So, following the news of his signing his franchise tender from Carolina, here is the statement that Julius Peppers released via his agent, Carl Carey.

“I have signed the franchise tender and am now under a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.  Recently, I’ve had positive and productive discussions with the organization.  I am optimistic and focused as I look forward to the upcoming NFL season.”

Brief as it is, the communiqué makes it sound like he’s going to remain a Panther. But if you take note of the careful wording, he didn’t actually say he was optimistic about being in Carolina, just that he was looking forward to the 2009 season.

The door does appear to be closing on a Peppers-to-Pats deal, but this statement might leave it ajar just enough for a last-minute transaction.

On a related note, in my previous post, a reader commented with a question about whom I’d prefer the Pats sign, Peppers or Vince Wilfork. Given the importance of a true nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme, which New England employs, I believe Wilfork is a more pressing need. Particularly with the proliferation of 3-4 bases around the NFL, players like Wilfork are becoming more of a commodity.

However, that wouldn’t necessarily preclude New England from also making a move for Peppers. It  would just mean they’d have to part ways, most likely, with a number of other players to fit both of them under the salary cap.  Again, that seems like a less likely scenario today than it did, say, three or four months ago. It’s still a possibility, but an increasingly remote one, in my estimation.

According to the Carolina Panthers website, DE Julius Peppers has finally signed his franchise tender.

The Panthers media staff is writing and team officials are quoted as if they expect to hold onto the disgruntled All-Pro, who stated earlier this off-season that he wanted out of Charlotte and onto a team, like New England, that plays the 3-4 because he wanted to switch to outside linebacker. Whether or not they actually do remains to be seen, however.

After having been rumored to covet Peppers, the Pats reportedly made offers to or expressed at least mild interest in three other DE/OLB types this off-season: Greg Ellis, Derrick Burgess, and Jason Taylor. It will be interesting to see what, if any, overtures are made for Peppers during this, what is normally the quietest time on the NFL calendar.

Working out a deal for Peppers would be tricky for any team, including New England, because of the hefty price tag he would command. But it’s certainly not out of the question. And if such a move were to take place, it might be better to do that now, before training camp begins and the roster is still unsettled.

Needless to say, today’s news will make the next few weeks a lot more interesting.

Though he’s in the final year of his contract, Tedy Bruschi isn’t sure if he’s in the final year of his NFL career. He said this week that he’s leaving his options open.

Here’s a sample of what the Patriots LB told The Boston Globe about his plans for the season ahead and thereafter.

“I have to give them everything I have this year and only think about what’s next. I’m going to prepare myself for this season, only think about this season, and when the season is over, which is a long ways away, then you think about delving into those decisions.’’

Lately, there couldn’t be two more perfect, contrasting examples of  what  veteran players can do when it comes to the twilight of their careers: Brett Favre and Rodney Harrison.  I just hope when it comes time for him to decide — whenever that may be – that Bruschi takes a cue from his former teammate.

The Boy Scouts motto has been the order of business in New England during an offseason filled with departures to both the coaching staff and the personnel department.

After losing top man Scott Pioli to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Patriots watched scouts Jay Muraco, Marvin Allen and Jim Nagy leave for various posts around the league. We can add another name to the list — Adam Peters.

Peters is now with Denver, where he’ll join Josh McDaniels as part of the Broncos personnel department. He was an area scout last year and had been in the Patriots personnel department for six seasons.

It’s pretty slow around the office today — and quiet since Andy is away on vacation — so I thought I’d post a couple of tidbits that may or may not be of any interest to Pats fans.

The first has to do with the recently completed U.S. Open. Ricky Barnes, who entered Monday with a share of the lead, is the son of former Patriots punter Bruce Barnes. The elder Barnes appeared in 23 games with New England from 1973-74. I wasn’t aware of the connection until NBC showed Bruce’s 1974 Topps’ football card as part of its coverage on Sunday. Because I remember this kind of useless stuff — and because I’m old — the sight of the card immediately caught my eye and I remembered having it as part of my collection as a kid.

Unfortunately, the wheels fell off for Ricky Barnes in the final round and he wound up at 2-under with a tie for second place, two shots behind the winner, Lucas Glover.

The second item involves a former Patriots training camp participant, Pat Downey. Downey, who was an offensive lineman trying to earn a roster spot back in 2002, is serving as a strength and conditioning coach at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Mass. Downey made a few appearances in camp over the past couple of years and is making his way into the coaching ranks.