Lito Sheppard is applauding the trade sending him from the Eagles to the Jets for a fifth-round pick this year and depending on his playing time, a second, third or fourth-round choice in 2010.

Shep also gets a significant bump in pay next season or a date with free agency if the Jets don't like what they've seen.

It's right here: http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/archives/2009/02/jets-extend-lito.html.








After picking up the rights to cornerback Lito Sheppard via a trade with the Eagles, the Jets have given Sheppard a new contract.

Per a league source, it's a two-year extension to a contract that has three remaining years.

He'll get $3 million in 2009, his prior base salary. Thereafter, it's a four-year, $21 million deal.

On the fifth day of the 2010 league year, Sheppard receives a $10 million option bonus.

If Sheppard participates in at least 39 percent of the plays in 2009, Sheppard's salary escalates by $1.55 million per year for 2010 through 2013, making the four-year package after this season worth $27.2 million.

Of course, the Jets could cut Sheppard before the fifth day of the league year, but he'd be an unrestricted free agent.

If, in the end, he stays for all five years (and participates in at least 39 percent of the snaps this season), he'll make $30.2 million.

So instead of having the three-year, $10.95 million contract that previously applied, he's got a five-year deal worth $30.2 million -- if he meets the play-time trigger. (Otherwise, it's five years and $25 million.)

The bad news for Sheppard is that, if he wins the starting job across from up-and-coming star Darrelle Revis, Sheppard might find himself in a hail storm of footballs, like DeAngelo Hall last year across from Nnamdi Asomugha in Oakland.

Say goodbye to cornerback Lito Sheppard.

The two-time Pro Bowl talent visits the New York Jets today as a prelude to a trade for draft picks, according to reports.

If Sheppard passes the physical the Jets would ship the Eagles a fifth-round pick this spring and a conditional pick in 2010.

Sheppard first lost his starting job to Asante Samuel last season, then lost his spot at nickel corner to Joselio Hanson, who recently signed a long-term contract.

The Eagles were unable to secure a second-round pick for Shepperd in their bid to trade him last year.

Free agent running back Kevin Jones, the product of Chester and Cardinal O’Hara High, has drawn interest from a handful of teams.

The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all are reportedly interested in Jones, who rushed for 109 yards in 11 games for the Chicago Bears last year.

In five NFL seasons Jones has 3,176 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.