...the more things stay the same

[Udogg]

Ok..that decided it for me. Was trying to decide who to replace my#90 Peppers Jersey with. #52 it is.

[Jangler]

I put my arm down to push myself up and it kind of collapsed. I popped it back into place and got back in the huddle. I think we were winning, 24-23, and two plays later I made an interception that led to a field goal and we won the game.

This is why he is the leader of the team now!

[Nu Guns]

Ok..that decided it for me. Was trying to decide who to replace my#90 Peppers Jersey with. #52 it is.

Beason is the best thing to come to the Panthers since Steve Smith.

I dont know if you have ever heard him on WFNZ on the Pacman show? Unlike Smith, he is truely humble and a class act. Jon Beason is very capable of being the next Ray Lewis (skill wise) I hope Beason stays here for his whole career

[PanthersFanInGA]

I have to agree with Dawg about the coaching changes. I was a firm believer all last season that the defensive meltdowns came from the coaches. We still have a very talented defense. If Peppers stays and can somehow play with some fire and motivation, the D line should be ok. Charles Johnson is coming off a good year and when you add in Brayton to the rotation, the DE's position will be fine. DT's are still a concern but honestly if we can just bring in 1 good DT and solidify a good rotation, the interior will be set as well. As far as the CB's go, I am not worried at all. I still think Lucas can play and think he was the main victim of bad coaching and a rookie safety. Godfrey will have a year under his belt and will play better. Gamble and Marshall are still young and have plenty of upside. Secondary will be fine. LB's are solid. Beason is one of the best defensive players to ever wear a Panthers uniform (I know this is a big statement but when you add up heart, drive, athletic ability, and will to win, he truly is one of the best.) Davis is a athletic freak as well. Diggs will be a solid starter.

My point is this. With Meeks and the rest of the new defensive coaches, we SHOULD see major improvement. If not, it will be obvious that Fox is to blame and he wont return.

I don't see Peppers being fired up or motivated at all this next coming season if he is going to be playing with us again. How can you possibly be motivated about playing for a team that you don't want to play for?

[Chubbs McGee]

I seriously think that a segment of Panthers fans may have just talked Pep's value down just enough that other teams are a bit reticent to bring the Brinks trucks as well.

I don't think this is the case at all. The fact that a segment of our fans have decided that they don't like Peppers anymore will have no impact on a new team's evaluation of him. Every team has coaches, scouts, and other player management personnel who have tons of tape to look at on Peppers.

Those teams are looking for objective views from professionals; not emotionally charged judgments from fans who don't have nearly the same football intelligence or experience.

[dpanthersman]

even though it seems that there aint any teams interested in pep right now, im still realy hopeful that hell get traded by draft time, big trades like this always seem to take a while and dont get done till the final minute. but with or without pep i dont see there bein to many changes on defense as far as personal goes so im just stayin hopeful that meeks can make the right changes to our scheme to make the defense better

[top dawg]

I don't think this is the case at all. The fact that a segment of our fans have decided that they don't like Peppers anymore will have no impact on a new team's evaluation of him. Every team has coaches, scouts, and other player management personnel who have tons of tape to look at on Peppers.

Those teams are looking for objective views from professionals; not emotionally charged judgments from fans who don't have nearly the same football intelligence or experience.

You may be right. To clarify, I don't think that opposing FOs are making their final decisions based on the fans' sentiment---their own and the opposition's---but I do think that that's taken into account when they are makeing their decisions. Owners, GMs and coaches are all human. They are also well aware that it is ultimately the fans who pay their bills, so I just don't think that they throw what fans think into the wind. I also pretty much know that they, as well as the writers and sports pundits, do take a gander directly or indirectly at these forums to get a feel for what people are thinking. All of the rants and ravings of the fans---whether they are knowledgeable or not---gets into the heads of the FO to one degree or another. Like it or not, they want to keep the fans happy. But, again, on some level you are correct that they make their decisions based on what they think.

[Fireball77]

Honestly, I can see a FO considering fan reaction when it would come to a guy like Vick whose criminal case was very high profile, but someone like Pep? Naaaahhhh.