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I know it's not like likely but imagine......


Julius Peppers has formally asked the Panthers to allow him to seek employment elsewhere.

The Panthers have let it be known that they plan to franchise Peppers if they could not reach a long-term deal with him, but Peppers wants the opportunity to hit the open market. Carolina has nothing to gain by letting their franchise defensive end leave without compensation, so we can expect this one to get ugly

Perhaps a Jared Allen situation, with the Panthers franchising Peppers and only trading him for somewhere in the vicinity of a 1st and 2 3rd rounders.

Yeah, no chance they could afford to resign Gross and Peppers. It would be a dream to sign either Peppers or Haynesworth. A wet dream, haha.

It'd probably cost over 15 mill to franchise him.

They can and will likely cut some players such as Jake. These moves should free up enough cap space to sign both players.

By all reports it seems Gross is looking at one of the biggest if not biggest contract for an offensive lineman. With interest being shown by tons of team (such as the Redskins with all their cash).

Haynesworth will be a huge mistake for anyone who signs him IMO. He has a checkered past plus uneven play until his contract year, those are the ones you stay away from.

aaprigs311 wrote:It'd probably cost over 15 mill to franchise him.

It will be much less than that. Last year the franchise tag on a defensive end was $8.879 mil.

If he didn't have that horrible season in 2007 I'd give serious thought to offering up our #9 overall for his services. But the fact that he bounced back in a contract year gives me serious pause.

MickeyDavis wrote:

aaprigs311 wrote:It'd probably cost over 15 mill to franchise him.

It will be much less than that. Last year the franchise tag on a defensive end was $8.879 mil.

His salary last season was over $15 million. The tag is equal to 120% of that number. That's why it would run the Panthers around $17 mil.

EDIT: Looks like those that are reporting the 17 million number are assuming he's going to get the Exclusive rights tag. Not sure why that's assumed. It's cheaper to use the Non-exlusive (top 5 salaries), and if he goes elsewhere the Panthers get two first rounders.

Gross will re-sign, Peppers will get tagged.

I'd give him a Woodson like contract where its mostly incentive laced and isn't the end of the world if he doesn't pan out.

It appears his motivation for moving on is the system. He doesn't want to play in a 4-3 anymore. I'm sure he sees what guys like Harrison, Merriman and Ware are doing and wants in.

Julius would be one big m-f'er at OLB. Not sure how I feel about that.

Have you seen anywhere that it specifically says he wants to move on from a 4-3? I've seen that he wants a "different system," but that's a bit vague. It certainly could be the implication, but not necessarily...

hmmmmmm just a radical idea, have the Panthers sign Peppers, trade him to the Packers for Aaron Kampman, hire Capers and go to the 3-4....You would then be able to easily flip to the 3-4 with your impact, stand-up guy and the Panthers would get a quality end who plays with his hand in the mud.....NOW that is creative;).

MikeIsGood wrote:Julius would be one big m-f'er at OLB. Not sure how I feel about that.

Have you seen anywhere that it specifically says he wants to move on from a 4-3? I've seen that he wants a "different system," but that's a bit vague. It certainly could be the implication, but not necessarily...

SI.com

Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers' first-round pick in 2002, believes Carolina's defensive system is not for him -- even after recording a career-high 141/2 sacks this season.

"He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina," his agent, Carl Carey, said Saturday. "But the decision that he faced was, do I stay in Carolina and perhaps never reach my full potential? Or do I open myself to the possibilities to finish my career elsewhere? He chose the latter."

Carey, who first told ESPN.com of Peppers' decision early Saturday, said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.

"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."

Yeah I assumed it would be the top 5 tag. not the other one. But you never know.

Thanks, DB.

Best of luck to him playing OLB in a 3-4. 6'8, pushing 300lbs...that'll be a new one. If anyone can pull it off, it'll be him with his athletic ability. It would sure be interesting to watch. Success would probably depend on how often he is relied on to do something other than rush the passer.

I wonder how the Panthers could afford to keep Peppers anyway if they also intend to resign Gross because Gross is going to get a massive contract. Quality left tackles are always pricey, but a 28 year old free agent high quality left tackle is going to command a likely biggest contract ever for an offensive lineman.

El Duderino wrote:I wonder how the Panthers could afford to keep Peppers anyway if they also intend to resign Gross because Gross is going to get a massive contract. Quality left tackles are always pricey, but a 28 year old free agent high quality left tackle is going to command a likely biggest contract ever for an offensive lineman.

Several articles have basically said that

Panthers can afford 2 of 3 of Peppers, Gross & Delhome and that Jake will be the one out.
Gross wants to stay and YES he will become the highest paid OL.
Panthers will tag Peppers and will try to convince him to stay but MAY have to trade him.
Pepper's price figures to be like Jared Allen's a 1st & 2 3rds.

Also JS article says Peppers won't insist on a 3-4 team but its a preference. He is insisting on different system where he can expand. Apparently meaning a more aggressive D.

Since Pepper's wiling to play either scheme as long as its aggressive - he does sound like a fit for Pack who may morph from 1 scheme to the other and either way definitely want to be more aggressive.

I know it almost a guarantteed NO as its not TT's way and I'm OK with that. But imagine for a moment...

Peppers gets 17mil & Pack can frontload the heck out of it.
Pack gives up 1st & 3rd this year & 3rd next year.
Jenkins becomes supersub - replacing Pickett on Pass downs
and gives Kamp & Pep regular blows without any loss of production.
Use our other 3rd from Jets on best DT available and competes with Jolly & Harrell for DT.
Use our 2nd round pick on the best prospect among OT or OG availalble.
(4th on LB and 5th on another DT)
(Thompson #4 DE).

Could TT break the mold and make a splash?
He would quickly silence all critics proving he's going all in.

The pass rush would be fixed and awesome.
Depth at DE would be great.
IF Jolly Harrell or 3rd pick play consistently even at a B- level we're set.

Please give 2 answers..
Would you do it?
What percent chance 0-100 do think TT does it?