panthers might be forced to let peppers walk.

[carpanfan96]

Link

Gnatt is saying it's likely that one of our high tier Fa is going to hit the market and be able to walk with no compensation.

[unicar15]

If Pep and his agent burn this organization like that I will be extremely pissed off...The fact that they came out and said that they didn't want to play for the Panthers anymore was a DICK move b/c they didn't have to and they know it.

[Vagrant]

Actually, I think this situation just made life a lot easier for the organization. You had two players, both of which needed contracts, that were unable to come to terms. One player comes out and says he wants more money, one player comes out and says he wants to play somewhere else.

You give Gross his money, no matter how Gross that money will be, and you put the tag on Peppers and trade him.

The fact is that Carolina was prepared to lay out the red carpet for Peppers and their projected budget was likely to increase by a large amount. Give a portion of that money to Gross, trade Peppers, and draft a DE in the first round with the pick we get from that.

Bingo bango.

The only way this situation hurts the Gross negotiations would be if Gross doesn't want to play here. Gross will get his money in a timely fashion now that Peppers is off the table.

[carpanfan96]

Yea, but I knew this one was going to get ugly. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to get ugly for the panthers as well. I was at least hoping to trade him for a few picks and sign Gross to a long term deal. that doesn't look as likely now.

[carpanfan96]

Actually, I think this situation just made life a lot easier for the organization. You had two players, both of which needed contracts, that were unable to come to terms. One player comes out and says he wants more money, one player comes out and says he wants to play somewhere else.

You give Gross his money, no matter how Gross that money will be, and you put the tag on Peppers and trade him.

The fact is that Carolina was prepared to lay out the red carpet for Peppers and their projected budget was likely to increase by a large amount. Give a portion of that money to Gross, trade Peppers, and draft a DE in the first round with the pick we get from that.

Bingo bango.

The only way this situation hurts the Gross negotiations would be if Gross doesn't want to play here. Gross will get his money in a timely fashion now that Peppers is off the table.

we don't have the money to do both. Unless Gross wants to play here and he hits the Fa market only to stay, the only other way is with mass cuts and restructures to afford both players.

[Cyberjag]

It all depends on Gross.

[Nicbsbll2]

What I got out of that article is that if they aren't wiling to give Gross the money that he wants, then one of them will be gone without compensation. And since Peppers has said that he wants out, then I really see no reason why they shouldn't give him the money now.

[rayzor]

that isn't the sum of it. he said that could happen or hurney could make a deal.

This is poker at its finest and costliest. Now it's Hurney's turn to bet, and he can either raise, or he can fold and let one of them walk with no compensation at all.

i don't see that happening but it did with witherspoon and moose. right now i am inclined to keep gross and say he is worth the expense. i'd rather have him than peppers at any rate. give me someone who wants to be here.

[Vagrant]

we don't have the money to do both. Unless Gross wants to play here and he hits the Fa market only to stay, the only other way is with mass cuts and restructures to afford both players.

Is there not a grace period under which you can exceed the salary cap for a brief period of time in order to broker a trade? Even if there isn't, aren't there a few guys like Landon Johnson that we can cut to get under?

[PeppersOut]

Link

Gnatt is saying it's likely that one of our high tier Fa is going to hit the market and be able to walk with no compensation.

I keep trying to tell you all that the Panthers WILL NOT get a 1st rd pick for Peppers, however, the ppl on this board are dreaming. Be happy with a low rd 2nd and 3rd or 4th pick. The guy doesn't want to be here in Carolina and he has made it known which will be somewhat challanging for your FO. I think its wrong that he handle his frustration through the media. It put the Panthers at a disadvantage unless they work out a deal and resign the guy.

[PlayMoore!]

I keep trying to tell you all that the Panthers WILL NOT get a 1st rd pick for Peppers, however, the ppl on this board are dreaming. Be happy with a low rd 2nd and 3rd or 4th pick. The guy doesn't want to be here in Carolina and he has made it known which will be somewhat challanging for your FO. I think its wrong that he handle his frustration through the media. It put the Panthers at a disadvantage unless they work out a deal and resign the guy.

go away troll

[PeppersOut]

go away troll

if you don't beleive me then...here ya go!

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The Carolina Panthers are next in our team-by-team series of updates on where each NFC South team stands regarding the salary cap.

Keep in mind, these numbers are very much in flux at the moment as teams sign players to future contracts and incentives reached in 2008 haven't been factored in yet. The cap is expected to be $123 million.

Salary-cap status: $10 million under the salary cap.

Overview: Don't get too excited by that number because it's very deceiving. The Panthers are trying to re-sign offensive tackle Jordan Gross, whose value got a big boost with an All-Pro season, and defensive end Julius Peppers. Re-signing both or re-signing one and using the franchise tag on the other would put the Panthers well over the salary cap, no matter how the deals are structured. Carolina has to clear room somewhere and cornerback Ken Lucas, who's carrying a big cap number and didn't have a good second half of the season, could be a target for release or restructure. Wide receiver D.J. Hackett, a free-agent pickup who didn't work out, also looks likely to be gone. The Panthers also have a lot of veterans whose contracts can be restructured to free up some cap room. But don't look for Carolina to do much in free agency because the Panthers aren't going to have much room to work with

[Vagrant]

That article actually disproved your point more than anything. It points to all the dead salary on our roster that we can shed by cutting Lucas, Johnson, Hackett, and other guys who didn't make the grade and then restructuring guys like Delhomme especially who could free us up a boat load of money alone.

I still don't see where we'll have a problem giving Gross his money and then putting the franchise on Peppers if it comes to that.

[Mr. Scot]

I keep trying to tell you all that the Panthers WILL NOT get a 1st rd pick for Peppers, however, the ppl on this board are dreaming. Be happy with a low rd 2nd and 3rd or 4th pick. The guy doesn't want to be here in Carolina and he has made it known which will be somewhat challanging for your FO. I think its wrong that he handle his frustration through the media. It put the Panthers at a disadvantage unless they work out a deal and resign the guy.

Nope. It's just nobody on the board thinks you're worth listening to.

(and they're right)

Is there not a grace period under which you can exceed the salary cap for a brief period of time in order to broker a trade? Even if there isn't, aren't there a few guys like Landon Johnson that we can cut to get under?

Not exactly a "grace period" but as I recall for part of the offseason only the top 51 guys actually count against the salary cap. Since teams take about 80 or so guys to camp, asking them to be under the cap with that many guys on salary would be untenable.

By the start of the season, everyone (including practice squadders, injured reserve, etc) counts, so there's always a lot of maneuvering right around that time.