Lito Sheppard on the Bucs' radar

The news keeps coming....

There's a report on the web indicating Philadelphia cornerback Lito Sheppard visited with the Bucs on Wednesday. We've heard from two separate sources that no visit has taken place, but we can tell you there have been preliminary trade conversations involving the Bucs aimed toward bringing Sheppard to Tampa Bay.

Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has long been said to be available via trade. But nothing substantial has come to light in terms of possibilities until now. The aforementioned report, by Foxsports.com, says a trade is likely by Saturday. We're told it's too early to say that, but that's not to say it's impossible. There also are believed to be other teams holding discussions with the Eagles.

If the Bucs were able to orchestrate a trade for Sheppard, it would have a significant influence on their draft decisions as cornerback is currently seen as a primary need.

The Eagles' acquisition of Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel in free agency made the 27-year-old Sheppard a logical trade target. The draft might provide their best opportunity yet to unload him.

STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Jesse]

From the moment I heard Sheppard was going to be traded (after the Eagles got Samuel) I immediately thought of Tampa getting him. He is a great player and I am surprised the Eagles want to get rid of him (perhaps because of money?). I have been waiting for rumors that Tampa would be interested in him. If it works out, I will be ecstatic... he will be a great addition to our CB core that needs some more experience. Then we could focus on other things in the draft. Shoot, given the CB depth, we could probably get a good corner in the later rounds anyway.

[Rich]

I think he would be a good fit, but not for a 2nd rounder this year with such few picks. I would do a 2nd and a 5th for next year's draft

[Jake]

Guess we can sit around and wait for Bucco Bruce to get outbid on this one too and then he can go shop off the clearance rack which seems to be his favorite pastime.

[shane]

good now that talks have started lets go after him with a passion

[John P]

They Eagles have already offered Sheppard to the Lions (along with a draft pick) for Roy Williams. Once the Lions were finished laughing, I assume they declined.

I don't see the point in getting a guy like Sheppard in exchange for higher draft picks - although he is a good player. He's missed time in all but one season (and only appeared in 70% of games in the last 3 seasons), and I doubt he's going to get more durable as he gets older.

[mkurbo]

I sorry, but I just don’t get this obsession with acquiring another top tier CB ? Nothing against Sheppard, but we have depth in the backfield with Barber, Buchanon, Wilson, Jackson, Davis, Piscitelli, Phillips and most likely a 3rd round pick to be groomed behind Barber. The Tampa two can be adequately staffed without chasing after stars. The best pass defense is one that starts with a dominating d-line…

The real need this off-season was upgrading the d-line significantly and finding a No. 2 WR (playmaker), neither of which has been reeled in yet !

[Michael]

Lito would be a great addition to the backfield. We need someone to replace Brian Kelly and while Buchanon played well, I'd rather him be 3rd corner.

Plus Lito is a former GATOR!!!

[Quentin]

Not too sure what to think about this. I hope the plan is to wait until we're on the clock, then decide (based on the remaining players) whether or not we need to pull the trigger here. Of course, he could well be gone by then, but I'm not too keen on trading a high draft pick for him when there's potentially better, younger talent to be had.

[jeffzzzzzzzz]

i love Lito, the man can play, but at his point he is not worth a number two draft pick. We can get a young guy with that pick and the Bucs dont need to get invovled in a new contract for a guy who is injury prone at times. I loved Lito with the Gators and still love the way he plays and if the price was not so steep i would say go get him--but he is too much a Brian Kelly type right now to make me pull the trigger on the deal. We, (The Bucs) need a solid corner for the future and Wide receiver help. I hope we can address those in the draft too--for this year we have enough depth but if we lose Ronde next year, yikes!!!!

[bb]

I say Draft Jenkins and get a WR in the 2nd round...Barber ain't no spring
Chicken...

[Jay]

I don't see him as a major upgrade in the position, unless you can get him for a song. Between Barber, Buchanon, and Wilson you've got the starters locked up. Granted, their backups are the likes of Sammy "Oh God &#@!$* Not Another Blown Coverage" Davis and Torrie "Autowhiff" Cox, so I can understand the desire for depth.

Barber is the oldest of the crew at 33, but he's far from over the hill. Wilson is the same age as Sheppard at 27, and they can only pray that they have the kind of career and health as Ronde. Otherwise, I would address the position in the draft - the Bucs have an excellent defensive scouting crew.

[Dan]

I agree, if we can get him cheap then go for it, otherwise draft a cb in the first round(hopefully jenkins if hes still around), and then get a wr in the 2nd round.

[Nate Dogg]

haha "autowhiff"...very clever, Jay

I would agree with the previous statements saying Buchanan is better suited for the nickel role. Remember, folks...depth is a GOOD thing to have. Especially, if the price is right.

That all said, however, I would rather see Jenkins in a bucs uniform next year than Lito Sheppard.

[aaron]

This is silly. Lito is not very good in zone schemes. he is a cover corner. in addition to that he has missed 14 games the last 3 years. it is like brian kelly all over again. why go through the pain of paying top dollar for a guy who is always injured?

[Jason]

Go Gators!

[Ray]

Philadelphia Daily News is saying there is a possibility that if Lito is traded to Tampa, the trade may also include Micheal Clayton. I am thinking maybe a swap and a second day draft pick.

[Caleb]

Ray, a swap for Clayton and Lito and a second day pick? Yeah, that's a real smart trade[/sarcasm]

Clayton blooooooooows.

Clayton + a 2nd rounder + a 6 or 7th 2009 pick = Lito. Apparently not enough people watch Lito Sheppard play; if the Bucs didn't offer a player and a couple of picks, they'd have to offer a 1st rounder. And everyone, stop reading Mel Kiper's Big Board, Mike Jenkins is NOT falling that far. He's going to be taken high by the Patriots or the Saints if the Saints cannot get Dorsey or Ellis.

[Stephen_Holder]

The Saints had a personal workout with Jenkins on campus earlier this week, which is certainly interesting.

[aaron]

doesn't anybody see he doesnt fit our scheme? he struggle in zone!

all u bucs fans are crazy if u think a 1st or 2nd rounder is going to land lito we made offers to three teams detroit arizona cinncinatti u know why a WR and u dont have anyone worth talking about galloway maybe 5 years ago and whoever said micheal clayton i hope you are not serious we can afford him thats why he is mad right now he signed a contract 4 years ago and we bring in samuel now he wants more money if we dont get a 1 wr or a good player and a pick he isnt going anywhere

[Matt]

I hate the idea of trading draft high draft picks for players. Trading a 2nd rounder for Lito is really saying - The Buc's Scouting Department doesn't think that they are competent enough to find a player that will work out better than the often injured Lito in the 2nd round.

If the Buc's really feel this way they should be replacing scouting personnel to individuals that they have faith in.

[Rednecks Everywhere]

gO gAdRs!!!

[Caleb]

Matt, what the Bucs scouting department is thinking is..."Lito is a two time All Pro CB in 2004 and 2006". Only one year removed from his last All Pro year...yeah, you definitely trade a 2nd round pick for that.

Sheppard > Hall, so essentially the Bucs are getting a steal for that. And for all those wanting to know about Lito's coverage skills, he isn't the best in zone, but Brian Kelley wasn't either, having a man-man coverage guy in a Tampa 2 is a good thing. Ronde isn't a great man-man guy, and Lito would essentially have to be on Steve Smith, imagine having a CB without needing safety help in the Tampa 2...chaos for other teams.

Having Lito makes the safety on his side avalible to either play up in the box or double team a third receiver or a tight end the Bucs may have trouble with.

[aaron]

imagine a cover corner out there who just doesnt get it. he looks like a fool and so do we for giving up draft picks and picking up his large salary.

[Matt]

Trade our 2009 2nd pick for Lito.
We need to use our first 3 picks this year on WR, DT, RB.

1st Rd: WR, Sweed or Hardy
2nd Rd: DT, Marcus Harrison or Ahtyba Rubin
3rd Rd: RB, Ray Rice or Tashard Choice

[Matt]

Caleb, I hear what you're saying about Lito being a 2 time pro-bowler, but odds are there will be a Hall of Fame player still on the board in this years draft when the Buc's pick in the second round.

Its up to the Buc's scouting department to be able to identify that guy.

If Bruce Allen admits that our scouting department aren't up to the task of finding that HOF guy, sure trade for Lito.