After all of the controversy surrounding his contract, Lito Sheppard decided to be the bigger man and report to mandatory training camp. It’s so rare to see nowadays, a player that actually works through problems with the team instead of holding out. Yes, he is disgruntled that his starting position was taken away on the first day of free agency, but I believe his contract is more than enough considering his injury history. Sheppard has missed 19 regular season games in his 6-year career, not to mention all of the playoff games he’s missed with late season injuries and he still was paid. So I say his real beef should be with how the situation was handled, with the giving away of his starting position and how he has been on the trading block since then only to not be traded. No one can dispute with what Andy Reid has done by giving the starting cornerback position to Asante Samuel, he’s just flat …

Wow, what a draft! I think Andy Reid is allergic to the first pick, maybe he’s realized if he stays away from the inevitable as first round bust as much as possible during his tenure as GM he will receive actual tenure. He traded the Eagles first round pick (19th overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for their second round (43rd overall), their fourth round (109th overall), and also, my favorite, their first rounder in 2009. Then we all received a sneak peak into Andy Reid’s mind when he traded a fourth rounder (114th overall) to the Miami Dolphins for running back Lorenzo Booker. Then, just when we thought they were done Reid traded the 43rd pick from Carolina and a fifth-rounder (152nd overall) to Minnesota for their second-rounder (47th overall) and a fourth-rounder (117th overall). When asked about his trade from Miami Booker said, he was surprised but seemed genuinely happy to be heading to the Eagles. Here’s a pick by pick analysis of the top players …

It seems that fans are so starved for a wide receiver that they will eat anything thrown at them. Lito Sheppard was reportedly in the Tampa Bay area recently visiting some old friends, and wow, amazingly enough there is an NFL team in town! There may be a deal in the works with the Eagles and the NFC South champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They get the two time pro bowler and we get….hmmm…. I don’t know! People are saying the Eagles will receive some late draft picks this season and maybe a 2009 first-rounder (fair price since we can’t get a receiver). Then there is some speculation that we will get receiver, Michael Clayton (now that’s just stupid). So now we’re going to trade a defensive play-maker, albeit an oft-injured one, for a 2004 first round bust who also has a few nagging injury issues of his own. His production has decreased drastically since his rookie season!! Isn’t it the …

There are rumors afloat that the Eagles are interested in Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive end Jared Allen (65 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 10 pass deflections).  Allen is a great pass-rusher that led the NFL in sacks last season, and has had a stellar four years in the league compiling a total of 230 tackles, 43 sacks (resulting in 282 lost yards), 1 interception, 13 fumbles forced, and 25 pass deflections.  In other words this guy is a BEAST!  According to the rumors Allen is seeking a contract with $30 million in guarantees, but any team courting Allen has to go through the Chiefs as he is their designated franchise player.  After a disappointing season the Chiefs are looking toward the future and want to stockpile draft picks.  With important needs to address at free safety, left and right offensive tackles, kick returner, and wide receiver, I don’t believe the Eagles can afford to turn over their early round selections and concede to Allen’s $30 million …

Eagles came to terms with two important players on each side of the ball in the last two days.  Restricted free-agent, Joselio Hanson (52 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 fumble rec.), was the nickel corner last year with Lito Sheppard being plagued by injuries for a good part of the season.  This re-signing news should surprise no one after a solid performance by Hanson in 2007 showing heart and decent cover ability.  Don’t expect him to create any turnovers, as he hasn’t had an interception in any of his three NFL seasons, but he can prevent a receiver from coming up with the ball.  All things considered he’s a great option at the nickel spot and worth the $1.47 million tender he received.  This also was a great move financially for the Eagles; the Birds get a proven cover-corner with a low price tag in the nickel spot instead of trying to groom a rookie with the possibility of paying more.  The Eagles used their franchise tag on …

It looks as if the Eagles front office is not even considering having the best secondary in the NFL. Before they signed former Patriot Asante Samuel (46 tackles, 6 int., and 1 TD in 2007), it was rumored that Lito Sheppard (51 tackles and 2 int.) was unhappy with his contract but I’m sure he didn’t expect to be replaced. Eagles’ coach Andy Reid named Samuel the starter at the press conference announcing the signing and with Asante’s proven shutdown corner ability, Sheppard would be nice to have but his happiness is no longer important. The only thing Lito may be able to demand now is a trade, oops too late. The Eagles have already been shopping him and have heard some significant offers but are continuing to listen. A lot of teams will wait until they have completed all of their draft work before making an offer, but a deal is expected before the draft. Now, I don’t want anyone to think I’m coming down too hard on Sheppard so …

NFL owners are preparing to head off to Palm Beach, Fla., for their annual meetings to debate everything from rule changes to adding hair-length restrictions (is this boot camp?). The most important subject under debate is whether to extend the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), in 2011. Things could get ugly with the NFL trying to take away personal freedoms (hair length) and scrapping the CBA

For those that don’t know the CBA is a deal between and the National Football League Player’s Association (NFLPA) that came in response to lawsuits filed by players against their teams (most notably Reggie White V. the Eagles). It gave players unrestricted free agent rights for the first time, improved benefits (including a 401k with contributions made by the team), and most importantly it gave the players a percentage of the NFL’s gross revenues. So that means the NFL has to spend at least a certain percentage of its’ total income on players’ salaries. Also, included are salary guarantees for players after …

The Eagles inked former Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end/fullback Kris Wilson to a three-year deal Wednesday (the terms of the contract are undisclosed).  Wilson was the 29th pick in the 2nd round of the 2004 draft, but being the backup to arguably the best pass-catching tight end ever, Tony Gonzalez, has left little room for him to flourish; Gonzalez has only missed two games in his entire career!  However, Chiefs’ coach Herm Edwards found a way to squeeze him into the offense as a fullback last year; Wilson made the most of his small role by catching a career-high 24 passes for 180 yards and 1 touchdown in 12 games.  The Eagles have signed him as a tight end for special teams purposes and to backup L.J. Smith (236 yards and 1 TD), Matt Schobel (108 yards and 1TD), and rookie Brent Celek (178 yards and 1 TD).  They must want to take a good look at the kid, evidenced by the three-year contract and Smith only being …

The Eagles signed linebacker Rocky Boiman (64 tackles and 2 int.) to a one-year deal on Monday.  Boiman was drafted in the 4th round of the 2002 draft by Tennessee where he stayed for four years before signing with the Indianapolis Colts.  Look for him to be a backup in the defense since Andy Reid has said he is “very excited” about the young linebacker group he currently has.  After releasing veteran Takeo Spikes they needed someone to serve as a mentor to the inexperienced group, which may not be a bad idea.  Maybe he can teach them how to create turnovers since he tied the amount of interceptions Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, Stuart Bradley, and Takeo Spikes accumulated combined last year.  Yet and still Boiman would need to have a break out preseason (not at all likely to happen at the age of 28) to see much playing time.  Unless there is an upcoming trade, all of the Eagles’ moves will seem inconsequential in the aftermath of …

Earl Bennett, a junior from Vanderbilt, has apparently caught more than the 236 passes in his three years of college; he has now caught the eye of the Eagles’ personnel department.  Listed at 6 feet and 209 lbs., Bennett is expected to be a second round selection.  He was an all-Southeastern Conference selection three times and led Vanderbilt in receiving during his entire tenure.  The Eagles’ are very interested and are rumored to have requested a personal workout with Bennett.  Hopefully, he can make an impact over time unlike draft busts Freddie Mitchell (1st round pick in 2001) and Todd Pinkston (2nd round pick in 2000).  That still doesn’t help the immediate receiver need but at least they’re working towards the future. 

Bennett ran a 4.48 in the 40 at the scouting combine.  He caught 75 passes for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns in his final season.  I would prefer someone bigger or that could possibly make an immediate impact like the Detroit Lions’ 2007 first round draft …

We don’t need a running back!! Especially not someone the run-starved Lions just cut! Apparently there are twelve teams showing interest in former Detroit Lion Kevin Jones (581 yard, 8 TDs, 199 receiving yards, and 2 fumbles). You have to wonder why when Jones is more injury prone than my grandmother on skates and just as durable (sorry grandma)! He’s been in constant decline since his rookie season when he amassed an amazing 1,133 yards, 8 TDs and 2 fumbles. What’s amazing now is he hasn’t been above 700 yards since and was only averaging 3.8 yards per carry last season! As I mentioned earlier the Lions are desperate for a running game and obviously Jones was not good enough to give it to them, so why would the Eagles have an interest in him. Here’s what Jones had to say regarding the situation, “When the Lions drafted me, it came as a big shock, because they weren’t that much in …

Well, we wanted Larry Fitzgerald, but the feeling was obviously not mutual. After standing strong opposing a contract restructuring the last two weeks he finally caved in. The Cardinals inked him to a 4-year $40 million contract with $30 million of it guaranteed. Also, Fitzgerald demanded a no-trade clause be included in the deal. Bottom line: he decided he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But don’t fret Eagles faithful because there may still be a bright light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel!

Anquan Boldin (71 receptions, 853 yards, and 9 TDs), the Cardinals’ #2 receiver is disgruntled about the contract given to Fitzgerald. Now let me run down Boldin’s resume for you. He had 101 catches in his rookie season receiving offensive rookie of the year honors and was the only rookie named to the Pro Bowl in 2004. He set NFL records for the most receiving yards ever for a players’ first game (217), the most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL …