Minnesota Vikings Sign CB Lito Sheppard

After talking his way out of Philadelphia, being traded to the New York Jets, then being cut, Lito Sheppard found himself floating around the free-agent market for a few weeks. But now, after visiting the Detroit Lions a few days ago, Sheppard finds himself in the NFC North, but with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings have been a team identified as needing a cornerback to play behind Antoine Winfield, who is getting a bit long in the tooth, and Cedric Griffin, who suffered a torn ACL late last season.

Sheppard is a shell of his former self, but he’s still a serviceable backup. He’s no longer that guy who will come up with the key interception at the end of the game, and he doesn’t have the speed to take it the other way for the vaunted “pick-6” anymore, but he’s a talented guy who should add great depth to the Vikings’ secondary.

The deal is reportedly for one year and worth about $2 million — a more-than-fair deal for a guy who will likely be the backup for Winfield and Griffin.

He won’t be the “third corner,” as that position is the guy who comes in to play the slot man in the nickel package. That role belongs to Benny Sapp, but Sheppard will be the guy to replace Winfield or Griffin if they go down with an injury or if they just need a breather.

Sheppard reunites with Brad Childress, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator for Sheppard’s first three seasons in Philadelphia.