A Peppers Franchise Tag Could Cost the Panthers $17M

by Jaxon on Dec 3, 2008 2:20 PM EST

Matt Loede over at Panther Gab spreads a rumor that the Panthers would apply the franchise tag to Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers if they are unable to get a long-term deal done.

Charley Casserly of CBS is reporting that the Panthers are going to apply the franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers, that is if the team can't work out a long term deal. The one-year franchise tender for Peppers - more than $17 million.

Having applied the tag to LT Jordan Gross in the offseason the Panthers are not afraid of using the pricey option. I have to say though $17M is some serious coin for a one year deal. I think it makes it imperative for the Panther brass to work a deal before this becomes a necessity.

Given Peppers is tied for 4^th in the NFC with 11 sacks the price isn't going to get any lower by dragging this out. I imagine the sticking point is the amount of guaranteed money, the incentive clauses and the length of the contract. I thinks its also a no-brainer that Peppers will be the highest paid player in Panther team history.

Poll

Should the Panthers apply the franchise tag to Julius Peppers even if it costs $17M or more for the 2009 season?

Yes, he's worth every penny

38 votes

No, its too much coin

27 votes

65 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

If he doesn't want to be a long-term Panther...

I’d tag and trade him. At least get something for this phenom.

I’m scared that he secretly is tired of NC after spending his whole life here.

I am basing that on absolutely nothing, btw.

by the bomb dot com on Dec 3, 2008 4:07 PM EST reply actions

I think the chances of him resigning is higher....

If the Panthers get a good playoff run. If he cares about the money only he’s going to do his best to draw the franchise tag deal if he can get it. But if we make a deep playoff run and prove we have a chance to win the Super Bowl, he’ll probably assume that his chances of success here isn’t that much greater than anywhere else.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Dec 3, 2008 7:39 PM EST reply actions

I completely agree

Not only that, but I think resigning Gamble will and should also show Peppers that the front office likes the nucleus of this defense and wants to keep all them in place (Peppers, Beason, Gamble, Davis, Harris).

Those five in particular are HUGE contributors on our defense and are important to keep for a long time imo.

by ChipperTeixeira89 on Dec 3, 2008 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

Keeping players in place

Hopefully some recently retired players for Carolina have rubbed off on Peppers: Mike Minter and Mike Rucker. They both played their entire careers with the Pathers, not to mention Jon Kasay. It would be a throw back, really—the way players used to want to be in one place their entire careers

by babaandgal on Dec 5, 2008 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

Actually Kasay came over from Seattle

as part of the supplemental draft

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 8, 2008 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

not concerned

I’ve seen in several places that a deal is in the works. I saw one report, I don’t remember where, that Peppers’ agent is content with the way negotiations are going. As we saw with Gamble’s and Kasay’s contract extensions, when the Panthers are working on a deal, they don’t do it in the public eye. You wake up one day and read on-line that a deal was done. I think Peppers’ contract is also pretty simple – 4 or 5 years with more money than Dwight Freeney’s contract. If he wants six, give it to him. Get it done and get ready for the Superbowl. I’m pretty confident we’ll have him until he retires as one of the NFL’s all-time sack leaders, and a first ballot hall of famer.

by usana_gaines on Dec 4, 2008 10:01 AM EST reply actions

You optimism is exceeded only by your love of the Panthers!

Let us hope that Peppers ends up being the first draft pick in the Panthers Hall of Honor

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 4, 2008 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

Optimism

Optimism is good, but when he wins Defensive Player of the Month honors, that may add a little change to the asking price. If he keeps playing this way, he could be the Defensive Player of the Year.

by usana_gaines on Dec 5, 2008 5:01 AM EST reply actions