Hurney says nothing less!

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

News and Observer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Don't be surprised if Julius Peppers is back in a Carolina Panthers uniform next season.

That's what the Panthers had in mind Thursday when they signed left tackle Jordan Gross to a mega-contract and put their franchise tag on Peppers.

Gross received a front-loaded, six-year deal worth close to $60 million, including $30.5 million in the first three years, most ever for an offensive lineman.

Tagging Peppers required the Panthers to make him a one-year tender offer of $16.683 million.

The moves will require Carolina to cut other players to get under the NFL salary cap but might lessen the chances that Peppers' desire to be traded will be fulfilled.

In a conference call with reporters, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney gave a strict recitation of NFL rules regarding franchise players and declined to discuss any scenarios outside of those specific boundaries.

Hurney said the Panthers put a non-exclusive franchise tag on Peppers, giving him the option to sign an offer sheet with another team. But it left the Panthers with the right to match such an offer and keep Peppers long-term, or decline to match and receive two first-round picks from that team.

The last time a team gave up two first-round picks for a franchise free agent was in 2000, when Dallas traded picks in 2000 and '01 to Seattle for wide receiver Joey Galloway.

In recent years, teams have negotiated trades for franchise free agents for less compensation, such as last season when Minnesota gave Kansas City a first-rounder and two third-rounders for defensive end Jared Allen.

Asked if the Panthers would consider a trade involving something less than two first-round picks, Hurney didn't budge.

"The franchise tag is the franchise tag," he said.

Hurney said he has maintained a good relationship with Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, and that the team is steadfast in its desire to keep Peppers.

"We've said many times how much we value Julius, and we would like him to play here," Hurney said.

Peppers is likely to receive plenty of interest when the free-agent signing period opens Feb. 27, but finding a team he likes with cap room and a willingness to compensate Carolina could be difficult.

Earlier this week, reports came out that Peppers had a list of four potential new teams -- three from the NFC and one from the AFC. One of the NFC teams is Dallas, and it seems clear the list does not include any of Carolina's NFC South rivals because none of those teams employ the 3-4 defense that so intrigues Peppers.

Peppers, 29, has said he won't sign a long-term extension with the Panthers.

Gross said if Peppers were to return to the Panthers next season, teammates would "welcome him with open arms."

The Panthers signed Gross a few hours before a 4 p.m. deadline for designating their franchise player.

"I don't think it's a terrible situation for [Peppers] to be in," Gross said. "I don't know what Pep thinks about it, but I can't imagine he would be too upset by that deal."

Carolina will need to trim at least $10 million from its payroll to reach the league maximum of $123 million by Feb. 27. They could save approximately $7.35 million by cutting cornerback Ken Lucas, offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges, wide receiver D.J. Hackett and linebacker Landon Johnson.

LINK: http://www.newsobserver.com/820/story/1412375.html

I think he will be a Panther next year. What do you think?

[bigdog_10_2002]

smart posturing by hurney....someone will pony up some picks for peppers. I don't think we'll see two firsts, but a first, 2nd, and a 2010 2nd isn't out of the question

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

smart posturing by hurney....someone will pony up some picks for peppers. I don't think we'll see two firsts, but a first, 2nd, and a 2010 2nd isn't out of the question

I would defintley bite on that trade.

[carpanfan96]

what would be funny is if we match and he ends up locked in a long term deal here for way less then that 90 million 30 something million guaranteed deal we offered last season.

[Matt Foley]

What are all these Panthers fans going to do if Julius comes back and his teammates welcome him back?

[bigdog_10_2002]

I would defintley bite on that trade.

It would set us up to be a very good football team for a long time.

2009 draft: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd.....

2010 draft: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd....

the team, if they draft smart, can build a contender for at least the next 3-5 years. Especially with the offensive line, running backs, and linebacker corp in place.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

it would set us up to be a very good football team for a long time.

2009 draft: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd.....

2010 draft: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd....

The team, if they draft smart, can build a contender for at least the next 3-5 years. Especially with the offensive line, running backs, and linebacker corp in place.

i agree 100%

[bigdog_10_2002]

What are all these Panthers fans going to do if Julius comes back and his teammates welcome him back?

I for one, will boo him every time I hear his name called. I'm a fan of the carolina panthers, not peppers. The moment he said he didn't want to be here any longer is the moment I lost respect for him. Same thing with Jenkins in 07.

I respected the fact that peppers wanted out. Heck, thats the business, and if he thinks he can go somewhere else and do better things...more power to him. But the moment he and his agent started thinking they hold the cards and released the "4 team" garbage is the moment I lost all respect for the both of them.

Peppers will get what he deserves....I'd venture a guess that a good portion of the fan base can't stand him now, and he is in a position where he has no leverage. He and his agent have to convince a team that he is worth 2 first rounders, and then he gets to negotiate a deal that will be well below what the panthers offered him.

The panthers gave this man the keys to the franchise, was going to make him the highest paid defensive player in history, used him in every way possible to get the most out of him, and the way he repays this franchise and the big cat is to take this situation public....disgraceful IMO.

sorry for the rant, but you asked how the fan base will respond if he comes back and the team "SAYS" they are all good. Well, I can only speak for myself when I say I will Never cheer for peppers again.

[Matt Foley]

Oh I respect how you feel. That's what I wanted to know when I asked the question.

Here's food for thought....two first rounders might not seem like two first rounders if it's a team that habitually drafts late in each round.

[bigdog_10_2002]

Oh I respect how you feel. That's what I wanted to know when I asked the question.

Here's food for thought....two first rounders might not seem like two first rounders if it's a team that habitually drafts late in each round.

Yeah, I tried to give you an honest answer. I can't speak for the rest.

The thing about the two first rounders though is that it is still labled a first rounder. That in itself carries it's own weight. But more importantly, it would give us the opportunity to move around on draft day. I think that is what is the most appealing aspect to me. I don't think this team is very far away from contending for a title, and if we only need to add one or two pieces that first rounder accompanied with an additional pick, could put the team in position to move up and get a pass rush specialist or a big DT in the next year or two.

I think the "two first rounder" talk by hurney is more of just a starting point. I think they would happily settle for something a little less, such as a 1st, 2nd, and next year 2nd.

[X-Clown]

What are all these Panthers fans going to do if Julius comes back and his teammates welcome him back?

He's going to have some explaining to do if that happens...and if it's the 2007 Peppers who comes back, then who knows?

[unicar15]

To anyone that buys into ANY of the garbage that the GMs are trying to sell right now then I have some inside information saying the Lions will be playing the Raiders in the super bowl next year..go hit up Vegas..

[doubletrouble3428]

Peppers will get what he deserves....I'd venture a guess that a good portion of the fan base can't stand him now, and he is in a position where he has no leverage. He and his agent have to convince a team that he is worth 2 first rounders, and then he gets to negotiate a deal that will be well below what the panthers offered him.

This is exactly what i was thinking...lets see if julius was telling the truth earlier when he said its not about the money....if he is telling the truth then he should be able to persuade a team into giving us two 1st rounders an give his new team a discount by signing a cheaper contract...after all, if he REALLY wants out of carolina then he's gunna have to do something like that

[Snake]

I dont understand why people are going one way or another on Peppers. This has all been a cat and mouse game from the start. Pep is not gonna be a Panther this year cause he dose not want to be but Other teams have to know that we will keep him if they dont put up atleast a 1st round pick. You always bid high and expect people to talk you down. Thats how it works in every business.