Update: Sal Paolantonio, filling in for Mike Missanelli today on 950 ESPN, spoke directly to Sheldon Brown on the phone and said, "He flat out wants to be traded." He went on to add the Eagles have denied his request to seek a trade.
Just one season removed from Lito Sheppard first demanding a new contract, Sheldon Brown is ready to cash in. Unhappy with his contract and with the Eagles unlikely to budge, ESPN is reporting the 30-year-old corner has demanded a trade.
The symmetry is almost perfect. The two corners were drafted in '02, and by '04 both had become the fulltime starters. They each signed massive extensions before reaching the conclusion of their rookie deals, and lo and behold, both were upset with those contracts long before they expire.
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In Sheldon's case, he may actually have a point. Though his current deal lasts through 2012, this is the final year containing guaranteed money, meaning after this season, he could be cut at anytime to no consequence of the Eagles. The way they handle veteran players, such a scenario could easily become a reality. Then there is the matter of the 5-year, $21 million dollar contract backup Joselio Hanson signed, a deal that essentially pays the nickel corner more than the starter.
At his age and with the uncertainty surrounding the collective bargaining agreement, Sheldon likely sees this as his final opportunity at getting a new contract while he's still in his prime. It's unfortunate that it has to come to this, but it happens all the time in the NFL. Look no further than the Jason Peters trade for proof.
If the front office caves to Brown's demand, which might be a wise decision in light of the Lito soap opera that unfolded over this past season, it could significantly alter their draft plans. Would the Eagles consider taking a cornerback with their first selection? Vontae Davis (5'11", 203) from Illinois is among the players who had a visit with the team and is thought to still be on the board at 21. It's a position this organization highly values, so that pick would not come as a huge shock.
It also depends on how they feel about the players they already have. Joselio Hanson has grown into a nice player for this team, but 5'9" is awfully short for a starter. Jack Ikegwuonu is an enigma who they certainly cannot rely on at this point. Is Quintin Demps an option? The remaining prospects are all unknown and unproven.
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One line of thinking suggests this may improve the possibility of doing a deal for Anquan Boldin, something the Eagles have refused to rule out. Again, this depends on how they feel about what they already have on the roster. It was hard enough to imagine them pulling the trigger with needs at RB and TE. Add a CB to the mix and it sounds like their first three picks are already spoken for. Although it has been a wild offseason... who's to say the idea is without merit?
Whatever may be the case, it's a shame that this will likely result in the breakup of an excellent corner tandem. Sheldon Brown had another very good season, quite possibly one of his best actually, though partly due to the dangers of throwing at Asante Samuel. Then again, when you put it like that, maybe there is life without Sheldon.
For more, Les Bowen gives his take.