Should The Arizona Cardinals Consider Free Agent Cornerback Lito Sheppard?
by Andrew602 on Mar 24, 2010 4:31 PM MDT
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
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PrintAfter being released earlier this month, one time starting cornerback Lito Sheppard finds himself on the open free agent market looking for a new home. Sheppard was one of the best cornerbacks in the league in 2006, so how have things changed so dramatically for him?
Two seasons ago, Sheppard was the pariah of the Philadelphia Eagle's locker room when he was leap-frogged by Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown for the starting cornerback positions on the defense. After finding little use for Sheppard, the Eagles traded the 28-year old two-time pro bowler to the New York Jets last offseason.
His first season in New York, Sheppard nabbed just one interception in ten games, while also recording 30 tackles and nine passes defensed - pedestrian numbers at best.
But if we know anything from this offseason, it's that Rex Ryan's castoffs - especially in the secondary - should not be judged. Newly acquired safety Kerry Rhodes couldn't grasp Ryan's defense and statistically had the worst season of his career in 2009. And after arriving in New York, Sheppard experienced one of the most forgettable seasons of his career.
It wasn't that long ago when Sheppard was a first team All-Pro, pro bowl selection. He's played in 103 career games and has recorded 19 career interceptions for three downs, 79 passes defensed, and 255 tackles. He'll be 29-years old when the 2010 season begins and has yet to find a new home, although the Lions and Bears were reportedly interested in him.
I've seen the idea tossed around ROTB a few times before so I thought I would too. Should the Cardinals consider Lito Sheppard? The Cardinals are in need of defensive back depth and signing a veteran like Sheppard would shore up a need on defense. Yes, he's a little small for cornerback(5'10, 194 lbs) but makes up for it with quickness and experience. And although he's struggled as of late, who's to say that he couldn't rejuvinate his career in Arizona?
The golden question though, is the asking price. The Cardinals won't spend more money on an older player who's currently on the down-slope of his career. The front office will need to evaluate their current options outside of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.Bryant McFadden struggled in the playoffs, Ralph Brown hasn't been re-signed, Michael Adams' size is a liability, and Greg Toler remains a question mark for now. How much money is too much for Sheppard? Should the Cardinals sign him?
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For the right price
I wouldn’t be against signing Sheppard. He did have some amazing seasons with the Eagles and lost his job to two other amazing corners so its somewhat understandable. I’m sure other things (such as money) played into his departure from Philly as well.
It’d be nice for Rhodes to have another familiar face in the secondary. Just like you stated, cast-offs from Ryan’s defense shouldn’t be too harshly criticized and he may very well do good with us in our scheme.
Basically, I don’t think it would hurt us to sign him.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 4:54 PM MDT reply actions
I'm not sure if Lito is the right fit...
….but we need to sign somebody for pure depth purposes. DRC great, Mcfadden ok, mike adams is really a special teamer, and Toler i think needs one more year to develop. I think we need a veteran cb for competition at the nickel position maybe ever a starter. Really though our coverage wasnt terrible all year (including the playoffs in my opinion), we really needed a pash rush. Think back to the last play in the Packer game. We brought a blitz and Rodgers still had 5 seconds to throw the ball. No secondary can cover as long as our corners had to during streches last year.
by notliketheboardgame on Mar 24, 2010 4:59 PM MDT reply actions
Wasn't terrible in the playoffs?
90 points and nearly 600 yards passing in 2 games!?… What do you consider terrible?
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions
i hate that the playoffs are the measuring stick everyone seems to be using as it's somewhat an abberation.
the reason i say this is because both the pack and the saints were two of the best if not the best passing offenses going into the playoffs. with that being said and taking into consideration what notliketheboardgame said in regards to the pass rush lacking i think it is a fair argument to say it wasn’t the secondary’s fault alone.
Not saying
it was the secondary’s fault alone. It’s a team sport. But no doubt it was terrible. And they were a big part of that (McFadden and Adams were picked on repeatedly to be specific).
And it’s a measuring stick cause that’s when they’re supposed to step up and play their best, not get exposed.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:25 PM MDT up reply actions
i do agree in part with you. it should be apparent we need better depth in defensive backfield. when adams has to step in and hazmah (if i remember correctly) as well then i think the results should be what it was in playoffs.
the depth of db’s is quite bad and was last year so the results were telling to that fact. i think an improved pass rush makes our secondary look “better” even with the same depth. i mean look at the giant game and that it came down to a huge pick by rolle to save what should have been an easy victory before the injuries.
Very true, injuries did play a large role.
Guess it just hurt to watch us struggle so badly. That’s why I’d like to see a CB drafted with one of our 3rd round picks. Depth depth depth.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Look at all of the injuries in the Saints game.
And the fact that the Cardinals went up against two of the best offenses in the NFC during the playoffs.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
Absolutely
Need an improvement over McFadden for sure, and as long as he doesn’t come with a big price tag, i’d love to have him.
Cover corners
The Cardinals play a style of defense that requires two solid cover corners. While I do believe coverage was better last year, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Especially in nickel and dime coverage. You can’t get to the quarterback every time. I am all for trying to upgrade the cornerback position and adding depth. It is really hard to win big games if you can’t stop the pass. See Steelers, Saints, Colts, Packers, Texans, Titans, etc.
I hear that Toler is our best coverage corner
Which would explain why he looked pretty good in limited action. McFadden came from a zone coverage scheme with a lot of blitzes. It’s easy to say now that he’s not a great fit because he isn’t, but it should have been easier to tell. I don’t know much about Lito Sheppard but I’m basically against it because of our track record with any free agent playing No. 2…
Another high quality CB is a must.
Doesn’t matter if it’s through the draft or FA. We may have to wait for the draft to see where they go with any more FA moves. Lito Sheppard is certainly worth looking at. Another former pro bowl CB recently cut is Nathan Vasher.
He'd be worth a look too
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I like Vasher
But he hasn’t been the same since his injury. If he can stay healthy he would be a good pickup.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
If no more FAs are brought in I agree
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Go for him.
He’s an upgrade over McFadden, he played with Rhodes in New York (1st in pass defense can’t forget that) and he was a starter there alongside one of the best corners of the game Revis. Him and DRC can have the same combination here in AZ.
hey cardsfanforlife24 did you submit your pick for the mock draft yet? just curious and know i don't want you to tell me who if you did!
i am liking the way the board is coming together so far but time will tell if i get the guy i hope falls to me for clevelands pick.
Yeah I submitted it.
Went with a practical choice I guess you could say. I’ll tell you McCoy is still on the board, couldn’t see any team investing as much money to the DT position that having Haynesworth and McCoy would command.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah I agree. Don't know why but I'm really hoping we pick up Pat Angerer in the mid rounds I think he'll turn into something special. Who are you hoping will fall to the Browns?
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:00 PM MDT up reply actions
on who i'm hoping falls i don't want to say yet i'll tell ya if he comes up the board though!
hey you know i gotta maintain like i am actually drafting lol!
Lol okay okay. Different question, who do you think I picked? And if we're actually drafting I'd trade down in a heartbeat.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:04 PM MDT up reply actions
Well you're in for a surprise. I think I justified who I picked pretty well but they have so many holes they can go in a lot of different directions.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:10 PM MDT up reply actions
smart cookie lol. not saying who though!!!
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Surprises? Maybe with your pick lol!
As far as who I think you’re hoping falls, you mentioned Clausen earlier so I’m thinking you may be hoping for a QB of the future. Can only be a few people if you’re hoping for this person to fall… McCoy or Berry or Clausen would be my guesses lol!
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:28 PM MDT up reply actions
i think there will be a few other surprises in the top 15!
i will say you’re in the neighborhood of what i am hoping to see coming my way as options for the 7th pick.
Depends on the price.
He hasn’t been great recently, so I wouldn’t want to spend too much on him.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
as a starter
If Sheppard steps in as a starter, he dramatically improves the pass defense. McFadden isn’t a great option as a starter, however, he’s very good as a nickel. This allows the Cards another year of grooming for Toler. If Sheppard can keep that spot warm for two years at a decent price, this would be great.
Sorry if my favoritism for Toler as a great cover corner is so transparent.
LaRussa makes too much sense too little of the time.
andrew there really isn't a way to stop these incessant shopping lists from these asses?
i can’t stand spammers! do they honestly think someone will buy their shit because they flood forums with this drivel? sorry for the language but damn it’s annoying. i am starting to think it’s a san fran fan! just joking!
I'll be addressing them soon
It’s a network wide issue. Every team has been hit with heavy spamming.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
This is a Hell No!!!
seen alot of this guy ,both in the nfc east and in the ny market with jets..Rexs D makes everyone look good. So save your self some very painful sundays…kerry didnt wont too look good in Rexs D. He did a lot of pouting ,because he was not givin a leadership roll. that he thought he had coming. Rex bought his own guys with him from balt. that knew the system. he felt not "enough love " i guess….
There is a chance kerry can come to Arizona and have something to prove..
there is not a shot in shepperd doing anything good….
Heck
Lito couldn’t be any worse than McCushion. I have never seen a more overhyped corner than McFadden. He just came right in and started sucking. But seemed to be immune to getting benched because he was a decent tackler.
"There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California." - Edward Abbey
I agree
but jeez he can lay a tackle so that was his strong point…I think him as our nickle or third option with DRC and Toler or the next guy who steps up would be great.
by Punisher3190 on Mar 25, 2010 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions
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