Peppers contract Situation Discussion Thread (Dpanthers started it (^-^))

[Kakarot]

and will they be able to average 10 sacks a year? i don't care if some of them came against garbage opponents...it's still a number that's hard to reach.

i think with the right system and team surrounding him(which is there) Pep could approach/break sack records.

Most Sacks, Career, 200, Bruce Smith 1985-2003

19 seasons @ 10.52 avg per season for Bruce. Pep has that avg with 2007 bringing the number down.

Most Sacks, Season, 22.5, Michael Strahan, New York Giants, 2001

Some will argue this, but Pep has the physicality to do it. Just needs to play consistently, and get 1.5 a game. The season may increase to 18 games as well

Most Sacks, Game, 7.0, Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 11, 1990

Unlikely, but we play Seattle, St. Louis and Cleveland next season.

Most Seasons, 10 or More Sacks, 13, Bruce Smith, 1986-90, 1992-98, 2000

Pep has 6 seasons above 10 currently

Others to mention that could be attained since Pep says he is in his prime.

-Most Consecutive Seasons, 10 or More Sacks, 9, Reggie White, 1985-93

-Most Consecutive Games, Sack, 10, Simon Fletcher, 1992-93; DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys, 2007-2008

this is why I hope we dont just let Peppers walk. Great post.

[MadHatter]

The issue with Peppers is:

1. Inconsistent Play

2. Ridiculous cost

Pep is a very good player. However, the fact that he disappears for games at a time make it difficult to make him the highest paid defensive player in the game.

[KatsAzz]

Julius Peppers agent Carey doesn't seem like a very good agent and this is probably a problem that has hurt getting anything done in the past

I'd like to get some compensation for Peppers but it's not going to happen!

Think about it. We can't trade him. We have to decide whether or not to tag him. If we tag him, we can't negotiate with other teams until he signs the tender. He will NOT sign the tender and let the team negotiate him. He'll remain unsigned and let his agent negotiate him (which Carey is obviously unable to do). And when nobody makes him an offer, he'll sign the tender at the last moment!

Repeat of last year! It's the exact same scenario, except it's an uncapped year. But that doesn't mean, teams are going to be willing to pay $20 million dollars AND give up picks for Peppers! I doubt anyone would be willing to pay $20 million ,or be willing to give up the picks. But certainly noone is going to do both!

[CatMan72]

Here's another take on it from PFT... makes even more sense given Richardson's position as one of the leaders of the current labor talks and their current strategy with Fox:

The ability of guys like Julius Peppers to cash in come March could be affected by forces other than the final eight plan.With the union constantly banging the drum regarding a possible lockout in 2011, teams could choose not to hand out huge money in 2010.

Think about it for a second. Who has been talking about a lockout, the NFL or the NFLPA? The owners have expressed nothing publicly other than a desire to do a fair deal; the union has repeatedly proclaimed that a lockout is coming.

As a result, a league source tells us that some teams are beginning to prepare for the possibility of the inevitability of a lockout, in part by making free agency plans with the understanding that there might not be football in 2011.

Said the source, "The owners' thinking is that if players are being told to save their money for a lockout, then owners should save their money, too. This is already evident in coaches' contracts with some teams, where salary increases have been less than in previous years and where 'lockout' clauses provide owners with savings and an option to terminate the contracts. There have also been rumblings that a new round of layoffs is coming at the team and league levels. Next, owners will try to save money on player salaries."

The source predicts that a claim of owner collusion is "almost certain." The teams believe that such charges can be avoided based on evidence of reduced spending in all other areas of the business and the agreed-to removal of the salary floor in 2010.

Basically, then, the owners' lockout fund will bolstered not only by $4 billion in television money that will be paid regardless of whether there's football in 2011 but also by any money that can be pocketed given the evaporation of the spending minimums.

[MadHatter]

Julius Peppers agent Carey doesn't seem like a very good agent and this is probably a problem that has hurt getting anything done in the past

I'd like to get some compensation for Peppers but it's not going to happen!

Think about it. We can't trade him. We have to decide whether or not to tag him. If we tag him, we can't negotiate with other teams until he signs the tender. He will NOT sign the tender and let the team negotiate him. He'll remain unsigned and let his agent negotiate him (which Carey is obviously unable to do). And when nobody makes him an offer, he'll sign the tender at the last moment!

Repeat of last year! It's the exact same scenario, except it's an uncapped year. But that doesn't mean, teams are going to be willing to pay $20 million dollars AND give up picks for Peppers! I doubt anyone would be willing to pay $20 million ,or be willing to give up the picks. But certainly noone is going to do both!

If we put the tag on him, neither Pep nor his agent can negotiate with another team....even if he has not signed the tender.

[Mr. Scot]

To be honest with you, I think that despite the increased cost, this is a better year to franchise Peppers than last year. That is, as long as you franchise him with an eye toward trading him.

Why, you ask?

Because one of the teams he wants to play for traded and got an extra first round pick from the Raiders last season. That pick would be higher than the one they earned themselves. Thus, they could trade away their top pick but still stay in the first at a higher position.

[CatMan72]

To be honest with you, I think that despite the increase cost, this is a better year to franchise Peppers than last year. That is, as long as you franchise him with an eye toward trading him.

Why, you ask?

Because one of the teams he wants to play for traded wnd got an extra first round pick from the Raiders last year. That pick would be higher than their own. Thus, they could trade away their own first rounder but still stay in the first at a higher pick.

Good point, so in-effect they traded Seymour for Peppers... not a bad trade. They're also looking to replace Adailus Thomas, seems like a perfect situation for both teams.

This time, let's hope Peppers and his agent understand that he needs to sign the tender early if he really wants to be traded. He's got nothing to lose by signing the tender. If the Panthers tried to pull a 180 on him and trade him to the Chiefs, he could simply refuse to do a long term deal with the Chiefs and he would sabotage the trade and go back to making 20 mill for one season with the prospect of being a FA the next.

[Rhys]

Personally I'd like to keep Peppers, I like the guy, he's home-grown, he doesn't seem full of himself, he was voted a team captain last year, etc. Plus I'd like to see what he can do under this new scheme for a whole season without playing with a broken hand.

I'm not sure what the upside is to trading him for picks that could/could not pan out when we're not really in a rebuilding year, we're in a 'give the Fox and his crew one last shot' year.

I think most people are just salivating over a first rounder and they justify their hate for Pep because he wants a monster contract. None of us will be paying him so what's the big deal? I honestly don't really feel like it hurt our depth too bad last year. Considering how injury riddled we were it didn't seem like our backups were very bad, in fact, it seemed the opposite.

[LaChance87]

I would love for Peppers and the panthers to reach a long term deal and see him retire a panther, the guy will eventually be in the HOF...In my opinion. It appears that he's gone and if thats the facts then oh well. I'm tired of hearing about it, and there is nothing we can do about it. He's 30 and has some years left, but the fact is that, regardless of if he's on the Panthers this year or not, sooner or later we are going to have to be without him. One man doesnt make a team and we will be just fine if he's gone.

[pantherclaw]

I believe, I'll hold off on any over reacting, knee jerking, until we hear from the team on what their position is. There is no immediate need for the team to say anything, and the probowl is always a time where agents and players talk. I'll hold off.

That being said, I can't imagine the Panthers just letting him walk.

I've read all the reports from our reporters, to watching the Pro-bowl. And it's just people talking, cause there is nothing else to talk about.

[Snake]

Julius Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, doesn't think his client will be back with the Panthers next season.

Carey said the Panthers have "not made a single inquiry this offseason" about Peppers, an impending unrestricted free agent. "Julius wants to thank the Carolina fans and know their support has meant a lot to him over the years," Carey said. Peppers will fetch a hefty price tag on the open market in an uncapped year, with the Eagles, Falcons and Patriots among possible landing spots.

IDK if this has been posted yet but this is Carey's statement. IMO I think the ORG just got tired of Peppers taking Games off and the price tag he wants. This move really dose point to Fox not having a Job next year also.

I would also like to wish the team that tries to sign him the best of luck. Cause his Agent is one of the worst.

[Sloth]

To be honest with you, I think that despite the increase cost, this is a better year to franchise Peppers than last year. That is, as long as you franchise him with an eye toward trading him.

Why, you ask?

Because one of the teams he wants to play for traded wnd got an extra first round pick from the Raiders last year. That pick would be higher than their own. Thus, they could trade away their own first rounder but still stay in the first at a higher pick.

Good point.

Also, there's less of a risk popping the franchise tag this time around because if we get no trade offers (provided JR doesn't mind paying him) it doesn't kill us in an uncapped year (i.e. last season).

With as cautious as JR has been about the possible work stoppage, maybe he's willing to pay Peppers for the one year franchise deal then working out a contract once the new CBA is in place.

[monstercat]

I believe, I'll hold off on any over reacting, knee jerking, until we hear from the team on what their position is. There is no immediate need for the team to say anything, and the probowl is always a time where agents and players talk. I'll hold off.

That being said, I can't imagine the Panthers just letting him walk.

I've read all the reports from our reporters, to watching the Pro-bowl. And it's just people talking, cause there is nothing else to talk about.

That's my take as well. I'm not gonna lose any sleep over this.

[Nu Guns]

Personally I'd like to keep Peppers, I like the guy, he's home-grown, he doesn't seem full of himself, he was voted a team captain last year, etc. Plus I'd like to see what he can do under this new scheme for a whole season without playing with a broken hand.

I'm not sure what the upside is to trading him for picks that could/could not pan out when we're not really in a rebuilding year, we're in a 'give the Fox and his crew one last shot' year.

I think most people are just salivating over a first rounder and they justify their hate for Pep because he wants a monster contract. None of us will be paying him so what's the big deal? I honestly don't really feel like it hurt our depth too bad last year. Considering how injury riddled we were it didn't seem like our backups were very bad, in fact, it seemed the opposite.

Its not just a monster contract-what evidence do we have that Peppers wants to stay here??