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.