Peppers signs Carolina tender … now what?
Written by Erik Scalavino on June 24, 2009 – 3:51 pm -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.
Posted in General |
June 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Well with no one expecting it to happen and adding the fact it would be very difficult to put something together this late. I say Bill has him in a Pats uniform within 3 days.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Nah-the window has shut on Peppers coming to Towne…bill likely won’t be flashing any huge numbers at this point to bring him in as vino alluded to….
June 24th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I just don’t see how this gets done for us. I admit I originally was on the Peppers to Pats bandwagon but I just don’t see how it’s going to work! However, if Vince wants to play games, this can be his money gone to JP!
June 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I can’t deny that Peppers would be a great addition to the Pats. He just doesn’t seem to fit the Pats team first philosophy. I don’t see this deal happening unless Peppers decides to take a cut in pay. Even a superstar like Moss took a pay cut to be a Patriot. I hope Peppers realizes that he has made more money than he or his family will ever need, and put a priority on winning a Super Bowl. That’s not going to happen in Carolina for some time….
June 24th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Erik, I know you probably have been asked this before but who would you rather shell out the money for: Peppers or Wilfork?
June 24th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Bill has said that he couldnt do anything, until peppers signed his tender and the fact that Taylor went to Miami. Theres a good chance peppers will be here come trainung camp…I HOPE so…Can you say SUPER BOWL #4 ???????
June 24th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Unless subject to injury we have some solid players at both OLB and DE.. Mike Wright is a solid NT/DE, along with Jarvis Green and our regular dogs (Seymour and Warren), not to mention the tackles, so the line looks like we have the depth, remember we went several games without Seymour in 2007 season. As far as OLB, yeah sure I’d like to have more depth but I’m just saying that due to T.McKenzie’s injury. But S. Crable had some great OLB combine numbers. Maybe Paris Lenon can play OLB, however I don’t think he’s fast enough to cover guys like Dustin Keller of the jets, (all-pro, future hall of famer) Tony Gonzalez of Atlanta, Kellen Winslow of Tampa, Jared Cook(whom should be a Patriot) of Tenn, A. Fasano of Miami (aka: the dark side), (maybe D. Clark), Jeremy Shockey of New Orleans, O. Daniels of Texas. We no longer have a weak group of TE’s to face. We need a fast LOLB to cover these guys. I work for a hotel and if I went to a different hotel then I may not do as well and the same goes for Tully Banta-Cain, even though he’s not the top OLB of the league he understands the system and has worked under it before but I don’t think he’s fast enough either. Now who start at LOLB, I don’t know. But in Belichick we trust.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
On second thought… If Wilfork is most likely out of New England at the end of the season and J. Peppers/Panthers can manage a trade for picks and New England can restructure a new long/medium term deal. Then yes, bring the Pep over! Heck, Let’s have a “Pep” rally! But if not, lets keep who we have and train up S. Crable and Banta-Cain..
June 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I hope it gets done, but I feel the odds are pretty low.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Vince Wolfork is a true Patriot …but theres NO WAY the Pats will pay him anywhere near Market Value next year. It doesn’t make sense to break the bank for a 2 down NT. As much as appreciate everything that Wolfork has done for the Pats ,it’s pretty EZ to see the writing on the wall. ( You do not draft 3 wide bodies who can play Nose tackle - Brace / Pryor /Richards - If you’re planning on paying top 5 positional money to Wolfork ~ the minimum his agent is going to seek ).
That said , if a deal was struck for Peppers ( Wilfork & one of our three 2010 2nd rounders ? ) I’m not sure how the Pats would work out the cap space issue . BOTTOMLINE : I gotta believe that the Pats D is better off with PEPPERS and BRACE / J Green / Wright ( and possibly one of the other rookies )taking up the slack for the departed Wolfork.
My gut feeling is : If a PEEPERS TO PATS deal is going to go down - it’s gonna happen over the next 48 hours .
June 25th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I think overall at the linebacker position we are in deep trouble. The patriots have looked into Greg Ellis offered him money he went to Okland and also looked into Julius Peppers the only way they could get him if they paid big money and gave draft picks. I dont think there alot of free agents or players to trade. Mabye the patriots will find someone who can play it from the draft.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Well you never know, Moss took a cut to go to the Pats, and there are players that were willing to take cuts to stay there. The chance at a SB Ring I think Peppers if traded might be willing to lower his numbers just a little bit to have that chance. Plus he would turn from a monster into a god amongst men if he went to the Pats.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:04 am
J. Peppers is awesome and would make a great addition to the Patriot organization for sure but at what cost?
A ring on his finger could sway him to some point but let’s be real, does he want the money or the ring?
My thoughts would be if Mr. Kraft wants him and another ring then it’ll happen! I’m sure Bill knows what’s best for the TEAM!! GO PATS!!
June 30th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Being a big Pats fan and living in North Carolina, I do not see Peppers going to the Pats. Too many moving parts this late in the game. Peppers is a great player and watched him play in college (both football and basketball). Overall the Pats have improved the D so far. I can not wait to see them in action!!
July 1st, 2009 at 9:55 am
In the end it’s going to be about the numbers. Bill has always proven that his system works regardless who’s in there. JP may be a good a fit but like the FAvre thing, if its going to happen it needs to be now. Bill has a different system. GO PATS!!!!