Peppers still wants his walking papers (1 Viewer)

[Tau837]

Peppers still wants his walking papers

Panthers DE: It's 'time for a change'

CHARLOTTE -- 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.

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," Peppers said. "Right now, I am waiting on the franchise tag, or not waiting on the franchise tag. From there, we'll see what happens next."

Peppers said the Panthers haven't told him whether they'll franchise him.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney declined comment.

The Panthers face a dilemma because they have two Pro Bowl players, Peppers and left tackle Jordan Gross, eligible to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 27 and can protect only one of them with a franchise tag.

Team officials have been attempting to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Gross, who has said he would like to remain with the team.

Time is running out, however.

The Panthers have until Thursday to announce how they'll use their franchise tag. Their best-case scenario appears to be signing Gross so they're free to franchise Peppers and trade him, probably for draft picks.

If the Panthers can't complete a deal with Gross by Thursday, they would be at risk of losing one or both players without receiving anything in return.

When asked what he would do if he were the Panthers, Peppers said he would focus first on Gross.

"You've got one player saying he does [want to stay] and one player who says he wants to move on and try something different," Peppers said. "If I was in that situation, I would try to accommodate the guy who wants to be there -- [as the] No. 1 priority."

Saturday's conference call marked the first time Peppers has talked extensively with reporters since his agent, Carl Carey, announced last month that Peppers wanted to play elsewhere.

Peppers shed little new light on the reasons for his decision, but stressed that it was not intended as a slight to Carolina coach John Fox or the Panthers' organization.

"Basically, it's a situation I feel it's a point in my career I just want to do different things," Peppers said. "It has nothing to do with anything that happened between me and any coaches [or] me and the owners of this team. It had nothing to do with anything anybody did.

"I just feel like personally for me and my career, it's time for a change. That's pretty much it."

Peppers reiterated his interest in switching to a 3-4 defense, in which he could rush the passer as a stand-up outside linebacker. In the Panthers' 4-3 scheme, he has played defensive end, starting most plays down in a three-point stance.

"I'm the only one who truly knows the ability I have," Peppers said. "I feel it could be maximized, and I feel like I could be even more productive than I've been in the past."

Peppers said his plans were not affected by four recent defections from the Panthers' coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and defensive line coach Sal Sunseri.

Peppers wouldn't speculate on what would have happened if the Panthers had switched to a 3-4 defense, calling the notion "fantasy football" because Fox is so committed to the 4-3.

"I could never really see him changing," said Peppers.

Peppers, 29, is the Panthers' career leader with 70 1/2 sacks and 19 games with multiple sacks. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and, along with wide receiver Steve Smith, is the team's biggest star.

Peppers expressed gratitude for fan support during his seven seasons with the Panthers and urged fans grappling with his decision to consider how they would feel in a similar situation.

"If you were being held back at your job and you fulfilled your contract and all the obligations you had, and played or worked seven years on a contract and it was time for that contact to expire, and you wanted to do something different and you were told, 'I know you did all of that and you've fulfilled what you're supposed to do, but you've still got to stay,' I don't think people would be willing to live under those same standards they want to place on me," Peppers said. "I just don't.

"So what I say is [to] put yourself in my shoes and look at my situation instead of being emotional about it."

 

[Loopdog]

i agree with what he said about the contract fulfillment and wanting to do something else. I really do. I think fans a lot of the time cannot put themselves in the players shoes but its a job. And if you think about it, many of us leave jobs or go to new ones because we are tired of working somewhere, and that's basically what he is saying here. He just wants to work somewhere different.

 

[Koya]

While it won't ever happen, man it would be sweet to have him on the Giants with another guy able to go at DE or LB is that is something he wants to do. Could do so much with he and Kiwanuka in terms of disguising a defense and we do need help at LB which in an odd way he might help provide.

But, I am both dreaming and terribly greedy.

Sounds like he just wants something different, and seems to be trying to go about it the right way.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Carolina brought this on themselves. They didn't get Peppers signed long term and even though he had an off year a couple seasons ago they should have recognized how hard it is to find soemone of Peppers talent.

If they slap the franchise tage on him there is going to be a war when there doesn't have to be. But Fox was on the hot seat last year, might still be on the hot seat and the thought of trading Peppers back last season while they could is a distant memory now.

They cannot watch Gross walk out the door, they must keep building that OL because Fox loves to run the football. Peppers cannot replaced but they could switch the defense up some...it was not all that stout down the stretch last year. DWill and his heroics are why they got as far as they did imho.

 

[twitch]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

 

[Boston]

The tough part for a 3-4 team is Peppers is going to want a ton of money to play a new position. Regardless of how physically gifted he is there's going to be a huge learning curve which means there's a lot of room for error.

 

[Adebisi]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

I could see him landing with Miami, sure. I'd love to see him come to the Pats, but I don't think that's going to happen. With Vrabel and Thomas locked in as the starting OLBs and contracts coming up for Wilfork and Seymour (both of whom are more important to the team than Peppers would be), I just don't see it happening.

 

[twitch]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

I could see him landing with Miami, sure. I'd love to see him come to the Pats, but I don't think that's going to happen. With Vrabel and Thomas locked in as the starting OLBs and contracts coming up for Wilfork and Seymour (both of whom are more important to the team than Peppers would be), I just don't see it happening.

Depending on what happens with the CBA entering the '10 season, which I think will be nothing basically and it will be an uncapped season, New England, like many other teams, will be able to structure contracts this season that are heavily loaded onto the '10 'cap' (if you want to call it that). So, we're gonna get some of these deals done with somewhat of a planto protect this year's cap. Now, its yet to be seen what kindof money Peppers is really looking for. He's made somewhere in the $50million dollar area in the way of NFL contracts to this point. Lot of dough. Im optimistic that with many of these guys it's often not about the money. Easy for me to say. But I dont know if he's greedy to the tune of 6-7mil/season or 10 or more. I think he's gonna take slightly less, personally. Now, the question is does he have a team in mind? Or is it more about location? As for some of the OLBs New England specifically has, I could see Peppers coming in and fitting into a role that utilizes both Vrabel and Thomas. The man wants to show his versatility. Well, I can think of alot of different ways to use him. And Vrabs and Thomas have both shown they can play either inside or out. So, there would be options and flexibility there. Having said all that, I still think he's going to Miami. Parcells knows as well as anyone the importance of a great pass rush and LBs that bring the heat.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

I could see him landing with Miami, sure. I'd love to see him come to the Pats, but I don't think that's going to happen. With Vrabel and Thomas locked in as the starting OLBs and contracts coming up for Wilfork and Seymour (both of whom are more important to the team than Peppers would be), I just don't see it happening.

Depending on what happens with the CBA entering the '10 season, which I think will be nothing basically and it will be an uncapped season, New England, like many other teams, will be able to structure contracts this season that are heavily loaded onto the '10 'cap' (if you want to call it that). So, we're gonna get some of these deals done with somewhat of a planto protect this year's cap. Now, its yet to be seen what kindof money Peppers is really looking for. He's made somewhere in the $50million dollar area in the way of NFL contracts to this point. Lot of dough. Im optimistic that with many of these guys it's often not about the money. Easy for me to say. But I dont know if he's greedy to the tune of 6-7mil/season or 10 or more. I think he's gonna take slightly less, personally. Now, the question is does he have a team in mind? Or is it more about location? As for some of the OLBs New England specifically has, I could see Peppers coming in and fitting into a role that utilizes both Vrabel and Thomas. The man wants to show his versatility. Well, I can think of alot of different ways to use him. And Vrabs and Thomas have both shown they can play either inside or out. So, there would be options and flexibility there. Having said all that, I still think he's going to Miami. Parcells knows as well as anyone the importance of a great pass rush and LBs that bring the heat.

Peppers will get a 7 year $100 million type deal from someone, not often a prime DE in the peak of his career becomes available...is he greedy? No, but he knows he could be one of the highest FA signings ever...remember that DB in San Fran got like $60 million as a FA and he has had what type of impact? Assant got about $60 million last year...average top 5 DE pay is in the $15 million range...Peppers is going to break the bank with someone.

 

[Balco]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

I could see him landing with Miami, sure. I'd love to see him come to the Pats, but I don't think that's going to happen. With Vrabel and Thomas locked in as the starting OLBs and contracts coming up for Wilfork and Seymour (both of whom are more important to the team than Peppers would be), I just don't see it happening.

Depending on what happens with the CBA entering the '10 season, which I think will be nothing basically and it will be an uncapped season, New England, like many other teams, will be able to structure contracts this season that are heavily loaded onto the '10 'cap' (if you want to call it that). So, we're gonna get some of these deals done with somewhat of a planto protect this year's cap. Now, its yet to be seen what kindof money Peppers is really looking for. He's made somewhere in the $50million dollar area in the way of NFL contracts to this point. Lot of dough. Im optimistic that with many of these guys it's often not about the money. Easy for me to say. But I dont know if he's greedy to the tune of 6-7mil/season or 10 or more. I think he's gonna take slightly less, personally. Now, the question is does he have a team in mind? Or is it more about location? As for some of the OLBs New England specifically has, I could see Peppers coming in and fitting into a role that utilizes both Vrabel and Thomas. The man wants to show his versatility. Well, I can think of alot of different ways to use him. And Vrabs and Thomas have both shown they can play either inside or out. So, there would be options and flexibility there. Having said all that, I still think he's going to Miami. Parcells knows as well as anyone the importance of a great pass rush and LBs that bring the heat.

Peppers will get a 7 year $100 million type deal from someone, not often a prime DE in the peak of his career becomes available...is he greedy? No, but he knows he could be one of the highest FA signings ever...remember that DB in San Fran got like $60 million as a FA and he has had what type of impact? Assant got about $60 million last year...average top 5 DE pay is in the $15 million range...Peppers is going to break the bank with someone.

Great player, but he is 29. I don't see him getting a very long term deal. It will likely have a large signing bonus, but then a ton of dummy money at the end of the contract. I think he would be better off with the stance of wanting to stay at D End. A team is making a large leap of faith with Peppers as an OLB.

 

[twitch]

Which 3-4 team is he heading to? My guess is either Miami or Dallas, with New England as a possible sleeper. I really think it's gonna be the 'Phins. Anyone else have a gut feeling on this?

I could see him landing with Miami, sure. I'd love to see him come to the Pats, but I don't think that's going to happen. With Vrabel and Thomas locked in as the starting OLBs and contracts coming up for Wilfork and Seymour (both of whom are more important to the team than Peppers would be), I just don't see it happening.

Depending on what happens with the CBA entering the '10 season, which I think will be nothing basically and it will be an uncapped season, New England, like many other teams, will be able to structure contracts this season that are heavily loaded onto the '10 'cap' (if you want to call it that). So, we're gonna get some of these deals done with somewhat of a planto protect this year's cap. Now, its yet to be seen what kindof money Peppers is really looking for. He's made somewhere in the $50million dollar area in the way of NFL contracts to this point. Lot of dough. Im optimistic that with many of these guys it's often not about the money. Easy for me to say. But I dont know if he's greedy to the tune of 6-7mil/season or 10 or more. I think he's gonna take slightly less, personally. Now, the question is does he have a team in mind? Or is it more about location? As for some of the OLBs New England specifically has, I could see Peppers coming in and fitting into a role that utilizes both Vrabel and Thomas. The man wants to show his versatility. Well, I can think of alot of different ways to use him. And Vrabs and Thomas have both shown they can play either inside or out. So, there would be options and flexibility there. Having said all that, I still think he's going to Miami. Parcells knows as well as anyone the importance of a great pass rush and LBs that bring the heat.

Peppers will get a 7 year $100 million type deal from someone, not often a prime DE in the peak of his career becomes available...is he greedy? No, but he knows he could be one of the highest FA signings ever...remember that DB in San Fran got like $60 million as a FA and he has had what type of impact? Assant got about $60 million last year...average top 5 DE pay is in the $15 million range...Peppers is going to break the bank with someone.

That would be something. I dont really see it because if he goes to a 3-4 team like he's somewhat insistent on doing, his options are going to be limited. Jets, NE, Miami, Pitt, Dallas, possibly Detroit, Cleveland and who knows maybe Denver. Who's throwing $100mil at the man? If its challenges he's looking for, Id challenge him to take that $100million deal with the Lions. But that would be an impressive contract. But this is a guy without hardware like Samuel. And the Clements deal with San Fran was just hideous judgement. In this economy, I'll be interested to see if some team ponies that kindof caish for one man.

 

[patrickmcgroin]

Carolina brought this on themselves. They didn't get Peppers signed long term and even though he had an off year a couple seasons ago they should have recognized how hard it is to find soemone of Peppers talent. If they slap the franchise tage on him there is going to be a war when there doesn't have to be. But Fox was on the hot seat last year, might still be on the hot seat and the thought of trading Peppers back last season while they could is a distant memory now. They cannot watch Gross walk out the door, they must keep building that OL because Fox loves to run the football. Peppers cannot replaced but they could switch the defense up some...it was not all that stout down the stretch last year. DWill and his heroics are why they got as far as they did imho.

He had a big money long term offer before this season even started, so that's not it.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

Seeing as how the YORKS have already screwed over the franchise, they mightas well try to sign him for their 3-4 def. They do have some capspaceso spend away I say.If they don'tget himin FA they need to address that issue early in the 1st round. Maybe someone like Brian Orakpo at pick #10 who fits the 3-4 scheme. If not Orakpo they need to go after Mark Sanchez.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Carolina brought this on themselves. They didn't get Peppers signed long term and even though he had an off year a couple seasons ago they should have recognized how hard it is to find soemone of Peppers talent. If they slap the franchise tage on him there is going to be a war when there doesn't have to be. But Fox was on the hot seat last year, might still be on the hot seat and the thought of trading Peppers back last season while they could is a distant memory now. They cannot watch Gross walk out the door, they must keep building that OL because Fox loves to run the football. Peppers cannot replaced but they could switch the defense up some...it was not all that stout down the stretch last year. DWill and his heroics are why they got as far as they did imho.

He had a big money long term offer before this season even started, so that's not it.

Excellent point Patrick which means they should have seen that as an obvious "blank you and I am out of here"...meaning they should have traded this guy and gotten at least a 1st and something else last summer but they didn't. So who is to blame? Maybe no one but I maintain the panthers made this situation happen. They tried a long term deal and he balked so you gotta get soemthing for him.

 

[BoulderBob]

Hey Julius, just make sure your new squad's doctors have those Wheaties with the steroids added, because without them, you're not that great.

 

[pantherclub]

Carolina brought this on themselves. They didn't get Peppers signed long term and even though he had an off year a couple seasons ago they should have recognized how hard it is to find soemone of Peppers talent.

If they slap the franchise tage on him there is going to be a war when there doesn't have to be. But Fox was on the hot seat last year, might still be on the hot seat and the thought of trading Peppers back last season while they could is a distant memory now.

They cannot watch Gross walk out the door, they must keep building that OL because Fox loves to run the football. Peppers cannot replaced but they could switch the defense up some...it was not all that stout down the stretch last year. DWill and his heroics are why they got as far as they did imho.

No offense but you really have no idea what you are talking about. They tried to sign him all last season to a long term deal and then midway through this season they put a deal together to make him the highest paid DE in history. So what else could they have done.The rumor going around in certain circles is that he is gay and there is some sort of issues he is having with that. The local beat writers alluded to this on the local radio talk show. They said this was not a sole football decision on why he wants out. There are other factors involved. He doesnt really hang out with any teammates so who knows.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Carolina brought this on themselves. They didn't get Peppers signed long term and even though he had an off year a couple seasons ago they should have recognized how hard it is to find soemone of Peppers talent.

If they slap the franchise tage on him there is going to be a war when there doesn't have to be. But Fox was on the hot seat last year, might still be on the hot seat and the thought of trading Peppers back last season while they could is a distant memory now.

They cannot watch Gross walk out the door, they must keep building that OL because Fox loves to run the football. Peppers cannot replaced but they could switch the defense up some...it was not all that stout down the stretch last year. DWill and his heroics are why they got as far as they did imho.

No offense but you really have no idea what you are talking about. They tried to sign him all last season to a long term deal and then midway through this season they put a deal together to make him the highest paid DE in history. So what else could they have done.The rumor going around in certain circles is that he is gay and there is some sort of issues he is having with that. The local beat writers alluded to this on the local radio talk show. They said this was not a sole football decision on why he wants out. There are other factors involved. He doesnt really hang out with any teammates so who knows.

I've heard that before and would guess that it is true. A bigger city where he isn't as recognized as he is here would be best, I think.

 

[twitch]

I knew I had him goin' to Miami for a reason. Seriously, those kindof rumors just suck. And whether true or not, the minute hear it you may as well just leave town and get a fresh start somewhere else. It would stand to reason why he wants out without really offering anything super specific.