PIZ Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Don Banks - SI 2. The Eagles trade Lito Sheppard to move up in the first round: The minute Asante Samuel signed with Philadelphia it became a fait accompli that Sheppard would be dealt. It's rare that 27-year-old cornerbacks with a pair of Pro Bowl selections on their résumé reach the market, but Sheppard's recent injury history and his contract dissatisfaction make him expendable. With Sheppard not even taking part in Philly's offseason program, the Eagles don't have a ton of leverage in any potential deal. Everybody knows he's a goner, so Philadelphia can't exact maximum value. What the Eagles should be content to do is use Sheppard as the ammo they need to move up in the first round from their current No. 19 slot. The two obvious teams above Philly that need a cornerback are No. 8 Baltimore and No. 10 New Orleans. At No. 10, the Eagles could pick the draft's top-rated receiver, Devin Thomas of Michigan State, just ahead of the No. 11 Bills, who covet him. Another potential target at No. 10 would be Virginia guard-tackle Branden Albert, who is rated the draft's second-best tackle prospect by some teams. Turning Sheppard, a former 2002 first-round pick, into one of those three players -- Ellis, Thomas or Albert -- would be transforming the Eagles' biggest negative this offseason into a positive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sen. John Blutarsky Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Eagles aren't gonna move up for a WR. If it's for anyone it will be Albert or Harvey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_wag Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 sounds good to me - just means an unexpected player slides his way down to the bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Eagles aren't gonna move up for a WR. If it's for anyone it will be Albert or Harvey. That 12-sack beatdown the Giants administered last season showed exactly where Philly's focus should be: finding an adequate LT to succeed William (formerly Tra) Thomas. Winston Justice certainly wasn't the answer, and Thomas will turn 34 during the season... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sen. John Blutarsky Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That 12-sack beatdown the Giants administered last season showed exactly where Philly's focus should be: finding an adequate LT to succeed William (formerly Tra) Thomas. Winston Justice certainly wasn't the answer, and Thomas will turn 34 during the season... That, in addition to Andy Reid's man-crush on lineman should be all the info you need. Question is, do they move up for Albert who could be a RT or do they go for Clady? What I do know is that if they move up and take an o-lineman there will be a riot from Iggle fans. They have a major hard-on for a WR...any WR... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That 12-sack beatdown the Giants administered last season showed exactly where Philly's focus should be: finding an adequate LT to succeed William (formerly Tra) Thomas. Winston Justice certainly wasn't the answer, and Thomas will turn 34 during the season... Good point. I'm here in Philly. Reid loves big O-Linemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That 12-sack beatdown the Giants administered last season showed exactly where Philly's focus should be: finding an adequate LT to succeed William (formerly Tra) Thomas. Winston Justice certainly wasn't the answer, and Thomas will turn 34 during the season... Agreed. It's Albert or bust for the Eagles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Anderson's Lunch Pail Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That, in addition to Andy Reid's man-crush on lineman should be all the info you need. Question is, do they move up for Albert who could be a RT or do they go for Clady? For some reason, I can't envision Clady in Philly. I can see Williams, Albert or Otah, but not Clady. Not sure why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherman Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That 12-sack beatdown the Giants administered last season showed exactly where Philly's focus should be: finding an adequate LT to succeed William (formerly Tra) Thomas. Winston Justice certainly wasn't the answer, and Thomas will turn 34 during the season... The other OT for the Eagles is John Runyan. He is also in his late 30's. Justice was drafted to replace one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherman Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 For some reason, I can't envision Clady in Philly. I can see Williams, Albert or Otah, but not Clady. Not sure why. Clady is said to have the best footwork for pass blocking. Philly is a pass first offense. Clady would be a good fit there but I think Otah or Albert is the man they want. their line is big guys who can physically manhandle light DE's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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