this original report from Caplan: For those expecting the #Eagles to get a second pick back in the Lito Sheppard deal, doesn't look like it will happen, source said. If the 'news' is that the Eagles aren't expecting to get a pick from the Jets, that has nothing to do with whether or not the Jets end up keeping Lito. There isn't a reason in the world the Jets would be letting this sort of thing be known if they'd actually come to this conclusion anyway, what with the four games remaining in the season and half the Jets other corners in the training room.
Dunta is just a younger Lito, no thanks I wouldn't be surprised to try this again, sign a veteran FA to fill in for now. This front 7 shows they can get tons of pressure, we don't need two world beaters back there, get someone who is solid to shut down the #2's
Sheppard has been good not great this year, when he's been out there. I like him, but not at the price we'd have to pay to keep him. If we bring him back we also cough up a higher draft pick to Philly, so fuck that.
good point, i thought it was odd they would release that kind of information right now even if that was their intention.
The Jets Aren't paying a bonus on March 11th 2010? How does anybody (including the Jets) know that right now? This is pure bullshit.
This blogger has really done his homework with an amazing piece of investigative journalism. I find it very difficult to believe that the Jets will not pay Lito a $10 million bonus and escalate a draft pick to Philly based on his play and durability this year. I thought Lito had the 10 mil in the bank already............ lol
would rather put that option money to work on the open market next year - we have holes to fill and CB is not top priority. of course it helps with all-world revis in there on one side jil
Speculation. Who is to say they don't pay the option, and then bring him back in? It's December, March 11th isn't for months.
We need to save our draft picks for OL/DL and I would like to keep Lito. With Lito/Lowery and Revis, our CB position will be set for awhile. I hope the Jets pull a "Vilma" here
I think he has played pretty well last couple of games I have watched but he is (obviously) just way too injury prone.
That March is a number of months away from December is pure speculation unless you can show me some proof - such as a link to a Calendar on the jets site.
I agree with everyone else great when on the field but usually in the seatsuit on the sidelines as opposed to pads.
I'm personally fine with Lowery starting, and signing a veteran/drafting a decent corner late for depth.
You mean set like when Welker killed the Jets the last game while Revis shut Moss down? I don't care if NE lost to Miami yesterday. The Jets still need to get past NE, and right now the secondary matches up poorly against them. Teams that only have one great receiver are not the problem anymore. But teams with two provide real matchup problems for the Jets. I am not saying the Jets need to use a first round pick at CB. But Lito/Lowery has been pretty mediocre.
^ Blocker is correct......We need somebody that can cover Welker....and we don't have that right now on this roster (minus Revis of course). The #2 CB spot needs to be addressed in the draft or Free Agency next year.
you cant cover welker how are you supposed to cover a bubble screen.. He does everything within 10 yards which is nearly impossible to stop
