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TAMPA - A little less than a day later, I’m still not sure Lito Sheppard was being totally straight with me when he told he didn’t meet with the Bucs brass on Wednesday.
The reason I say that is that people inside the Eagles organization have confirmed the report that said Sheppard did in fact meet with the Bucs. It’s likely that Sheppard at least met with the Bucs medical staff, because it’s doubtful the Bucs would go any further in trade talks before checking out the knee sprain that kept Sheppard out of five games last year.
Either way, we know for sure the Bucs have interest in Sheppard. We told you a few days ago, before this story went national, that the Bucs were poking around about Sheppard, so this comes as no surprise.
The big question is whether the Bucs have the wherewith-all and the desire to pull the trigger on a trade, because this deal has a tendency to be quite costly, especially if they wind up giving up two picks for Sheppard.
That seems a little steep, and just as in the Jared Allen case, there is a contract to consider. Sheppard doesn’t want out of Philadelphia because he doesn’t like the color green. He wants out because he wants a new contract and the Eagles, after signing Asante Samuel to a $57 million deal, aren’t in a position to give him one.
Should the Bucs eventually trade for Sheppard then, they will also have to appease him contractually. That means ripping up the contract that is slated to pay him $3.45 million this year and giving him a new one. If they fail to do that, the Bucs run the risk of losing not only whatever it is they give up in trade for Sheppard, but Sheppard as well.
By the way, there is at least one other contender for Sheppard, and that’s the St. Louis Rams. We’ll do our best to keep you informed on this front. Know, though, that no one is more anxious to hear the outcome of this more than Sheppard. During our conversation yesterday he said he really can’t wait to get this behind hi,.
“I’m just playing it by ear right now and waiting,’’ he said. “I really just want to get things situated so I can move on with everything. I hope I find out soon. I mean, right now I’m as excited about this weekend as if I was one of those kids being drafted.’’
Posted by Frank Stazzone, Long Island NY on 04/25 at 05:51 PM
Lets not forget about a 2nd tier of CB’s in the draft (Cason, Flowers and King). If the Bucs were able to trade down they could grab someone like Cason who is a 1st round talent that will fall into the second round. With this latest development of the Saints getting involved in Sheppard the Bucs CAN NOT appear vulnerable here and up their price.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 04/25 at 05:42 PM
this years draft is loaded with recievers and corners and i believe it would be a waste to give up our first round pick(probaly a third rnd to) for this guy when we could possibly get mike jenkins,Leodis McKelvin,or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the first rnd…with only having 5 picks this year…we need to be smart…plus his attiude is something this team doesnt need…this team is coming together…lets not f^*k it up with some injury probe hot head….not only that…we need to get our own players signed to new deals with the money we have…GO BUCS!
Posted by Chris Burke, Nashville on 04/25 at 05:05 PM
Who do you think is the Bucs Rookie of the Year in 07? I think it was Safety Tanard Jackson drafted in the 5th round. My point is those picks we send away are very valueable. Monte’s Covers 2 in about the right group doing their job, not a high priced free agent doing his own thing.
Posted by Greg M, Tampa, FL on 04/25 at 05:00 PM
Here’s the solution if Jenkins isn’t available at #20 - trade our first rd pick to the Dolphins for their second round pick and Jason Taylor - then use that new 2nd round pick on a WR and trade the other 2nd round pick for Sheppard. Also, please please draft Dennis Dixon in one of the later rounds.
Posted by Alex, Tampa on 04/25 at 04:17 PM
the guy is a young injury prone but highly talented cb. great in man coverage and a sound tackler. Sounds alot like Buchanon or B kelly. Similar size, strengths and weaknesses. This guy wants big money and the bucs may be more inclined to offer it to somebody who is there last year of the contract as well, named Philip Buchanon. The talent and potential level for each is very similar. neither is an ideal fit for the cover 2 but we play just as much cover 4 now.
Posted by Mitch R, NYC on 04/25 at 02:35 PM
Yeah, that’s the type of player we want to give up picks and $$$ to?
Posted by David Gallagher, South Jersey on 04/25 at 01:10 PM
Don’t be alarmed about Lito’s injury history. He chose not to play last year bc he wasn’t happy with his contract. Had he gotten a new contract last year, you would have seen him in Hawaii
Posted by HFXBUC, Halifax on 04/25 at 12:18 PM
He’s a risk. good yes, young yes, injury plagued yes. Rather see him excell on another team than risk our first round pick.
We need to trade down, and get more picks in the second round…problem is everyone is trying to do that. Miami and Atlanta and possibly the Jets and Ravens need to trade into the first to get their QB. And if Oakland is making one last run maybe they want to make the trade as well. grab two seconds or a second and a third would be sweet.
Posted by Mitch R, NYC on 04/25 at 12:17 PM
Lito is a fine player, but let’s be realistic, giving away multiple draft picks for him is troubling for me. #1 - does he fit in our CB scheme?
#2 - are his injuries in the past or signs of things to come
#3 - will signing him to a long term deal be difficult
#4 - can we get a player of equal skill or value with our #1 or #2 pick
Posted by James Anderson, Lakeland, FL on 04/25 at 11:27 AM
Good take Frank. I concur. Lito is not a superstar yet. Let’s not pretend he is just because he was a Gator. I love the guy, but the contract talk in this article makes me a little quizicle about the practicality of this move. Personally, I think it is more smoke unless Eagles interested in someone we are gonna cut anyway.
Posted by bill, on 04/25 at 11:24 AM
Why not give up our first round pick for him and their second round pic. I really don’t think we’d loose much there. Maybe offer them a player like white???
Posted by Frank Stazzone, Long Island NY on 04/25 at 10:45 AM
I say the Bucs evaluate the draft before making any decisions on this. If one of the top 4 CB’s fall to them at #20, then forget this trade and build from the draft. If not, i would do everything i could to trade down out of #20 maybe regaining another 2nd round pick and make the deal for Sheppard. You know the Bucs will go after a WR or maybe even 2 WR’s in a draft that is adequate at best for that position. Dont waste the #20 pick on a WR…..none are worth it.
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Posted by George L Hicks, Dallas,Texas on 04/25 at 06:22 PM
I think that if sheppard lands here then Tampa does have the money to get it done. Also maybe Phila may be Interest in Simms and White, plus maybe if this trigger gets pulled. Then maybe Packers who has the #30 pick then Tampa could trade down with Green Bay for pick #30 and another 2nd or 3rd picked. Then we could get WR Caldwell from Florida or WR Earl Bennett from Vanderbilt in the 2nd or 3rd Round. Or at pick 30 we could trade down for mult picks in later rounds.