Teams still have interest in Lito, but could he end up starting opposite Asante Samuel in '09?

The latest rumor to come out of free agency is that the New Jersey B, aka New York Jets are looking improve their cornerback depth around the young stud Darrelle Revis.  There short list includes signing free agent Corey Ivy and/or trading for Lito Sheppard.

Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News reports:

Sheppard is due to visit tomorrow with the Jets. The former first-round pick has one year remaining on his contract, with a base salary of $3 million, but he has been looking to be traded ever since the Eagles signed CB Asante Samuel last offseason.

Sheppard would step in as a starter, opposite Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis. Ivy will be a nickel back, his role with the Ravens.

Both Sheppard and Ivy?  That would be a huge upgrade for the Jets.

Due to the Jets new coach Rex Ryan’s history in Baltimore, the Corey Ivy signing makes a lot of sense.  But trading for Lito?  Do we even want to trade him now that Dawkins walked, or does this mark the official transition of Sheldon to the FS position and Lito back in the starting lineup?

Plus, What do the Jets even have to give?  Rex may look to shake things up on defense, as they used to play a 3-4 and will go to more of a traditional Ryan 46 look, but the Eagles don’t need those 3-4 throwaways either.  On the offensive side of the ball, the Jets do have two talented RBs (I’d take Thomas Jones or Leon Washington), but not much outside of that.

Do the Jets have a Pro Bowl safety would could trade for?

I would love to move Lito as soon as possible and move forward with rebuilding our secondary, but trading for more draft picks?  Gaining another second round pick (if we can even get that for Lito) would almost guarantee the Eagles move up in the April draft.

We will keep you posted as the situation continues to evolve.

Joselio Hanson took the place of any potential Free Agent Cornerback catch

Cornerback is a position of strength for the Eagles, but there is still some uncertainty as to what the group will end up looking like at the start of the ‘09 season.  Two Pro Bowlers in Asante and Sheldon at the top clearly, and Hanson resigning means he is still the nickel.  Where will Lil’ Lito go?  Is Nick Graham our dime corner, or will it be a player brought in through the draft?

What about the Free Agents?

The group of CBs in Free Agency this year is pretty deep, and there are quite a few players available who could help upgrade the Eagles secondary.  The 5-year $21mil deal that Joselio Hanson signed the other day really sets the bar for what nickel/dime corners get in Free Agency this year, and it may be a more fiscally responsible option for the Birds to draft a CB.

Click to see the highlights from the 2009 NFL Free Agent Cornerbacks

As we get closer to the February 27th start of NFL Free Agency, we take an in-depth look at unrestricted free agent Joselio Hanson.

2008 Season Overview:

• Hanson has fought for everything he’s ever gotten in his career.  He came into the league in 2003 after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers.  After being cut and playing a year in NFL Europe, the Eagles gave him a second chance in 2007.
• In 2008, Hanson came in fighting for a roster spot as the 4th cornerback, tops.  However, Lito Sheppard’s constant complaining and subsequent benching provided Hanson an opportunity that he made the most of.  Hanson put up 28 tackles, one sack and his first career interception in 2008, and was the Eagles starting nickle cornerback for the majority of the season.  It all hasn’t been good from Hanson, but he has grown into a fairly consistent player of late.

Hanson has played well, but an upgrade may be in order

2009 Outlook:

• Coming into the 2008 season, Philadelphia’s secondary was looked at as one of the best in the NFL.  But with Sheppard’s imminent departure, and 279 yards and 4 TDs the Cardinals put up through the air in the NFC Championship game, all of the sudden there are some serious questions at corner.  Asante and Brown are both Pro Bowl caliber players, but after that who’s left?  Sheppard and Hanson are the only backup corners listed on the Eagles official depth chart, although Jack Ikegwuonu (coming off horrible injury), Dimitri Patterson (5th year CB coming from KC), and Trae Williams (never played in an NFL game) are all on current roster.
• Hanson’s play has consistently improved throughout his two year career with the Eagles.  If both he and Sheppard leave via free agency and trade/cut respectively, the Eagles will absolutely need to test free agency to get a known quantity at corner, and will probably need to address the position in the draft as well.
• Corner is a postition that many teams, including the Eagles, place a lot of value in, and this was evident in last year’s free agent market.  In 2007, ex-Charger CB Drayton Florence, more of a #2 corner than a #3, was bumped to the nickel spot when the team drafted Antonio Cromartie.  Last year the Jaguars signed Florence to 6-year, $36 million contract in free agency.

Will he be a Bird in ‘09?

• I’d take him, but I’d rather sign Corey Ivy.
• Hanson may get snatched up by a team desperate for help in the secondary.  I don’t expect Hanson to be offered the sort of contract that Florence was, but it would not surprise me if there is legitimate interest out there.  Hanson has shown improvement and comfort in Jim Johnson’s scheme, but I’m not sure how much upside the 5′9″ corner really has.  With that being said, I’m only letting Hanson walk if we are ready to pull the trigger in free agency on an improvement at nickel corner like Phillip Buchanon or Corey Ivy.