Lito Says He's Ready to Step Up

by John B on Sep 1, 2009 12:00 PM EDT

Lito Sheppard says he's prepared for the challenge of starting opposite Darrelle Revis.

The former Eagles’ cornerback probably felt a bit like another Philly tradition Saturday night, when the Giants tried repeatedly to burn him like a cheesesteak on a hot griddle.

But the first-year Jet took it all in stride, despite the fact that he was thrown at nine times by the Giants, and nailed twice for pass interference. The Giants apparently weren’t interested in his résumé, which features two Pro Bowl appearances, and wanted to stay away from rising star Darrelle Revis at the other corner.

"Truthfully, it’s giving me the opportunity to establish myself again," Sheppard said of being targeted by opponents, "considering what I went through in Philly."

Sheppard, who was traded in February from Philadelphia to the Jets for two draft picks, made the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006, but fell out of favor with the Eagles and lost his starting job last season.

He hasn’t lost his confidence, however.

"I play corner, so I’m expecting that every time we line up, the ball will come out there," he said. "I’m not worried about how many times they throw to my side or not. I’m just lining up and playing the best that I can. If they throw 80 balls over there, that’s 80 balls and I’ve got to play them."

It's great that he's confident, but the former Pro Bowler's play deteriorated last season to the point he fell to fourth on the depth chart. A lot of people myself included thought this was the result of frustrations over his contract situation in Philly and that a new team and a new contract would cure him. It hasn't looked that way in preseason. Lito hasn't played well.

This needs to improve. A quarter of the schedule is comprised of divisional games where he'll be matched up against Wes Welker and Terrell Owens. Revis can take away half the field, but that means Lito is going to get a lot of action in his direction.

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I know you're a bit disappointed with Lito Sheppard John,

but even with the penalties and a couple of blown coverages (luckily the G-Men had butterfingers that night), Sheppard played with incredible intensity. I think now tht he has the job, he can focus more on the game, and not as much on impressing the coaches. Combine focus with the fire I saw (and admittedly liked) I think Lito adds even more depth to the defense. QBs will think twice before throwing the ball in either direction. The first interference call in my opinion was a tad nit picky, calls like that can go either way. But having a bruiser as a CB makes WRs nervous which can disrupt their routes and break up plays before they develop. I think we’ll be ok with Lito in the starting position.

by TeamJets on Sep 1, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

I have always liked lito

but considering the roster we carried last year im sure everyone here would of dished away lito if they were in charge of the Eagles FO … hope you guys have a good run and ive always liked lito but never liked his attitude off the field but hes your problem, i mean player now … :)

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

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by NorthPhillyKid on Sep 1, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

At least he can tackle

Look, as far as I’m concerned, Pass Interference is a terrible penalty. It assumes the player would have made the catch, and frankly, a lot of times WR cant keep their feet in bounds or bobble the ball or lose focus or whatever… So getting flagged for PI can be very punative.

BUT having said that, a PI penalty is still better than a completion AND 20 YAC. So if the player is GOING to catch the ball (esp. if he’s got you beat by a half step), I’d prefer the CB to dive at his feet or whatever and take the penalty… You might save a TD.

I’m sure the Giants would have preferred getting flagged for PI than the completion to Stuckey that he weaved in for a TD.

As long as Lito doesn’t get beat by a WR, I wont complain too much about Pass Interference so long as it isnt on a terrible pass that the WR would have been lucky to catch. And also not on every down, okay!

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by NC_Scott on Sep 1, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Also..

Sorry, i know the last post was long, but I forgot another point:

Rex said in the 8/31 presser that Lito wasn’t leveraged correctly for those plays. So I think he moved to the inside of the WR and the PI penalties stopped. Let’s just hope it was poor positioning.

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by NC_Scott on Sep 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Eagles fan here...

Actually, by the end of the season last year, he wasn’t even the dime back. That job went to safety Quintin Demps.

Personally, I hoping for the best for Lito. The better he plays, the better the chance we get a decent draft pick from you guys.

Bye, Big Stew and JJ :(

by JimmyK on Sep 1, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll give Lito the benfit of the doubt to this point because he’s a proven vet and is getting comfortable with a new d. Wouldnt mind seeing a strong pass rush though, that will help any cb a whole bunch. Getting after the qb with nicely disguised aggression will be a focal point for the success of the d as a whole.

by Ozone on Sep 1, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

GOOD PLAYER BUT NOT A PRO-BOWLER ANYMORE

Being a eagle fan i have always liked Lito, he was one of my fav eagles. Ill always have a fondness for him as he has given me some of my favorite plays in recent eagles memory……..like his int runback against Dallas and bledsoe. I think as soon as we signed Asante he felt betrayed and then after he didnt get traded he was kinda just in limbo. On the team but not really a part of it.
That being said with Lito u are getting a high risk high reward player. For every 5 PIs or times he gets burned you might get a big pick runback.I do think he is still a good player and def one in the top tier for better CB in the league. However i dont know if he will ever regain pro bowl status.All in all you guys are getting a player with a lot of talent but also a declining work ethic. I wish him and the Jets the best luck this year.FUK THE PATS

by goldenbird09 on Sep 1, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

i dont think hes gonna be that good this year

though i gotta admit im very biased

Can't wait untill Sean Smith puts Randy Moss on his ass lol, Co-Vice President of the official Matty I fan club.

by jojo phin fan on Sep 1, 2009 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

wtf?!? No Jets fans?

sheesh. glad to see u guys. actually enoy any like minded football fan so long as they don’t root for the pats, but i wonder actually where have all the Jets fans gone. Is there some other hip new jets spot I’m not keen to???

anyhow, II actually like Lowery. He’s young and has a way to go but was not that horrendous last year. He was bad, but you know… he’s was a rookie, he’ll make rookie mistakes.

Lito is an okay player that can perform at an above avg level given the proper motives. Lowery playing behind him will be good for both players. Lowery can perhaps learn from Lito and Lito has a young gun waiting for him to slip if he loses focus.

What did the 5 fingers say to the face?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7CBwX1891A
HaHaHaHa!

by Lord Smackington on Sep 2, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

ye but he did slip up with the eagles

Can he regain his old form i dont think so

Can't wait untill Sean Smith puts Randy Moss on his ass lol, Co-Vice President of the official Matty I fan club.

by jojo phin fan on Sep 2, 2009 6:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Lito's not enough

Lito is falling off, thats clear.The whole second half of last year and beginning of this one. I think we should have gone after Roderick Hood, as he was released. We need another CB period!

by jcgamble on Sep 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions