Does Peppers owe his teamates an explanation?

[Happy Panther]

:confused:

[bleys]

what is there to explain? I thought this process was fairly understood...

[Happy Panther]

"Julius is firm in his decision that he needs a change," Carey said. "He feels that he can thrive in another system. While he has been selected to four Pro Bowls and designated as an All-Pro during his career, he feels that he has yet to develop to his full potential. This is the case of a great player who seeks to become an elite one

I could see some players taking exception to this...and assuming that he really doesn't want to be there except that he is making around 30x what some of the younger guys are. If I were Peppers I would have a team meeting so that his fellow players don't abandon him when he has a bad game or two.

[rayzor]

i think they would just want to get past it. i think they have all pretty much heard the reasons why and understand most everything. i doubt that they are going to be holding the grudge that many of us are.

if he's back next year. i'm happy. if not....oh well. we still have a team with tons of talent and lots of potential. it might just take us a season longer to get the ring. life goes on.

the team will go on. the fans should follow suit. i would say the media should as well but i know they won't. they love them some drama and will beat that dead horse till the skin falls off the bones.

[Fireball77]

If he gives 100% and does everything he can to be great and has a good year, that is all I would want out of him were I a teammate of his. If he effs around, half-azzes it etc, then yeah I would be pissed. Actions speak louder than words.

[rayzor]

If he gives 100% and does everything he can to be great and has a good year, that is all I would want out of him were I a teammate of his. If he effs around, half-azzes it etc, then yeah I would be pissed. Actions speak louder than words.

true. i'm not sure the team will put up with it either. you better believe that word would spread around as well if he did pull that. it's just not in his best interests to show up and not show up.

[Jangler]

I think he owes them an apology, more than an explanation. They understand the reasons why. But, he tried his power play and it didn't work. So it's time to sign the tender and put this behind him and get into camp with the team.

[rippadonn]

His teammates know about this process and won't hold any of this against him, unless he doesn't show up for camp. It could then be said that he is not being a team player and does not share the same interests as the team.

There is a new defense being installed and sooner or later he's going to have to stop this nonsense and sign the tender and collect his money and join the team. Life could be worse Julius you could be poor and a lot less talented.

I can no longer sympathize for anyone who is making millions more than the rest of us. His concerns become more and more trivial as we see whats going on in the world. :nopity: Sign the tender!

[d-run]

yeah, the players probably don't even want to talk about it. He did what he thought was right for him in a business sense during the offseason, it happens. If it continues into the season, thats when he will have some explanin to do.

[Woodie]

His teammates understand the business side of football, and nothing Peppers has said or done has been in any way negative toward them. So I don't think they are really all that concerned with what has been said. Their only concern is whether or not he'll be here this season, and if he is, that he gives 100% effort.

Not to mention that a handful of his teammates have kept in touch with him throughout the off-season, so it's not as if they are all in the dark about what is going on. Heck, I'd be willing to bet that they already know ten times what we (or the media) do about what he is thinking or planning...which is why I take Beason, and others, at their word when they say he will be here for training camp.

[Woodie]

If he gives 100% and does everything he can to be great and has a good year, that is all I would want out of him were I a teammate of his. If he effs around, half-azzes it etc, then yeah I would be pissed. Actions speak louder than words.

I've thought about this as well. And I just can't see any way he will half ass it this season...whether it's intentional or just a by-product of not being happy here. First of all, it would obviously cost him millions since nobody would give a 30 year old DE that has been relatively bad two out of the last three years (with one due to pouting) the kind of contract that is reserved for the upper eschelon DE's...which is how he want's to be thought of.

Also, and I think this is even a bigger issue, I don't believe he would want to let his teammates down. Many of these guys are his friends, and guys he respects and wants to be respected by, in return. So I don't see any way he throws that away just because he is not happy with the team.

[Fireball77]

I agree Woodie, logically your points make sense. But with Pep I feel less sure of predicting any behavior because he is a different type dude. I don't think he would consciously want to piss off/let down his teammates, I think it would be more a case of being bummed out enough that it may affect him mentally.