Cat Scratch Reader: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: NHL Free Agency Coverage: NHL Rumors, NHL Signings & Trades


When Should the Panthers Resign DE Julius Peppers?…Now!

If the Panther brass wanted confirmation that Julius Peppers will return to form in 2008 before signing him to what will surely be a huge contract I think they got it Saturday night. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say Julius Peppers is going to have a fantastic season. I’m thinking he could top the Panther season record of 15 sacks (Kevin Greene - 1998) and as well change the course of a few games. So why not go ahead and sign him now before his value goes even higher, if that is possible. (Word is that JScott over at SBN Bucs site Buc ‘em has offered his left testicle for the Bucs to sign Pep…Ha!).

Panthers T Jordan Gross has been battling Pep in Panther camp since he came into the league. If anyone should know if Pep is back in form it would be Jordan and here’s what he had to say recently about Peppers play this preseason:

Earlier in training camp, teammate Jordan Gross said of Peppers: “I think he’s going to have his best year ever. He’s better than I’ve ever seen him. Barring anything unknown, there’s no reason he won’t go out and set records.”

Seriously, we know the Panthers will do everything they can to sign him. Maybe they still want to see production during the regular season before starting negotiations (though it’d rumored they are already talking). As I said, I’m sold that the Pep we’ve grown to love in Carolina is back and the notion that Pep might actually leave Carolina after this season makes me nauseous. I hope further delay by the Panthers doesn’t give Pep the feeling of being under-appreciated. So let’s derail this distraction before it even begins.

Lock-up Julius Peppers long-term…now.

 

Poll
When should the Panthers try to resign Julius Peppers?
Immediately
48 votes
Mid-season
10 votes
End of the season
6 votes
Let him walk, he's over-rated
10 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 2 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Here's my counter argument...

Contract years are generally great for the team. If he plays up to the hype we’ve all heaped upon him- the team wins, and Peppers lands a big long term contract.

The problem here, is the fact that we risk losing him to the market.

I can only assume that with the money we’ve spent on him thus far (3rd highest player in the NFL last year, I believe), that we are willing to cough up the highest DE salary on the market (Freeney got a $72 million [$30 guaranteed] / 6 year deal.)

But
...

If he gets hurt or has another down year, his value (most likely) plummets. Assuming this happens and the Panthers still want him, we get him at a relatively bargain-basement price.

Either way, I think the Panthers stand to win if Peppers has to play for the payday.

Imagine inking him now, and sitting through another 2.5 sack year- yikes…

by the bomb dot com on Aug 13, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very good point

If the price isn’t going to be much higher mid-season or even end of season then there is no incentive for the Panthers to get it done now. You make a good point, resigning him early may have a negative effective. It could happen, but I really think he has a chip his shoulder. Given the type of guy he is I bet he wants to dominate this season regardless. Still, if he’s going to be the highest paid DE in the league regardless, there’s no reason to sign him early unless you worry about dissing him somehow.

Good comment, you are the bomb!

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Aug 13, 2008 10:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog focused on the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
Start posting about the Panthers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small
Remembering Super Bowl XXXVIII
Marley_small
Peppers versus some select DE's.
Everette_brown_small
The Future of Carolina Wide Receivers
Burger_king_small
A Look at some of Julius Peppers' Career Splits
Funny-hilarious-kid-child-pics-162_small
Preseason Predictions: Gameday 45
Small
Panthers Rushing Attack Ranked #1 by Foxsports
Small
Mike Mckenzie a good option for Carolina
Small
Jason Kyle has jumped to the Saints
Small
Brayton should start DT next to Kemo
Small
Johnson or Brown for starter?

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports