FALCONS HOT FOR PEPPERS?

[HMFFL]

Pro Bowler becomes unrestricted free agent and Falcons need defensive help

For the second day in a row, Peppers declined to say whether he’d like to remain with the team, and coach John Fox wouldn’t say what preferences Peppers had communicated in their private conversations.

Peppers’ contract is due to expire Feb. 26, making him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. If the Panthers are unable to sign him to a long-term contract extension before then, they could place their franchise tag on him.

If Peppers is franchised, Carolina could have him play under a one-year tender offer in 2009, as offensive tackle Jordan Gross did this season, or trade him to another team.

Unlike Gross, who made it clear he’d like to remain with the Panthers long-term, Peppers has been careful to avoid making his desires known publicly.

“Ideally, I want to be in the best possible situation for myself and for this organization,” said Peppers. “I’m thankful for everything they’ve done for me.

“I don’t want to leave them crippled or in a bad situation and I don’t want to do that to myself either. Whatever works out best for both sides is what I’m comfortable with.”

The Panthers’ season ended abruptly Saturday night with a 33-13 home playoff loss to Arizona.

Peppers had a career high 14.5 sacks during the regular season and was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl. He came within one vote of being a first-team Associated Press all-pro.

http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/spor ... ppers.html

[lpsevier]

Let's just stop messing around and sign Peppers and Haynesworth.

OPEN UP THE CHECKBOOK ARTHUR

[HMFFL]

Defensive end Julius Peppers does not want to continue his career with the Panthers.

Peppers has informed the Panthers that he does not plan to sign a long-term extension this off-season.

Peppers’ agent, Carl Carey, told PA SportsTicker that his client “wants to reach his full potential” with another team. The two-time All-Pro requested his release from the Panthers on Friday night.

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... _carolina/

I hope this is true.

[HMFFL]

Peppers will seek to be traded if tagged

Julius Peppers remains steadfast in his desire to leave the Carolina Panthers, saying Saturday he'll ask to be dealt to another team if the Panthers put their franchise tag on him this week. "If they decide to use the tag on me, the first thing I would be doing is requesting a trade," he said during a 22-minute conference call withreporters, including two from the Observer. Peppers stopped short of threatening to hold out of minicamp practices if the Panthers try to use the tag to keep him for the 2009 season under a one-year tender. "That is too far out for me to even be thinking about right now," said Peppers.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthe ... 38734.html