Silence on Peppers' ordeal

[Kevin Greene]

Article from the Herald.

CHARLOTTE -- Both sides made their stands early, and then everyone went mute.

Then, while it looked like nothing was happening for weeks at a time, behind the scenes there was a furious procession of phone calls being kept between the team, the player, the agent and the potential new teams.

We can only assume that some version of that is happening right now regarding Carolina Panthers franchise-tagged defensive end Julius Peppers. Since no one's spoken about his situation in weeks, perhaps the best we can do for context is look back a year ago this month, when Kansas City's franchise-tagged defensive end Jared Allen was moved to Minnesota for a first-round pick and a pair of thirds.

The man in the middle of that transaction said last week that the appearance of a stalemate is likely the best sign that something's being discussed.

“The current silence on the Peppers thing is deafening,” said agent Ken Harris, who represents Allen. “There has to be something going on right now that we don't know about.

“The silence is the biggest clue.”

While there are many similarities between the circumstances, there are a number of key differences. Both are among the premier pass-rushers in the game, but that's nearly where it ends.

Allen's younger, more flamboyant. He's all mayhem and mullet and mud-flaps, with a hotter-burning motor but also the specter of a pair of drunk driving arrests within a year on his resume.

Peppers is older, more naturally gifted, with a personal grace. At once legend and a loner, he's made plays in great explosions but public statements in slow whispers.

http://www.heraldonline.com/247/story/1262327.html

[Panthro]

1st and 2 3rds...

:****:

[unicar15]

Well I guess it is good to hear that "something has to be happening" coming from an agent that dealt with this stuff last year. I just don't want opening day to roll around next year and we have a player on our roster that is taking up something like 12-15% of the cap and he doesn't even want to be here. Just doesn't seem like it would turn out well for us...

[Squirrel]

Deal is done just waiting for draft day and the other team to make some picks for us to finalize it.

[carpanfan96]

Nice read and I was thinking that something was going on since the silence on Carey and Peppers part started.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Of course there is silence. No teams tells of their office ongoings every day.

[Vagrant]

I think the point that is being made is that when one party involved in a dispute in the NFL does not like what they're hearing, they take it to the media and speak through that outlet in order to advance the negotiations. See also: Cutler, Jay.

The fact that we're not hearing anything from Peppers or the Carolina Panthers organization one way or the other in regards to Peppers being a Carolina Panther next season means that both sides are fairly contented at the moment by something. What that something is remains to be seen. Could it be that Peppers has backed off his demands? Maybe, however it's unlikely considering he still hasn't signed the tender. Could it be that Peppers has found a few suitors that would be willing to dance and Carolina hasn't totally shut them down? Perhaps. However, the one thing we do know is that with neither side doing any grandstanding, the chances are good that both sides have appraised the situation and have found a solution that falls under the idea of the best interest for both parties. At least on a surface "we understand you want to be moved and we're working on the team", type level perhaps.

[mantal]

Just remember that the Panthers, by NFL bylaws is not allowed to talk to any team at any time about a trade until Peppers signs his tender. Peppers is the only one that can talk to other teams. It is an undisputed rule and the Panthers would not cross that line and risk the penalty. Trouble is that the other teams, NE in particular will not negotiate with a player/agent. It's kind of a Catch 22 at the moment, that's why nothing is happening, IMO...

[Lone Buc Fan]

Peppers is also 29 and only shows up in contract years much like Haynesworth. Peppers is definatley a awesome pass rushing DE but now people question his heart.

[unicar15]

Deal is done just waiting for draft day and the other team to make some picks for us to finalize it.

Thats what I am hoping but why wait until draft day??

[scpanther22]

Peppers is also 29 and only shows up in contract years much like Haynesworth. Peppers is definatley a awesome pass rushing DE but now people question his heart.

i think peppers stat wise has showed up most of his time here..so i dont think its a contract thing..and fox has said QB hurries are just a important as a sack to him and peppers was in the backfield all the time

[17+89=6]

Thats what I am hoping but why wait until draft day??

To analyze when and where you want to trade him. It's too early now to trade for a pick when we don't even know if the player is likely to be available.

[Murph]

I still think he stays. Just a hunch.

[VA Panther Fan]

I think Pepp gets traded after the draft. That way, the trading team gets a good first round pick this year AND Pepp. The Panthers will get at least a first, but it will be in next years draft, not this one.