Doing the Lito Shuffle

One of our readers, Eric, made the following suggestion:

 

“let’s start a wishlist of guys we’d like to see visit, and then have you write an article on how they would fit….to increase likelihood of a visit like with witherspoon here.

some guys i’d love to see:

nate clements (bout to be let go by SF)
marlin jackson
charles grant
greg ellis
lito sheppard”

 

Eric, thanks for the compliment but I can’t take credit for increasing the likelihood that Will Witherspoon would visit the Titans. After learning of ‘Spoon’s release I had thought about him being a fit with the Titans, wrote about it and emailed some Eagles bloggers about him over the weekend and then posted the article Monday morning. I didn’t know until Monday night he was coming in for a visit and I see no cause and effect relationship. He just happened to be a good fit and the Titans were obviously interested.

 

However, if you’re the superstitious kind and feel like it might help, here’s my take on the guys you listed and how they’d fit with the Titans.

 

Nate Clements was benched by the 49ers last year before he was injured. I’m not sure if it’s more likely the Niners release him or move him to safety. Either way, it doesn’t say much for their confidence in his ability to play corner. If he does become available, I wouldn’t have much interest in him.

 

Marlin Jackson was just signed by the Eagles.

 

Charles Grant can’t do what the Titans need from a DE, rushing the passer.

 

Greg Ellis has knee and shoulder issues and will be 35 years old in August. The Titans just let two DEs walk, each of them over 30 years old. I don’t know why they’d be interested in one even older who has injury concerns.

 

Lito Sheppard always makes me think of Boz Scaggs’ Lido Shuffle:

 

 

  

Getting back to the subject, I wouldn’t mind Lito Sheppard at all. He could be part of the conversation “which veteran corner do we want as a backup?”

 

One thing I like about Sheppard as a reserve is he can play either side. If Cortland Finnegan is out for a few games, Lito can do the shuffle on that side. If the corner starting opposite Finnegan goes down, Sheppard can play there. He would also give the Titans the option of putting Finny on the other team’s #1 WR, no matter which side he lined up on. Sheppard would then match up with the opposing #2, no matter where he lined up.

 

The Titans didn’t have the luxury of flipping their corners with Harper, who only played the left side, or with Hood, who only played on the right.

 

As was the case with Witherspoon, Sheppard was released because he would have been too expensive to keep by his former team. In Sheppard’s case, it was a $10 million bonus.

 

Sheppard will be 29 and entering his ninth NFL season, is now on the downside of his career. As Scaggs’ tune goes, Lido says,

 

 

I would agree that Lito has one more good season in him. Maybe more than one, depending on how he’s used.

 

The Titans could do better than starting Lito at corner but he would still be a valuable fall-back option in case a younger player isn’t able to prove that he’s ready. And if the Titans sign Lito it would also mean I’d listen to Boz Scaggs and the Lido Shuffle a little more. 

 

There you have it, Eric. If writing this didn’t help then get out your rabbit’s foot and four-leaf clover and we’ll see if Lito pays the Titans a visit. Thanks again for your comment; comments are always welcomed and appreciated here.