Time To Play Hard Ball - Thursday, July 17, 2008
278 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Mr. "Next Question" has come back into the Eagles' lives, and nobody is particularly happy about it -- except maybe Lito Sheppard. The troublemaking agent is the cornerback's new rep, and he seems quite intent on forcing the Birds to do something they don't want to do. The trouble for him is, the Eagles hold every advantage.

   Sheppard's contract binds him to the Eagles for four more seasons, and the chances of the team's giving him a new deal are microscopic, no matter how much Rosenhaus protests or stages driveway press conferences. Sheppard didn't seem too upset when he signed the deal four years ago and received a $3.4 million  signing bonus. Granted, it wasn't as lucrative as what Asante Samuel received, but Sheppard was thriled with his contract, and now he isn't.

   Enter Rosenhaus, although he doesn't have too much leverage. First, Sheppard is under contract. If he sits out, he doesn't get paid and could lose a year of service toward  his pension. That's a big deal. Second, the trade market wasn't too hot for Sheppard around draft time, and it's probably shriveled up even more now, because teams have signed players up to their cap level, or at least as high as they want to go. Any team that trades for Sheppard must surrender something for him and re-sign him. That's not necessarily something that's too palatable. Finally, if the Birds release him, they take a cap hit ($2.9 million), and Sheppard will have to find a home, at a rate that is likely less than what he would make this year ($2 million).

   In other words, the chances Sheppard will be satisfied are not good. And since the Birds are in firm control of the situation, their message to Rosenhaus should be clear: Back off. If he starts with a holdout or a circus, like he created with Owens, the Eagles should remain quiet and go about their business. They're not going to release Sheppard, even after this season, since he has a cap number of $1.45 million next year. Trading him won't be easy, either. And don't just go for a second-round draft pick. This is a valuable weapon on a defense that needs to make more plays. Stay strong, Eagles, no matter how much bluster Rosenhaus brings.

   And, man, can he bring some bluster.