Removing the franchise tag from Julius Peppers is the best option.

[Fiz]

I feel the general opinion amongst fans that the Panthers should hold on to Julius Peppers until receiving adequate compensation is unrealistic, short sighted, and detrimental to the health of the 2009 Carolina Panthers for a number of reasons. Julius Peppers is not worth what the Panthers are currently paying him, and in general is no longer an elite defensive end. The tag placed on him precludes the Panthers from addressing needs at other positions. If allowed to test the market more actively, me might realize he's not worth what he thinks and resign with the Panthers for less than what he initially demanded. The Panthers will likely receive very good compensation if he signs somewhere else. Finally, the Panthers can stand to lose him.

To begin with, many people feel that Julius Peppers is an invaluable asset and a top talent in the league. This is simply false. I'd argue that Julius Peppers isn't even a top five DE in the NFC. I'd prefer Demarcus Ware, Jared Allen, John Abraham, Aaron Kampman, Osi Umenyiora, or Justin Tuck. When you broaden it to the entire NFL, the comparison is even more daunting. Julius doesn't exist in a vacuum. His value will not be determined simply by what a team is willing to give up for him, but by how he performs in regards to the rest of the league.

The most glaring position of need right now for the Carolina Panthers is at defensive tackle. As it stands right now, there are only two players on the roster that I'd trust taking a snap during a game. After Lewis and Kemo there might as well not be anyone else on the depth chart. Cutting Julius would allow the Panthers to sign Dwayne Robertson, who'd immediately add much needed depth. The most intriguing thing about Robertson is that he was drafted 4th overall in 2004, and there's already one DT reclamation project on the line who has served us very well.

Another possibility is that Julius is allowed to go nuts and quickly realizes just what his value is, and just how willing other teams are to let him play a position he's never played before. There's no telling how many people (agent, friends, family) he has in his ear right now influencing him. there's nothing like the cold, hard shock of reality to bring a person back to earth. This has already happened this year in Seattle with Leroy Hill. He turned down a contract extension, was franchised, tested the waters, then signed the deal he originally turned down.

If he does sign somewhere else, I can't imagine him signing a deal close to Haynesworth, probably not even what the Panthers originally offered, but it'll be substantial. Compensatory picks are given when a team loses more free agents than they sign. They are distributed based on a formula which takes into consideration amount the player signed for, how they performed, and whether or not their team made the playoffs. The Panthers already stand to do pretty well on this. I suspect Hangartner, if he remains healthy, will net them at least a third. Omiyale looks to be a starter in Chicago, so much of the same. Peppers would likely earn the Panthers a third rounder.

Finally, there's enough talent at the DE position to absorb the blow. As it stands now, there's a log jam at Defensive End. Tyler Brayton was very effective by the end of 2008. Charles Johnson was even more effective replacing him on passing downs. Everette Brown wasn't drafted to battle Charles for first off the bench to replace Brayton, he's not going to replace Peppers on passing downs, and he's not going to supplant Julius on running downs. The Panthers would be just as effective, imho, with a more active platoon of Defensive Ends, instead of leaving one guy in there who at times in 2008 seemed like he didn't even want to be on the field.

[tarheelpride]

i agree with your points, but i'm still uncomfortable with the idea of letting pep walk for nothing, especially since we don't have a first next year. if we had a first, the compensation wouldn't be that much of a problem in my eyes and i'll say let him go. even with the compensatory pick, it will be a third rounder at best.

[manwithcake]

I feel the general opinion amongst fans that the Panthers should hold on to Julius Peppers until receiving adequate compensation is unrealistic, short sighted, and detrimental to the health of the 2009 Carolina Panthers for a number of reasons.

:iagree:

[Montsta]

I didn't think Demarcus Ware was a DE.

[Fiz]

I didn't think Demarcus Ware was a DE.

OLB in a 3-4, plays similarly to how Julius used to play, would easily bulk up if needed to play 4-3 DE and I don't see why he couldn't excel in it as well.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Even if we don't get a huge amount from a trade, I would have to think we could get more than what a compensatory pick would bring. Also, consider that getting a 2nd rounder in trade would be higher than any 2nd round compensatory pick.

[Fiz]

Even if we don't get a huge amount from a trade, I would have to think we could get more than what a compensatory pick would bring. Also, consider that getting a 2nd rounder in trade would be higher than any 2nd round compensatory pick.

true, but I'm really starting to come around to the idea that position in the draft isn't as important as everyone thinks it is, certainly not as important as it has been in the past.

there's so much talent coming into the NFL that good scouting departments can overcome a lack of high selections. I'm not even that worried about not having a first next year.

Basically having bullets is more important than the calibre

[frash.exe]

may I break my silence for a moment so you guys can consider the fact that they don't give out compensatory picks until the end of round 3?

[Liminy]

Good points, I really have no idea at this point what the best option to take would be, guess that's why I don't make the decisions. I don't care what the FO decides as long as we win games. I would like us to get something for him though and not just letting him walk.

[Fiz]

yeah i need to fix that, im not sure what i was thinking there.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I'm not worried about not having a 1st next year either, especially with the compensatory picks that we should get. Still I'd rather have a mid 2nd than a bottom third. Even if you think the player value for the spots is the same, you can trade down to late 2nd/early 3rd and net an extra 3rd or 4th.

Also, by trading him we ensure that he doesn't go to a division rival.

[frash.exe]

yeah i need to fix that, im not sure what i was thinking there.

you bring a great point up otherwise though.

with our new found DE surplus in talent, Peppers may just be expendable, and his "elite" status in this league is questionable.

[grateflday]

Even if I agreed with letting Pep go with no compensation, not now. Whats the point. If that was the mindset the Panthers could have at least gotten a 2nd or even a 3rd, 4th, 5th in the past draft. So now the draft is gone, and all the top free agents are signed. From what I understand the Panthers have enough $ to sign all their picks, so I dont see much benefit at this point to just let Pep walk.

[Fiz]

Also, by trading him we ensure that he doesn't go to a division rival.

they can't trade him until he signs his tender, and no team is going to offer a second if they don't think he'll sign long term.

yeah, it sucks, but Peppers' camp has bungled this up to the point where it might be best just to cut your losses and move on.