Lito Sheppard signs with Vikings (1 Viewer)

[Raiderfan32904]

You can go ahead and cross the word “cornerback” off the list of top priorities for the Minnesota Vikings heading into Thursday’s draft.

The defending NFC North champions reached an agreement with cornerback Lito Sheppard earlier today, per a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

According to the report, it’s a one-year deal worth $2 million.

A former Pro Bowler, Sheppard spent the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Jets last offseason. He’s amassed 19 interceptions and scored three touchdowns in 70 career starts.

The move adds some much-needed depth to a Minnesota secondary that saw Cedric Griffin tear his ACL in the NFC Championship game. In addition, 32-year-old Antoine Winfield spent a good portion of the 2009 season battling a foot injury.

Now that the Vikings have addressed the secondary they have a little more latitude with the 30th pick in the first round—a pick some wouldn’t be surprised to see used on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

 

[travdogg]

You can go ahead and cross the word “cornerback” off the list of top priorities for the Minnesota Vikings heading into Thursday’s draft.The defending NFC North champions reached an agreement with cornerback Lito Sheppard earlier today, per a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.According to the report, it’s a one-year deal worth $2 million.A former Pro Bowler, Sheppard spent the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Jets last offseason. He’s amassed 19 interceptions and scored three touchdowns in 70 career starts.The move adds some much-needed depth to a Minnesota secondary that saw Cedric Griffin tear his ACL in the NFC Championship game. In addition, 32-year-old Antoine Winfield spent a good portion of the 2009 season battling a foot injury.Now that the Vikings have addressed the secondary they have a little more latitude with the 30th pick in the first round—a pick some wouldn’t be surprised to see used on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

I don't think I'd cross corner off of the board for the Vikes draft, but Sheppard is a nice low-risk signing. At the least, he can be a solid nickel corner/insurance if Griffin gets PUP'd.

 

[Payne]

Was hoping the Lions would pick him up.

 

[Donnybrook]

Tim Tebow is .

Why? Is he a friend of Lito?

 

[jurb26]

Tim Tebow is .

Why? Is he a friend of Lito?

They both went to Florida.

 

[Gopher State]

Great move by the Vikings, low risk/high reward player

 

[ScottyFargo]

Tim Tebow is .

Why? Is he a friend of Lito?

Because now the Vikes can trade down into the 2nd and pick up Tebow AND Colt McCoyDouble Championships

 

[Nagle2998]

Great move by the Vikings, low risk/high reward player

More of a low risk average reward type player

 

[sho nuff]

Solid signing. He is not going to light the world on fire but gives them good depth for sure.

 

[mozzy84]

Great move by the Vikings, low risk/high reward player

finally an x-philly player worth picking up

 

[Snotbubbles]

Great move by the Vikings, low risk/high reward player

finally an x-philly player worth picking up

It's been a few years since he's actually been any good. And that's only if healthy, which for him, is usually a huge if.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

You can go ahead and cross the word “cornerback” off the list of top priorities for the Minnesota Vikings heading into Thursday’s draft.

The defending NFC North champions reached an agreement with cornerback Lito Sheppard earlier today, per a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

According to the report, it’s a one-year deal worth $2 million.

So signing a subpar CB to a one year deal makes CB a non-priority for the Vikings?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Great move by the Vikings, low risk/high reward player

More of a low risk average reward type player

 

[Jason Wood]

I don't see this as obviating the need to draft corner for the Vikes. Lito, when healthy and focused, can be effective but he's not a lock down corner by any means at this point in his career and is certainly not a long-term answer. In the era of 4,000-yard QBs, teams need depth upon depth in the secondary and i think the Vikes may well use a high pick on a CB in addition to the signing of Sheppard. I don't see them as mutually exclusive.