LJ Shelton: "I'm not fat, I'm big boned"!

LJ Shelton has been wondering why he has been relegated to stints with the 2nd team unit and the 3rd but not the 1st.  The long time veteran who has never really reached his “potential” has seen the first team unit only in a practice or two and that was due to the injury Anthony Alabi.

Shelton has been so concerned about his status that he has asked offensive line coach Hudson Houck why he has been demoted.  Houcks’ reply?  “you’re too fat”.  Paraphrased of course.  Sheltons’ reply?  “I’m not fat, I’m big boned”.  Sorry Cartman, no excuse.

The fact is that Shelton weighs unofficially at 345 and the Miami Dolphins want him around 330.  O.k.  I need to lose some weight.  15 pounds to me would be a lot.  If Shelton lost 15 pounds would anyone really notice?  Seriously, we are talking the difference between THREE hundred pounds and THREE hundred pounds.  Is he going to gain a better 40 time or something?  I can’t wait to hear the comments of some media guy, “WOW, Shelton has really slimmed down.  He is looking like a very fit 330 pounder”.  You know someone will.

The point is that Shelton is wondering why his being ignored, according to a comment by his agent.  When the official, first depth chart came out, he was listed as the teams 2nd RG.  He is in the 2nd year of a 15 million dollar contract after leaving the Browns prior to last season.  Shelton has no excuses, he is a veteran and his work ethic has been somewhat questionable in the past.  There were very few fans jumping up and down when Shelton came to town.

If Shelton is sitting behind rookie Drew Mormino or a Chris Liwienski than it is Sheltons’ job to win his spot back.  Otherwise, LJ may find himself looking for employment by years end.  In fact, the talk of Jets lineman Pete Kendall is still being thrown around, his signing could easily spell the end of Shelton.

Sheltons’ agent has said that he has been assured that he is in their plans as one of the top 5 olineman and that come the start of the season he thinks he will be the starter.  In the meantime, he will have to sit behind Anthony Alabi and wait for the extra 15 pounds to melt away.

You can read more on this subject with more comments from Sheltons’ agent here, at the Palm Beach Post.