Without Gross Extension, Peppers Would Have Hit the Market

Apparently, Jordan Gross was told in negotiating his long-term deal that if an agreement had not been reached, he would have received the franchise tag for a second consecutive year. The reasons included the lower price and the difficulty in replacing a stud LT on this years FA market relative to a DE. Boy, that sure would have shaken up the offseason, and probably prevented a lot of headaches.

4 months ago MichaelProcton 17 comments 0 recs |

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That's what I thought!

Of course, Jordan Gross might have been talking crap too. Why would you tell someone during negotiations “Hey! If we don’t sign you to this contract, we’re going to smack you with the huge franchise tag again.”

I’m just saying. Of course, Gross could have always been worried about an injury and then just signed on the line because of that reason, but I’m not going to run out and believe him right away. Something smells fishy here.

Maybe I’m just paranoid. After all, they did overpay Gross a little bit. But it’s a beard-scratcher, no question.

Just glad to have them both back this season.

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

by Revshawn on Jun 28, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You might tell them just so they're not surprised.

Also, I don’t know if it’s possible to overpay an All Pro LT.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont care how we do it but we need to keep Gross and Peppers long term

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jun 28, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There seem to be noises of a long term deal being discussed with Pep.

Seems all the posturing out of Charlotte is going into reverse…

by Barbados on Jun 28, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, the only legit reason for signing Gross is that there was no LT in FA that could fill the need?(according to Grant’s article)Gross doesn’t have the consistency to be considered an all pro tackle, he just gets that benefit from having great running backs. There was a stretch when Gross was King False Start and every sack to Delhomme came from his side. He has shown some improvement but not enough in my opinion to warrant that huge contract.

by D.W.G. on Jun 29, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought he warranted the contract

but the PB selection was a surprise. He wasn’t given much press on his season until the selection so I would be curious to hear from a person in the know as to exactly what did Gross do better this year as opposed to prior years to suddenly warrant all the accolades.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jun 29, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Several reasons:

He didn’t allow many sacks, he was a high draft pick, and somebody had to get some press with as good as our run game was. And, again, he didn’t just make the Pro Bowl. He was a first-team All-Pro, an honor that only goes to two players at the position in the league.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 29, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many sacks did he allow?

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jun 29, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 in 15 starts

Tied for 6th in the league among LTs. The guys ahead of him:

1. Ryan Clady (Broncos) 0.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
2. Michael Roos (Titans) 1.0 sacks allowed (16 starts)
3. Tra Thomas (Eagles) 2.0 sacks allowed (16 starts)
3. Orlando Pace (Rams) 2.0 sacks allowed (14 starts)
5. Jake Long (Dolphins) 2.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)

Here’s a link to a more complete list.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 29, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am REALLY impressed with what Clady and Thomas did.

The Broncos and Eagles throw the ball all day, and to have that kind of production is amazing.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jun 29, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then again, the abilities of your QB can have a lot to do with those numbers.

I love Jake, but he’ll take sacks holding onto the ball for too long that McNabb and Cutler probably wouldn’t. It wasn’t gonna happen without trading up, but I would have loved to see Clady in Panther blue with Gross on the right side. It couldn’t have cost any more than the move to get Otah cost.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 29, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know I am in the minority on this

I was completely prepared for Peppers to not be in a Panthers uniform this upcoming year. When I heard he signed the tag I thought, “crap, that means we aren’t trading him and have to pay him a ton of money.” Not that he is not worth it but I do get tired of his disappearing act at times during the season.

He’s a wonderful DE but I sort of wish we had traded him and gotten some picks. I don’t want to go through this again next year or sign him to a huge deal and watch him get 2.5 sacks again.

by bengoodfella on Jun 29, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because I've been asked this question and I know how I feel:

How would you have felt if he had been traded at “below-market value,” say, a single 2nd-rounder?

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 29, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

forgot to hit reply, see the answer below…

by bengoodfella on Jun 29, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gosh, you know that is hard for me because that is below market value and I think they could have done better. The funny part is that morons like Peter King have said Peppers is not worth a 2nd round pick but if the Panthers really gave him up for that, everyone would say the other team got a steal. I think I would hold off on the trade if they could get a 2nd round pick only. Though we did get Brown in the 2nd round, he did fall.

The Panthers are really in a good situation now. If Peppers stinks, it will lower his value, if he doesn’t stink it will raise his value and they may be able to franchise and trade him…or he could just do whatever he has been doing and the Panthers could still have no interest.

In answer to the question, I would not trade him for a 2nd round pick…but if a team offered a 3rd round pick, I may start thinking about it. He is 30, probably doesn’t have the value he thinks he does, at least when it comes to the trade market, and he takes up a lot of salary cap room that is going to have to be used to sign Beason when Rosenhaus starts complaining about his salary.

by bengoodfella on Jun 29, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't quite say "good" situation.

It’s not ideal to have any player on the cap at over $18 mil, much less one who you can’t count on. Also, the problem with a trade is we’re going to have to expect lower value with him only contract for one year. If a team can’t have the assurance he’s not a rental, they’re not going to want to give up much without knowing how they’ll perform this year.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 29, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs