Julius Peppers Wants Out

After speculating all week, It appears to be official Julius Peppers doesn't want to return to the Panthers next year. So what is the best way to deal with this? Franchise and trade? Franchise and force to play? or let him hit the open market?

(Thanks guys for the links)

9 months ago LittleKing 20 comments 0 recs |

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Yeah, you could tell something was up by the way he was talking

I wonder if his attitude was part of the reason for the defense faltering down the stretch.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 17, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point

didn’t think about that, but if he wanted out and he new it then he probably wasn’t as concerned about what happened on the field.

by LittleKing on Jan 17, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Does this mean a Defensive overhaul?

It looks like we have nothing left on D but linebackers, 2 decent safeties, and one corner (Gamble). So assuming Lucas is out… we need a corner, 1 or 2 DE and DT. AND the defense wasn’t playing that great with Pep, so these positions need to be filled with really good players.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jan 17, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Franchising him and trading him

would be difficult because no team would pay for a guy that a year later would become a free agent

by MauMontaV5 on Jan 17, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe

the new team would have rights to deal a new contract. Otherwise you are right. I think the limit on a new contract is only with the team that did the franchising.

by LittleKing on Jan 17, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I appreciate you answering, I am a Dolphin fan

and since there is the possibility that JP leaves you guys, we could end up being the team that gets him, because of the huge salary cap space we have, and the 3-4 defense, but just wanted to say congratulations on a great season and that after a few right moves, you will be clear 09 super bowl contenders, the best of luck, have a great off season guys.

by MauMontaV5 on Jan 18, 2009 6:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, they could talk contract with Peppers before trading for him

kinda like the Vikings with Jared Allen last year.

That trade net the Chiefs a first rounder & two 3rd rounders. I wonder if the Panthers could get around that (given the questions of his motivation).

The Utah Jazz
3rd Down & Full Count

by UtesFan89 on Jan 18, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a Question

I’m a Texans fan so Imtoo familiar with the inner workings of your organization. I was wondering if you guys should shed some light n why he wants out so bad. I found it odd because he played college ball there, and then his entire career. What happened to get him looking for the exit? Thanks.

Let's get a better fight song.

by Jake on Jan 17, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

Meant to say “not too familiar”. Typo.

Let's get a better fight song.

by Jake on Jan 17, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From ESPN.com

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-7-104/Weighing-in-on-the-Peppers-situation.html

When Peppers was playing miserably in 2007 (just 2.5 sacks), I asked a teammate about the widespread rumors that something might be wrong physically. The teammate laughed, said no and pointed to his head.

by LittleKing on Jan 17, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The new team could sign him olong-term

I can’t believe his reasons:

"He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense," Carey said. "He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities."

What? Whaaaat! He wants to play in a 3-4? So he’s jealous of DeMarcus Ware? Oh please, so he wants to be an OLB. Thats rediculous

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 17, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

long-term deal

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 17, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Terrell Suggs or Adalius Thomas

seem like more appropriate figures to compare to. Big guys used in creative and aggressive ways. If I were a player of his caliber, and I saw what Pittsburgh and Baltimore and even New England and Philadelphia were doing week in and week out, I’d want to play in those aggressive kinds of systems, too. I mean, as a fan, I’d like to see our defense spoken of in the same reverential and fearful tone that people speak of those defenses.

So I understand completely why Peppers would want to move along.

Please excuse me while I try to mend my broken (now shattered) heart.

by r3 on Jan 17, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Does he want to be a line backer or a DE in a 3-4? A DE in a 3-4 is more meant to collapse the pocket then actually pressure the quarterback so if he wants to get sacks thats the wrong possission to play.

by archon095 on Jan 17, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OLB in a 3-4

That would make the most sense for him. He’s got good speed and height to play coverage or pass rush (which he would mostly be used for in a 3-4). As a Dolphin fan, I could see him being a perfect fit for Miami.

Winner of All Movie Quote Challenges

by DolfinPhan on Jan 18, 2009 2:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whats up fellow Dolphin fan, I think the same

I think he has enough athletic ability to be an OLB in a 3-4 and Ill say why
In a snap against Arz, he was getting ready to go after theQB, then while he is in his pursuit, the pocket collapses and he suddenly stops chasing the Kurt Warner, drops back into coverage and nails the RB behind the line of scrimmage when he got a short pass on a screen pass play, and in a objective and honest point of view, I think that is trademark OLB-DE in a 3-4 scheme type of play.

by MauMontaV5 on Jan 18, 2009 6:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Move over Carolina

my dream is almost a reality, ha! Yeah right… apparently he wants to play in a 3-4 defense and wants to play for a contender, two things the Bucs are not…

Damn i hate this, at least he’s leaving Carolina

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Jan 17, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They would never trade him to another NFC Souther

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 17, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

trade?

he’s going to be a FA… nobody is going to trade anything for a guy that will be free? Carolina can’t afford to franchise tag Peppers literally or monetarily…

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Jan 19, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hall of Fame

I think that if I was a physical speciman, and I saw on a consistent basis other players putting up huge numbers and I got dropped into coverage half the F*&^ing time, I would be feed up to. The DC seems to drop every one into a 10-20 yard soft zone and expects that the front 4 will do something.

I swear that our defense is the same one used in most high schools. The DC has no inventiveness nor any guts. I think I would run somewhere else if I was Pep.

And before we get pissed at him, let us all remember that he never complained or threw anyone else under the bus. He did what we all say professionals should do, up hold their end of their contract and then move on. I say we franshise him and allow Pep to work a deal with a team of his choice and get a first and second or a couple of thirds.

by travelenman333 on Jan 17, 2009 8:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs