Peppers says he will be at training camp

[AKPantherFan]

In his announcement, didn't Peppers mention that he felt as though he had reached his potential with the Panthers? Perhaps that will change now that he sees that his coaches and schemes have changed.

we can ONLY hope

[DaveThePanther2008]

Whatever, it's exactly how things were going to play out from jump street. Us as observant fans were the only ones stressing over the whole thing. Once the tag was placed there was no other real scenario.

Pep wants out of Charlotte, his agent did everything he could to make it happen, but the organization couldn't let him go. Now we get a reboot, the scheme probably won't change a thing. The only thing that could make the whole thing good is if Pep can feel no pressure and that's not gonna happen in a small pond.

I see him signing at the last minute and playing as well as he can, but sadly it'll still be short of his potential, leopards don't change their stripes this late in the game.

Did all he could????? You are joking. This guy DID NOTHING. He is half the reason a deal never got done.

I understand the thought, but I think you're giving Carey way too much credit.

I wouldn't give him any credit.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Pat Y is an idiot he just got hold of this story a couple of days ago while most of Panther Nation already knows about it.

[1789Cardiac Cats9020]

I have a feeling the LB was Beason, and Peppers was probably the same guy that told Beason to take care of Brown. I think Peppers is excited about Brown in addition to the scheme

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I have a feeling the LB was Beason, and Peppers was probably the same guy that told Beason to take care of Brown. I think Peppers is excited about Brown in addition to the scheme

It seems like he has a change of heart and maybe thats all we need to get this team going.

[Mr. Scot]

Interesting notes from Gant's Day 11 blog (link)

There are two ways to view this one. One is, he'll make $16.683 million by showing up on Aug. 2 or Sept. 2, so why beat your brains out in Spartanburg? This is where the team's banking on his good faith. Now that they've twisted his arm and made him say uncle, they're counting on him doing the right thing, and showing up and learning a new system and working hard.

However, the other strategy would be to sign this week. The full amount of the franchise tender is guaranteed the moment he puts pen to paper.

So if you're intending to show up anyway, why not sign as soon as possible? God forbid you get clipped by a cab or a bus rolls over your foot. If that happens before you sign, they could pull the tender and be out nothing, cash-wise. Sign, and you're covered.

Peppers has said time and again this isn't about the money. But once it's understood that they're not going to cave, and your options are either show up and take the cash or retire, why not put that money in the bank as soon as possible.

So don't be surprised if the paperwork gets signed sooner rather than later, and then all that's left is waiting for him to walk in the door.

First thing I note is the "now that they've made him say uncle" line, which seems essentially correct. Carey pretty much fumbled the "get me out of town" strategy, likely because he thought Peppers had more leverage than he really did (illustrating the benefit of having a real agent). The staring contest has now essentially been won, and you could argue that Carey was never really even in it.

Second thing I pick up on: I doubt this is the way it was intended, but it reads almost like Gantt giving Peppers' advice. Again though, given the lack of a real agent, he might need it.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

IF a new contract (an extended one) isn't done before the middle of July, the tender itself will surely be signed by then...

While Carey isn't really all that great of an "agent," he knows just like Gantt does what is on the line if Peppers doesn't get inked to something...

The heat will be on (both literally and figuratively) Peppers to be a Panther in some form by then, if for nothing else because we will be begin pressing pretty strong for rookie contract stuff around then...

Again, it isn't really about the money... Pep was kind of let down at the interest in him on the market, and would basically rather play at home where he is comfortable (under a new system (see ya Trgo!)) than somewhere else for a little bit more money but not a lot of respect...

Basically, the read I'm getting is that he'll be here, pissed off with the rest of the league, having more freedom in the new scheme, and foaming at the mouth to show his true value...

Opposing offenses, beware...

[2plankingpanther]

If he has a change of heart,great,sign him to an extended contract and relieve some cap room!

[Mr. Scot]

Gantt fleshes it out more here: Peppers still the big issue

So even though the Panthers are finished with practice until training camp, they still have the most important six weeks of the offseason in front of them.

They've already thrown the hammerlock on Peppers, made him say uncle. They've essentially broken him, and the hollow threats coming from his camp all spring. Despite the huffing and puffing, they did not trade him, because they never intended to.

The only option Peppers has left is the nuclear one. Refusing to show up is the last leverage Peppers has if he truly wants to leave, and to hear everyone tell it, he's not inclined to do so.

So while the Panthers have won the war, they now have to battle to get Peppers back in the boat.

Simply forcing him back to Charlotte isn't enough — there's no love in that arranged marriage. They have to engage him once he's back, to try to do something to make him want to stay, or at least make him productive until we go through this dance again next year.

Everything that's been said so far is geared toward that goal. Teammates have spoken glowingly about how successful Peppers would be in the team's new style. In fact, you could argue that the whole new defensive scheme was drawn to maximize his unique talents.

That's Fox's department. The contract stuff and diplomacy falls to general manager Marty Hurney, who has likewise done his part to smooth the way back.

Every agent hoping to bluff or enflame the Panthers general manager has left disappointed.

Though he's a proud Irishman with the requisite temper and ability to hold a generations-long grudge, Hurney has never let words affect work.

He has never risen to the bait, never responded when others attacked his plans or his judgment. He's stubborn, but artful, never raising the stakes by antagonizing the other side. Whenever agents and players —going back much farther than Peppers and pal Carl Carey — have chosen to get down in the gutter and roll around, Hurney has kept his hands clean.

That way, when it's time to reach out and welcome the player back in, he doesn't even have to wash.

It's going to be an interesting dynamic when Peppers returns, assuming he's going to. Left tackle Jordan Gross, whose own contract negotiations were playing out at the same time (a two-front war that nearly came to a bloody draw), said he can't imagine his erstwhile teammate not showing.

While some fans may seem spurned, players are all adopting the “it's just business,” mantra, knowing how much they need Peppers on hand.

“Personally I'll give him a high five and a hug and then I'll start worrying about one-on-ones in practice,” Gross said. “He'll be fresh and ready to go. Everybody will be happy to see him. It's no big deal to us.”

Pretty good article.