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

by Jaxon on Aug 13, 2008 2:55 PM EDT

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

47 votes

Mid-season

10 votes

End of the season

6 votes

Let him walk, he's over-rated

10 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

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 actions

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 up reply actions