Mike Minter Defends Peppers???

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Former Panthers safety Mike Minter was surprised Saturday to hear that Julius Peppers wants to leave the team, but he understood why Peppers says he might want out.

"He's honored his contract," said Minter, who played with Peppers for five seasons before retiring in 2006. "He stayed here after signing that first contract, which it seems like you never see with a player of his caliber. He's had the opportunity to be the highest-paid defensive player in the league, but he didn't restructure his contract. He did what was on the table for him, and you don't see that very often."

Minter played his entire career with the Panthers, but said that's not something every player might want to do.

The bottom line, Minter said, is Peppers must do what he feels is best for Peppers.

"The one thing I know about Pep is that he wants to do whatever he can to get the best out of himself," Minter said. "If he feels he can't do it any more here and he thinks he should leave, that's fine. I know that if (the Panthers) think you can't do it any more, they do what's best for them. So he needs to do what's best for him."

http://www.newsobserver.com/820/story/1371413.html

YOUR THOUGHTS???

[Urrymonster]

A reasonable and sound judgement on the whole affair coming from a former teammate and a player all fans acknowledge as being a true Panther.

If he understand then why do so many fans not?

[mountainpantherfan]

Minter being the person he is what would you expect him to say? And there is some truth in what he is saying. If you read into what he said he basicly said Peppers has the right to be as selfish as he wants to be. And thats true.

[Urrymonster]

I think it actually suggests that is WASN'T selfish because he could of taken more of our money before demanding to be traded. He didn't. He could of signed the contract to make the highest paid defensive player in NFL history and asked for a trade later or even just quit on us. He didn't. He played his contract out to the end and tried to get us a ring in the process.

[mantal]

My only problem is that he insinuates that the Panthers don't think he can reach his potential here and I don't think that's true. Of course, it would explain a lot, wouldn't it?...

[pnthrfrk]

while i'm in no way defending pep, i do understand where he's coming from and i think we all can find some validity to his argument. the staff has their holes and since he's been behind the scenes, he's seen first hand what us outsiders have not. if we were free agents of the same coaching staff that most if not all agree needs a shake up, would we all re up?

[stankowalski]

"The one thing I know about Pep is that he wants to do whatever he can to get the best out of himself," Minter said.

Does this sound like a man that wants to be lazy? Minter is one of the few players whose word I would absolutely put stock in and be inclined to believe, as I said in the other thread. Good for Minter for standing up for one of the best players this organization has had.

[Cyberjag]

Minter sounds very diplomatic there.

[Matt Foley]

Minter, Rucker and Peppers are all tight.

[Fox007]

Oh nos, Buckner says Peppers is the devil, Minter says he is just fine, what to do what to do.

I knew this would happen, everyone was waiting for MORE people to pile on Peppers, sh*t some of us were just waiting on this inevitable response from someone.

Just makes those Buckner slobbers look dumb, hell I know whose side I'm taking if it is between Buckner and Minter..........

[mountainpantherfan]

I think it actually suggests that is WASN'T selfish because he could of taken more of our money before demanding to be traded. He didn't. He could of signed the contract to make the highest paid defensive player in NFL history and asked for a trade later or even just quit on us. He didn't. He played his contract out to the end and tried to get us a ring in the process.

Being selfish can mean more than just money. IMO Peppers is not or ever was a "team" player. As I said, he has the right to be that way and in that I do not fault him. Just don't ask me to like or respect the guy in the prosess.

Just to add something else. I do disagree with the notion that Peppers was lazy and took a lot of plays off. He tried as much as he possibly could to be the best and make plays.

[pnthrfrk]

maybe he could have us all fooled into thinking it wasn't about the money. he knows how much we would have paid for him but what if he thinks some other team will offer more? if we tag him, is free to negotiate with anyone? once he agrees to a contract with who ever, the 2 teams then try to work on compensation? or do we arrange compensation with a team first before he works out a contract?

[Jangler]

He's had the opportunity to be the highest-paid defensive player in the league, but he didn't restructure his contract.

That's because he had already decided he wanted out. Just sounds like Minter is trying make excuses for him.

[Peppers Powa]

That doesn't negate the fact that he screwed the Panthers in the process. He should have kept his mouth shut.