In my opinion the Panthers should let him go. To me he plays when he wants to play. I dont see him giving 100% on every play. His salary last year really hurt is in that it took up too much of the cap. Hes not worth what he thinks he is.

I feel as though this is gonna be one of those you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone situations. He’s one of the best, if not the best. Hope we don’t let our pride get in the way of a SB run.

free up that money we can get 3 maybe 4 quality players with that money charles johnson is a up and comer he just needs the nod to start

let him go…he has come to TRUST his agent and that appears to be the one relationship he’s not willing to end…let the next team deal with his agent….Very sad that a player of this potential dosent have a warm blooded human he trusts enough to open his eyes to the truth about this obvious Snake thats really calling the shots…his agent.Does Peppers not have a family member out there that can explain to him the truth about whats going on???Very Sad..I’m gonna miss him

I feel confident that this Agent could probably replace reverend Wright at the pulpit…Peppers is the victim of being offered the highest contract of any defensive player in the game…BUT ONLY BY A LITTLE?WTF WTF….Agent is down WRIGHT EVIL…Peppers needs intervention to save this great player from his AGENT!Peppers really is the VICTIM!….but of WRONG Agentitice…Wake Up PEP…Please

Peppers acknowledged that the Panthers tried to make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league after the 2007 season but only "very slightly" and added that he "didn’t feel the sincerity behind the offer."

This quote made me laugh out loud. So what you’re saying, Pep, is that even though this organization tried to make you the highest paid player in the league on your side of the ball, you don’t think they really want you around?!?!?

I mean, what the hell does “very slightly” even mean? How much more than EVERYONE ELSE IN THE LEAGUE do you need to get paid, Pep? 1 million? 10 million? If the organization you play for is offering you the highest contract there is, how does that NOT represent how much they want you to play for them? I don’t care whether the contract is 300k higher, or 300 MILLION higher. A number that size can be nothing BUT sincere, and saying that it isn’t is either being deliberately obtuse, or showing stupidity of the highest magnitude.

I gotta say, I was all for the Panthers pulling out the stops to re-sign this guy. His impact in the games where he actually shows up is THE difference, even though I had some concerns about his play in other games, where he seems to kinda mail it in. He really is the kind of player who can turn a whole game around on one play, causing turnovers that either are directly turned into points, or are giving the offense the short field. I had a conversation with my brother the day of the Super Bowl, talking about how we CANNOT afford to let this guy go, even if we get draft picks for him in return. I just felt like no matter what, we were NOT going to get an upgrade at that position from the draft or anywhere else…..

Key word in that last statement is “FELT”. As in past tense. Pep has gone from being a “pride and glory” player to a “paycheck” player. Somehow. Somewhere. Maybe that is simply the result of a money-grubbing agent. But for whatever reason, he has lost that competitive edge, evidenced by his willingness to play hard on SOME days, instead of on ALL days, and certainly needs to go elsewhere now. Which just KILLS me.

He has the ability, if he brings it on EVERY play, to be a Hall of Famer, I have no doubt in my mind. He grew up here, played his college ball here, and has an opportunity to retire as the greatest Panther ever, in my book. In the city of Charlotte, the guy has carte blanche for Christ sake. Instead of THAT, you’d rather be a merc, Pep. Playing for the money, instead of the cheers of the fans and the glory of the being the best, the way a true gladiator should. WTFXUP?

I love the Panthers just like everyone else here and we all need to realize that this situation is only going to get worse. Thanks to “Big Cat” Jerry Richardson we are one of the best franchise’s in THE league. Throughout our short tenure we have been able to play strong football and completely avoid the limelight. If I recall only a few years ago, we were on the SI Cover with Moose’s finger to his lips, “The Secret is Out”. (If that cover isn’t framed in your secret man cave, then well…shame on you). With all this being said, it is time for Peppers to go. I personally do not blame him, but absolutely agree with what everyone else has said about his agent Grima Wormtongue (courtesy of Revshawn). Either way, I pity Peppers in a way because he has no idea what he is doing to himself. Leaving one of the best franchises around to end up wherever his agent lands him a job. Yeah he will be making the big bucks, but he’ll never have the Carolina Pride cheering him on again. Overall, he is done here and I have a feeling it will be an even rougher relationship as this break up continues. Even after he leaves he will be a tough spot to fill and our wounds will hurt when we try a quick fix with the “Salt”. But guess what Panther fans, we got another Super Bowl run just right around the corner with Mr. Moore at the helm.

Withing this interview you see contradictions. Last season the Panthers offered him a long term deal making him the highest paid at his position. He did NOT respond to the offer so they franchised him. Now that the Panthers realize he takes plays off, is known by his teammates to NOT be worth the money, and that he no longer can catch QB’s who leave the pocket (see Eagles game film!), he wants to whine and complain.

When Peppers first came here, I was one of his biggest supporters, but over the past three seasons I have found why teams no longer double team him. If he played half as hard as Jared Allen or his own teammate, Jon Beason, this salary situation would not be a distraction to improving the team.

In closing, I wish him well in another city. I wish Carolina the best using the 20 million to fill holes needing filling, and I hope that they find Jake a new home a well!

Peppers knows he’s on a bad team now and wants a chance to play on a real contender. He’s a gamer; he wants to win.

Send him to the Patriots or the Eagles and he’ll have a chance to play his heart out and take a team to the Super Bowl. The Panthers just don’t have what it takes to really make use of his unique talents.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2010/02/peppers-nfls-thirdhighest-paid-in-09-according-to-nflpa-figures.html#comments

Greed is a terrible thing.

Look at this top ten list — other than Manning, Big Ben, and Brady, who was worth it?

I’ve been reading a lot of people’s comments and I understand that the fans are heated with Peppers and his agent. But we all have to remember, Peppers and his agent is doing what is best for his family, and that should be their primary focus. The agent is a huge D-bag, but money is money. Lebron said it best when he said that players shouldn’t have to show loyalty to teams b/c 9 times out of 10, teams don’t show loyalty to players. Look at the LT situation, LT put the Chargers on the map, but now they’re about to cut him.

I want Peppers to be on the team for sure, but I think the Panthers could live without him. I would rather us spend money on the offense because I don’t think the Panthers are too far from being UNSTOPPABLE on offense.

All I’m trying to say is I think Peppers has proved over time that he is a good person and not just a greedy a**hole. But we can’t trash Peppers and his agent for trying to get more money, b/c that is always the goal for anyone. Remember, we can’t place judgement on someone’s financial situation, all we can do is wish him luck. He at least deserves that.

Carl Carey is the biggest moron to ever dream about being an NFL agent; the guy is totally clueless. For crying out loud when is Peppers going to think for himself already ?? I am sick and tired of the drama and we could get 3-5 good players if not starters for what Peppers is costing and the DE market in this year draft looks good as well.

Peppers is really upset at himself b/c the Panthers are doing exactly what he did to us as a organization last year; we are saying little of nothing and just kicking back and watching Peppers spin his wheels.

Set Peppers free and save the money for this season and whenever we play football after 2010 season LOL if a new CBA agreement cannot be reached.

The Peppers situation and the situation regarding the money that teams are throwing at Top Picks in each years draft in the main reason why a strike is going to happen in the NFL.

When do you pro athletes have or get enough money ?? Look at this economy seriously is a player worth a 7yr $100 + contract give me a break, enough is enough. Let the NFL players go on strike and bring on the replacement players I would have no problem with it.

While people are lambasting Peppers on this post because he doesn’t have the proper loyalty to his team, this blog has been running an ongoing series of posts regarding whether or not ( you fill in the player’s name) should be cut.