All the pieces are lining up for a Peppers trade to New England

[X-Clown]

To add a small dose of fire to the tiny whisper of a flame of Fiz's theory. Tully Banta Cain believes he will be back with the Patriots.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/20/banta-cain-thinks-hell-be-back-with-the-patriots/

Banta-Cain was being interviewed by Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan of Sirius NFL Radio when the news broke, and Banta-Cain suggested that the move will be temporary.

"There's some stuff going on in terms of the roster," Banta-Cain said, per Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. "I got to see what's up with that situation."

Asked whether it's understanding that he'll be back with the Patriots, Banta-Cain said, "Yes."

It sounds like the Patriots plan to be adding someone to the roster, and that they didn't want to cut a non-vested veteran, who would have been subject to waivers. Likewise, if they'd waited until after the trade deadline to dump Banta-Cain, he would have been required to pass through waivers, and he might have been claimed by the Chiefs, whose G.M. drafted Banta-Cain in 2003 when working as New England's V.P. of player personnel.

But, still, it's unclear why the Patriots needed to clear a roster spot the day before the trade deadline, and why they'd have an extra spot available for Banta-Cain once the dust settles.

It could be that they're potentially trying to add a player via a trade, and also trying to work a deal that would send another player (like Joey Galloway) to a new team.

[Fiz]

after cutting TBC, the Patriots have further cut Joey Galloway and TE Micheal Matthews

that's three roster spots, and they'll only fill two by bringing in Brandon Tate or T Levoir.

SSSSOOOMMMEEETTTTHHHHIIINNNNNNGGGGSSSS HAPPPPENNNIIIINNNNGGGGG

[Jase]

I wonder how smitty would look in a pats uniform.

[rippadonn]

We're getting Tom Brady right?

[N1kkadeemuz]

I wonder how smitty would look in a pats uniform.

like a super bowl champion

[Fiz]

(actually they're probably just going to resign Banta-Cain without suffering a contract penalty since he's a veteran but screw it it's more fun to pretend)

[Kingpatecu]

the panthers have a glut of young defensive end talent and will be able to mitigate his loss

the drop off from peppers wouldn't be as significant as many people here have convinced themselves it would be.

they won't be able to resign him this offseason and will get a 3rd if they're lucky

the patriots have a trillion draft picks, and his value is never going to be higher.

I like EB91, but Charles Johnson and Hilee Taylor I wouldn't classify as talent and don't see either one stepping up to a starting role. I do think the drop off would be pretty big.

Pep may not be willing to resign to a LT deal next yr but we could always franchise him again and who cares ab the $$$$ bc it looks like there won't be a cap.

But depending on the package of draft picks and/or players I would be willing to at least listen to what the Patriots would offer.

[N1kkadeemuz]

Everette Brown and Charles Johnson in limited playing time have looked better than Peppers.

You see they show up even when we're not playing the NFL's bottom of the barrell.

It's time to say goodbye to 90 and get some damn draft picks back.

[Mr. Scot]

Another reason why I have trouble buying it...

From the Observer: Fox: Peppers playing at highest level of his career

[Jase]

Another reason why I have trouble buying it...

From the Observer: Fox: Peppers playing at highest level of his career

Talking up his trade value. :beatdeadhorse5:

[Delhommey]

4hrs 40 mins from this being a moot point.

[Mr. Scot]

Talking up his trade value. :beatdeadhorse5:

I know that's the way it can be spun. I just don't buy it.

[Jase]

OK, if I understand NFL rules properly, Pep's contract is fully guaranteed and so that $17 mil would have to fit under a potential trade partner's cap.

Look at approx. cap figures here.

Only 2 teams have the cap room for pep, right? Tampa and Green Bay.

This is what makes me think it's impossible.

[Newtcase]

OK, if I understand NFL rules properly, Pep's contract is fully guaranteed and so that $17 mil would have to fit under a potential trade partner's cap.

Look at approx. cap figures here.

Only 2 teams have the cap room for pep, right? Tampa and Green Bay.

This is what makes me think it's impossible.

I believe that all changes if Pepp is willing to renegotiate his contract with the new team for a long term deal. The same thing we've done with him in the past to ease cap problems.