Rumors of a trade between the Eagles and Jags have crept up. A trade for Cornerback Lito Sheppard for draft picks could be coming. What do I, as a Jag fan, think of this trade? The title says it all, go for it.
First off, why go for the trade? Jacksonville will get a very good CB, a CB who is also only 26 years old. In the AFC, a surplus of CBs is a good thing, especially when Indy is in your division. If they complete this trade, they will have a starting CB tandem of Sheppard and Mathis, two incredibly good (and fairly young) cornerbacks. Not to mention, their 3rd option would be newly acquired Drayton Florence, who was a starter over in San Diego for a while.
With those two starting, and Florence in the 3rd spot, they would be able to move Brian Williams to safety, where they are in need of depth. Putting Williams in as the starting SS, and 2nd year man Nelson as the FS, they would have Sensabaugh as the backup. Sensabaugh is the projected starter at SS right now, and they believe he has the skills to be a very good player.
So not only will this move give them a better cornerback crew (as I'm sure most people will agree Sheppard is a better CB than Williams), but it will also add more depth at the safety position, which is needed very badly.
From what I have heard, Jacksonville may be sending a 2nd and 5th round pick (I may be wrong, but I believe that is what they said on SC). I have a better idea.
The Eagles want a wide receiver, Jacksonville has a former 1st rounder that is rarely used. Trade Sheppard for Jones. Obviously it wouldn't be straight up, because Jones in no way warrants that kind value with his play. But send him to Philly, where he may be able to resurrect his career, because he hasn't done much in Jacksonville. Philly and Jacksonville can work out the difference with draft picks. Sending Jones can either save Jacksonville a draft pick(s), or lower the level of the pick(s). Not only that, but Jacksonville already has a large amount of WRs, sending him will allow them to keep another (like a Broussard or Walker) to develop.
What do you think? Good idea to trade? Should Jones be a part of the trade?
Nice post. There is still a good chance that Lito Sheppard will be traded before the weekend, according to FanNation. Lamont Smith, who is Sheppard's agent, said that he has had extensive conversations with the Jaguars about acquiring Sheppard. Jags will be coming after Manning hard and heavy. I already believe the Jags will win the division in '08. This would be icing.
OH MAN!!!!!! I hope that happens! All last week I was hoping that the Jaguars use Matt Jones as trade bait, and since we now have a few WRs on board that would be an ideal trade! My co-worker is an Eagle fan and he was so pissed off that one of those top WRs weren't drafted. It makes sense for both teams.
Bring on Sheppard. I think he's a Duval boy anyway. No matter what we give up, throw Jones in for free. Maybe he will find some heart in Philly. I doubt he could handle those Philly fans.
I like the way you laid out the depth we could have in the secondary. What was the reason for letting Knight go? He couldn't have been wanting too much money.
Hanahan...you're right, Lito's from Jax. So's Dawkins. They let Knight go because of the "age" factor, but he led the team in INTs last season. What's more of a mystery to me is why was Darius let go...
Hey, TUDE...I think Double D was let go because he had been injured a lot in his last two seasons. I haven't seen him do anything since he left. Same kind of deal as Stroud leaving I guess.
I thought Sammy was washed up when he was at Miami a few years ago. I couldn't believe he did so well in Jax last year.
TUDE... I got you. Mathis is my mo fo. Everybody loves MoJo too. I like Wrightster, and Greg Jones is from near my hometown. Gotta show some love for Joe Z. also, the long snapper. He's a cool, funny guy. Damn, there aren't many on the team that I don't like. Matt Jones is the only one I could do with out, I guess.
Hanahan...Agreed! Matt Jones lost my support when he PERSONALLY gave the Texans 3INTs while missing perfect passes...we lost 13-10 and I was in the stands inventing profane words!! He has to do a lot to make up for that one game!
If the Jags get Sheppard and he does his Lito Shuffle in Jax, I'd pencil them in as the favorites in the AFC. With their new speed rusher in Derrick Harvey, they can throttle the Pats' explosive offense and their ground game will tire out the Pats D.
Yeah, DD was let go primarily for youth and his injury bug (remember, Sensabaugh WAS starting before he got injured, then Knight came in). I would LOVE a Sheppard/Mathis tandem, would be one of the best in the league.
jon - I agree on Harvey. I think those "draft experts" were being WAY too critical of the picks (including Groves). From what I heard, no one else wanted to make the trade, Harvey was high on their board, and they got him for a really good value. They also got Groves in the second (I saw a couple mocks where he was going to them in the 1st) and not only got him but stole him from the Steelers.
My faves - Taylor, MoJo, G. Jones, Mathis, and (I know I may get some #### for this) Reggie Williams.
Draft picks...forget it, we don't need them. I don't think that the Jags have any wide receivers that we would want. Keep Lito and we'll have the best d-backfield in the NFL
MT3...No prob with Reggie. He would make a great #3 reciever on any other team. He does surprise every now and then with some great clutch catches---last year against the 'Skins.
1050...yeah you guys don't need anything. Every other team in your division went to the playoffs last year, and they're all getting stronger. You guys are looking good.
eagles...I guarantee you McNabb will disagree with you when you say that the Jaguars have no wide receivers he would want...hahaha!! Westbrook does EVERYTHING for the eagles, and he's tired! McNabb and Westbrook would welcome all the help they can get. Lito's unhappy there so if he doesn't go to the Jaguars, he will go somewhere, trust me.
Talking about favorites in the AFC? Whoa! Hold on Jags fans - you have to beat the Colts first. You haven't won an AFC South Title yet. Look, I like where your team is headed and beat my Steelers twice and played a competitive game vs. the Pats. But to talk about being the champ, you must first beat the champ.
