Quiet Man Making Noise

Sheldon Brown has always been the overlooked/underappreciated member of the Eagles’ secondary. Brian Dawkins got all the acclaim, Lito Sheppard was the first round pick, and Michael Lewis was also drafted ahead of, and got to a pro bowl, before him. There are also some shades of Brian Westbrook to Brown in that he seems to have carried a chip about where he was selected in the draft.

 

But Brown has been a steady presence at corner. Not as skilled in coverage as Sheppard, he made up for it in physicality (especially for a corner) and in rarely giving up a big play. Indeed, there is perennial speculation of moving Brown to safety as the heir apparent to Brian Dawkins’ ability for run support/pass coverage par excellence.

 

Brown is most noted for nearly de-cleating Reggie Bush during the opening drive of the Eagles-Saints divisional playoff game and for being conspicuously quiet during the secondary’s turmoil last year after Asante Samuel signed for big money and Lito Sheppard demanded a contract re-negotiation.

 

Turns out, Brown was as unhappy with his contract in the wake of the Samuel signing as Sheppard. But Brown sought a behind the scenes effort to redo his deal while Sheppard loudly made his displeasure known and subsequently demanded a trade. But it appears that what has really set Brown off is the Eagles’ denial that they are aware of his displeasure.

 

Brown has developed into a real leader on the team. And with the departure of Dawkins and Sheppard, the secondary has already lost a lot of depth and needs Brown’s veteran presence more than ever. Then again, signing an 8 year contract extension wasn’t the brightest thing in the world. And Brown’s experience is a cautionary tale to upcoming free agents who are thinking about long-term deals prior to a new CBA.