CB Sheppard had deal done with Vikings to backup Griffin

A deal was done between former New York Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard and the Minnesota Vikings and brought the nine-year veteran who was selected to Pro Bowl twice into the No. 26 Vikings jersey. Therefore, the Vikings have less concern about the cornerback while starter Cedric Griffin is still recovering from a knee injury.

With the addition of Sheppard, the Vikings now have as many as three secondary cornerbacks and one starter while waiting for Griffin’s return. Antoine Winfield and backups Benny Sapp and Asher Allen is now facing a more furious competition for possible starting job at cornerback in case Griffin is unable to return in time for the regular season. According to reports, the injury suffered during the NFC championship game might cause Griffin not to be ready for the start of the season. And as a former first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002, Sheppard has gone to the playoffs in six of his eight seasons and does have great chance to be named the interim starter.

The Jets did not show any intention to retain Sheppard when this offseason started and the major reason is that he did not give a satisfying season for being impacted by injuries. That’s definitely not what the Jets expected when they acquired him in a trade with the Eagles. Spending seven seasons with the Eagles, Sheppard worked with current Vikings head coach Brad Childress who then was the Eagle’s offensive coordinator for four years. Having a great impression with Sheppard, Childress is believed to make the main efforts in prompting the Vikings to sign Sheppard.