Eagles Trade Rumors

"His minicamp obligation fulfilled, Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard left the NovaCare Complex on Monday without a promise of returning. Asked if he'd be in attendance for the team's optional Organized Team Activities in June, he smiled his Lito smile and said, "Can't think that far ahead." Sheppard wasn't planning on taking questions Monday. To be more precise, the Eagles' dissatisfied two-time Pro Bowl cornerback fended off media pressure Saturday by saying he would talk Monday, before reconsidering Sunday. Then, physically hemmed in at his locker by cameras and microphones, he reconsidered."

"The real test of cornerback Lito Sheppard's view of things will likely come next month when the Eagles' full squad is scheduled to return for eight camp days at the NovaCare Complex. The first day of that camp is June 3. Asked if he'd be there, Sheppard responded by asking if there were "any other questions." Asked if he thought the current situation could work, the cornerback again asked if there were "any other questions." And then Sheppard showed he still has a sense of a humor. "What are we going to do?" he asked. "Like Drew said, 'Next question.' ""

"The Eagles have a cornerback controversy. They don’t have a quarterback controversy, despite the sudden emergence of Kevin Kolb. Kolb quietly has been given the backup quarterback job that formerly was the domain of veteran A.J. Feeley, gauging by the quality of repetitions at minicamp. Though offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg suggested that there was a competition for the No. 2 job, it appears the job is Kolb’s to lose and Feeley could be on the move for the fourth time in his career."

"The Eagles may have drafted for the future, but the here and now is about to mess with their locker room. The team drafted 10 players this weekend and traded for one more, but the moves they didn't make have tipped the power in the direction of dissatisfied cornerback Lito Sheppard. The two-time Pro Bowl player hasn't said much since the Eagles gave a six-year, $60 million contract to Asante Samuel, but he could say plenty if he declines to show up for the team's mandatory minicamp Friday through Monday. Coach Andy Reid said Sunday he expects Sheppard to be there."

"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 trade talk about Sheppard probably is not going away anytime soon. The Daily News reported yesterday that Sheppard's agent, Lamont Smith, was trying to shop the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a package of 2009 draft picks."

"There's still a good possibility that Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard will be traded before this weekend, when the Eagles will hold their postdraft minicamp. According to league sources, Sheppard's agent, Lamont Smith, has had extensive conversations with the Jacksonville Jaguars about a possible offer for his client. "

"What does Donovan think? It is not the only question that matters, but it is among them. It has to be. Donovan McNabb is your quarterback, and you cannot win a Super Bowl this year without him being good, and if you aren't trying to win a Super Bowl this year, then he shouldn't be your quarterback anymore. So you have to care about his reaction, at least a little."

"There will be Asante Samuel, the $57 million free-agent signee, whom Eagles coach Andy Reid already has designated as the starter on the left side. There will be incumbent starter Sheldon Brown, who felt he deserved a Pro Bowl berth last season. And there will be Lito Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowler who felt he was underpaid and wanted to be traded even before Samuel came aboard."

"Cornerback Lito Sheppard, barring some unforeseen development, will become a member of another team, and we'll all get to see what he brings in return. Early yesterday evening, it was the New Orleans Saints' second-round pick that qualified as the best offer on the table. A league source said five teams had made offers for Sheppard. The St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were among those teams, and the source said the Eagles were still hopeful when they went to bed last night that some team would improve its offer today."

"Could the Eagles trade down from 19, draft Phillips at the end of the first or high in the second, and pick up an extra draft pick, as they did last year? (The third-rounder they got from Dallas ended up being Stewart Bradley, penciled in as this year's starting middle linebacker.) Sure, they could, but they enter draft weekend with 11 picks and more expected, assuming they finally consummate a Lito Sheppard trade."

"Now, the only question is where Sheppard will end up and what the Eagles will get in return. He's got a considerable amount of value because he's still very young, he's got a ton of big-game experience, and when he's healthy he's capable of making game-altering plays."

"Lito Sheppard said last night he just happened to be in Tampa this week and checked in on some old friends. A source close to the situation, however, confirmed Jay Glazer's report on Foxsports.com, which said Sheppard "was in Tampa on Wednesday to visit with the Buccaneers, who have emerged as the front-runner for the two-time Pro Bowler.'' The Eagles, who certainly would object to apparent tampering if they hadn't given their permission, raised no objection. They said they had no comment."

"There's a chance the Bucs might not need to address cornerback in this weekend's draft after all. Tampa Bay has had preliminary conversations about trading for Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard. And talks could heat up as the weekend nears and Philadelphia pushes to get extra picks. Sheppard, named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006, long has been rumored to be on the trading block with the Eagles' acquisition of Asante Samuel in free agency leaving him in a tenuous position."

"For the second time in a week Thursday the Bucs found themselves smack dab in the middle of the rumor mill's hottest byproduct. The rumor this time had Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard visiting the Bucs in what could be a precursor to a draft-day trade. The only problem was, Sheppard's visit wasn't with the Bucs who have the authority to pull the trigger on a trade."

"As for the Sheppard saga, he remained a member of the Eagles for another day yesterday, although a league source said he had visited several teams and undergone physical examinations in case he is traded. Foxsports.com reported that he had visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The source said the Eagles had received some late-second-round offers but were still seeking something more."

"Another day, another rumor about a prominent wide receiver the Eagles probably won't be able to trade for this spring. Yesterday, the NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported that Anquan Boldin has asked the Arizona Cardinals for a trade. "

"Eagles radio analyst Mike Quick seemed taken aback yesterday by how quickly word spread among fans and reporters after he told former teammate Garry Cobb, on Cobb's blog, that he thinks the Eagles will make a major deal for a wideout this week, possibly for Detroit's Roy Williams."

"There's a strong assumption right now that the Eagles would like to trade up from 19th overall in the first round of the NFL draft, which starts Saturday and continues through Sunday. That assumption is based partly on rumor, partly on perceived needs, partly on possible hints that have been dropped, and partly on history."

"The Eagles are among a handful of teams that inquired about securing defensive end Jared Allen, who led the NFL with 151/2 sacks last year. For now, the Kansas City Chiefs want choice draft picks, not a combination of players and picks for Allen, whom the club designated as its franchise player. The Eagles discussed shipping cornerback Lito Sheppard and picks to the Chiefs, but not their first-round pick, according to a source. Sheppard’s recent history of nagging injuries didn’t win the Eagles any points, either."

"The Eagles are heading into the week of the NFL draft, this coming Saturday and Sunday, which almost certainly will see them trade standout cornerback Lito Sheppard. Some circumstances are different, but some seem eerily familiar."

"It is true that New York Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson visited the Eagles for a series of medical examinations, but, according to a league source, the visit took place nearly a month ago and it is "a long shot" that he will be dealt to Philadelphia."

"It is certainly possible that Brown's counterpart at cornerback, Lito Sheppard, was not in his mind at that moment. And it's also possible that the Eagles will decide not to trade away the two-time Pro Bowl selection between now and the end of next weekend's NFL Draft."

"Eagles president Joe Banner was asked yesterday whether he expects to trade disgruntled cornerback Lito Sheppard by the April 26-27 draft weekend."

"Eagles president Joe Banner pumped up the trade value of Lito Sheppard Tuesday, leaving the departure of the veteran cornerback a foregone conclusion."

"Banner said there continues to be plenty of interest in cornerback Lito Sheppard, who remains likely to be traded before the start of the draft April 26."

"If the Eagles really have "significant" offers for cornerback Lito Sheppard, as some suggest, then why haven't they made the trade? According to a very influential league source, who also knows the Eagles, there is no way they will get a No. 1 pick for Sheppard... Cincinnati, at No. 9 and New Orleans, at No. 10, are possibilities. "

"The Eagles re-signed cornerback Joselio Hanson on Tuesday, in what could be a further indication that they intend to deal former Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard."

"A league source said yesterday that the Eagles have asked at least one team for a first-round draft choice in exchange for Sheppard, a hefty price tag for a player who has missed 14 games in the last three seasons because of injuries. The same source, however, said he would rather have Sheppard than DeAngelo Hall, the former Atlanta Falcons cornerback who was traded to the Oakland Raiders last week for a second-round draft pick this year and a fifth-rounder next year."

""Chad Johnson? Traded to the Eagles for Lito Decorian Sheppard and a second-round draft pick. "T.J. Houshmandzadeh? He will play out the final year of his contract in 2008 and walk in free agency."

" Shaun Alexander's fate in Seattle is why a running back such as Brian Westbrook would like a new contract that pays him among the best in the league, and also why the Eagles are bit reluctant to do it."

"Kevin Jones says he wouldn't mind playing next season for the Eagles, the team he was a fan of during his youth in Chester. The 6-1, 230-pound, 4-year NFL running back and former Cardinal O'Hara High star was released by the Detroit Lions on Thursday, opening up plenty of options for next season."

"Roy Williams, who burned the Eagles for nine receptions totaling 204 yards and a touchdown Sept. 23 for the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field, is one...As long as the Eagles did not burn any bridges in Arizona, a re turn phone call with an offer for its other Pro Bowl wide receiver, An quan Boldin, is in order."

"The checklist for Johnson's defense this offseason also includes luring little-known defensive end Chris Clemons away from the Oakland Raiders, re-signing backup safety J.R. Reed and offering nickel cornerback Joselio Hanson the second-tier restricted free agent tender of $1.47 million."

"So, again, Larry Fitzgerald, officially not coming. Now what? Detroit has said Roy Williams isn't coming, either. And unlike the Cards, who had a reason to want to trade Fitzgerald, the Lions have no strong reason to want to trade Williams. "

"Dan Klecko, who has been with three Super Bowl winners in five years, worked out for the Eagles yesterday at the NovaCare Complex."

"Fitzgerald, of course, is the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver on the wish list of just about every Eagles fan. Over the weekend, some media reports surfaced that coach Andy Reid's team had made trade offers in an attempt to pry the former Valley Forge Military Academy star away from the desert. It's not happening."

"It's been more than a week since the Eagles signed Asante Samuel to the most lucrative deal for a defensive player in team history and Andy Reid declared that Samuel will be the Eagles' starting left cornerback. It's no secret that the Eagles have been fielding offers for Sheppard, their former starting left corner, and a trade could be imminent."

" Anyone who thought Sheppard and a second-round pick could land Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald probably thought Spikes was going to be a Pro Bowl player last year and Kearse was going to lead the league in sacks. If the Eagles really want Fitzgerald (and here's a tip, he's really good and he's really young and he would really help) give the Cards whatever they want: Sheppard, the 19th pick in the draft, next year's No. 1 pick. "

"Rumors swirl like March wind this time of year. But the Torry Holt trade rumors — to Philadelphia or Cincinnati, take your pick — are simply hot air, according to coach Scott Linehan. Linehan says the Rams aren't shopping their star wide receiver."

"The Larry Fitzgerald-to-the- Eagles trade scenario takes on new intrigue daily, with a report surfacing Friday that the Eagles have submitted a trade offer to Arizona to obtain the Pro Bowl wide receiver."

"The Eagles came up short in their pursuit of Randy Moss and watched as Javon Walker signed Wednesday with Oakland. Now, the search for a wide receiver will likely turn to the name most frequently mentioned as their primary target -- Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who remains in contract negotiations with the club that drafted him. Lions wideout Roy Williams, mercurial Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and Rams veteran Torry Holt are logical choices for the Eagles to pursue if they can't land Fitzgerald."

"There is still no indication that the Cardinals will trade Larry Fitzgerald - the Eagles believe they aren't - as talks between the Cards and Fitzgerald inch toward a contract restructuring. Detroit has said it will not trade Roy Williams, and has no reason to want to trade him."

"The Eagles' run at Moss leaves one wondering if any other wide receiver is on their radar. Aside from the 31-year-old Moss, this was considered a weak free-agent class at the position when the market opened... The one free agent who still may be on the Eagles' radar is Javon Walker, who was released last week by the Denver Broncos after missing eight games last season with a knee injury... The source said to forget the idea that the Eagles will be able to acquire Arizona star Larry Fitzgerald from the Cardinals, even though the team has been unable to resolve a contract issue with the wide receiver."

"The Eagles, according to a source close to the situation, made a prolonged effort to sign free-agent wideout Randy Moss, who ultimately decided to stay with the New England Patriots for $27 million over 3 years, $15 million guaranteed... And, of course, there is the fan base's great white whale, Larry Fitzgerald, who still isn't being traded by the Cardinals, but might be, eventually, if the sides can't agree on restructuring his contract. "

"The latest rumor has the Arizona Cardinals trading Pro Bowl wideout Larry Fitzgerald of Minneapolis to Philadelphia before next month's draft. Fitzgerald is guaranteed $33 million for the next two seasons, and if the Cardinals were to designate him as a franchise player following the 2009 season, via the NFL's labor deal, they would have to pay him $21 million in 2010."

"It's intriguing that Randy Moss has not reached the expected deal to stay with the Patriots, but the Birds have not been mentioned in Moss speculation... A source close to free-agent wideout Javon Walker disputed an Internet report yesterday that said the Eagles were no longer interested in Walker's services... In case you haven't been near an Internet message board or within hearing range of sports-talk radio lately, many Eagles fans think trading Sheppard to Arizona in a package for Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald would be a neat idea."

"A league source said the Eagles, as expected, are fielding significant offers for cornerback Lito Sheppard, who seems to be the odd man out with the signing of Samuel on Friday. The source said some teams are offering draft picks and others are offering players. The wish list among the fans never changes. They want a wide receiver, with Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald topping the list. Fitzgerald is owed $32 million by the Cardinals over the next two seasons, and the team is trying to renegotiate his deal."

"Conversations between the Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals re garding the availability of stud wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were held, according to a league source, but the Cardinals' asking price for Fitzgerald "was absurd," according to the source."

"Amid wild trade rumors surrounding star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald possibly going to the Philadelphia Eagles, word surfaced Saturday that the Cardinals' No. 3 wideout, Bryant Johnson, was scheduled to meet with the Buffalo Bills Sunday regarding a potential deal there."