Are Lito's Days as an Eagle Numbered?

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Lito Sheppard has had a decent year, perhaps a bit low for his own standards in terms of interceptions.  Overall I thought Lito played fine in '07.  But hidden in a piece about the Eagles promising defense next year are hints of a possible break up between Lito and the Birds. Defensive czar Jim Johnson speaks highly of Joselio Hanson but follows it up with some quesitonable words about Lito.

The bigger problem for Johnson likely will be the secondary. The
defensive coordinator said Joselio Hanson had earned the right to be
the third cornerback, but he will be a restricted free agent.

"I think he's one of our solid players right now," Johnson said. "He's
done a great job for us. He's not a really big guy, but he plays hard
and is a good cover guy."


Asked about Sheppard, Johnson gave a different answer
.

"I really don't want to get into that," he said before instructing the
questioner to ask coach Andy Reid. "I don't know what we're going to
do. I think we have to sit down at the end of the season and evaluate.
"

We were all shocked at the departure of Jerremiah Trotter before this season started but it has shown us that the Eagles are not affraid to part ways with anyone.  I found these comments  in the Inquirer about Sheppard rather shocking though given that Lito is only 26 years old.  What is Jim Johnson getting at here?

>>Glass of Birds defense is primarily half-full [Inqy]

UPDATE: Commenters seem to think the Inqy piece takes the quotes a bit out of context.

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