Defensive end Julius Peppers let the Carolina Panthers know he is looking for a change of scenery.
"The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month," Peppers said in a statement released by his agent Carl Carey. "At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field.
"I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I've spent with the team."
The Panthers have the option to franchise Peppers, which would mean paying him nearly $17 million next season.
"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."
so let the discussion begin about how we NEED this guy and we NEED to pay him $90 million and get nothing else.
GRANT PAULSEN: Redskins should add a dash of Peppers
Date published: 2/8/2009
THE Washington Redskins haven't had a havoc-wreaking defensive end since the days of Dexter Manley and Charles Mann.
The last time a Redskins defensive end posted more than 11 sacks was in 1991. Mann did it that year--on a team that won the Super Bowl, which probably isn't a coincidence. The NFL's top pass-rushing teams have won the Lombardi Trophy the past two years.
Manley compiled 18 sacks in 1986. There have been years since when Washington barely totaled that many as a team. This past year, Andre Carter and Jason Taylor, the Redskins' two starting ends, didn't combine to register a third of Manley's 1986 total.
That's not good enough.
But Washington's days without a top-tier pass rusher could be numbered. The Redskins, who haven't drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since Kenard Lang in 1997, may get a chance to bid on the services of Julius Peppers.
Word out of Carolina is that it's "unlikely" that the Panthers will be able to sign Peppers to a long-term contract. The All-Pro defender is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month.
The 29-year-old seven-year veteran set career highs in sacks (14) and forced fumbles (five) in 2008--far more than any Redskin had.
A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, Peppers is one of the NFL's most gifted athletes. Acquiring the University of North Carolina product to start at left defensive end, opposite Carter, could serve as a solution to a problem the Redskins have been trying to answer for more than a decade.
Carter is a hard worker and a true professional, but his two years in Washington are proof that he shouldn't be relied upon to be the Redskins' top end. He's a quality second option, which is what he'd become if Peppers were signed.
Jason Taylor didn't produce the hoped-for results in 2008. But you can't stop dating because you have a bad relationship, and the Redskins shouldn't hesitate to go after another highly touted end because of Taylor's struggles.
I'm still a believer in Chris Wilson, a low-profile end who hasn't been given many chances to make an impact in his two seasons in Washington. But even if Wilson does develop into a solid player, he doesn't promise to be the type of player that Peppers has become. Few players do.
Getting in on the Peppers sweepstakes should be a no-brainer for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who is no stranger to throwing money at high-profile free agents. Washington can only hope Peppers and the Panthers part ways. If and when that happens, Snyder's courtship of the game-changing talent should begin instantly.
As long as signing him does not cost anything, I'm all for it.
Maybe if we continue down the path we have been on recently (for another 10-15 years) some of these guys (media idiots) might finally get the idea that Snyder and the Redskins have not signed any ridiculous contracts with older players recently. Please do not give me any BS about Taylor last year - that was a deal we were forced into and nobody could have forseen what happened based on Taylor's health and the fact that he was a MVP on defense only 2 years previously.
This FO has to stay the course and in a few years we will be fine - we are too may players behind being a decent team and we need another 2 drafts plus only signing young, inexpensive free agents who blossom into superstars under our coaches guidance just like they do on other teams. Cerrato hand his guys all need to show what they have intimated they are capable of.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
ok so if a 3-4 team offers him a 5 year 15 mill contract....
and a 4-3 team offers him a 6 year 30 mil...
we will see how much he he wants a 3-4
he wants who pays him the most
2-2|0-4|1-2|0-0
home: 3-2
road: 0-6
Since 2000 the Redskins have scored 40 pts 2 times!!!!
12/30/01 @ NO 40-10 W
10/23/05 vs SF 52-17 W
Two 40pt games in a decade?? serious?? cant make up that sad fact!!
ok so if a 3-4 team offers him a 5 year 15 mill contract....
and a 4-3 team offers him a 6 year 30 mil...
we will see how much he he wants a 3-4
he wants who pays him the most
He would laugh at all those offers IMO. He's a 2 time All Pro and just had a career year in sacks and forced fumbles. He's going to be looking a 4-7 year contract worth over 50 or 60 mil with at least 30 gurunteed(sp?). I think the best fit will be Green Bay, Broncos, or Miami.
All his playing experience has been in a 4-3. Just like the argument made here regarding the improper system use of Jason Taylor in DC, Peppers is better suited to play the 4-3. Just because he said he'd "like" to play in a 3-4, doesn't mean he will or teams will consider the system change with him. He did play well this season and played well at the Pro Bowl, so his value did seem to rise, even though he only had two and a half sacks in 2007.
If a stock of current players were released, including Taylor, and cap space was freed up, grabbing Peppers and a DT in the draft should be an instant upgrade to our d-line. It's worth consideration, IMO. Like Paulsen said, just because you've had a bad relationship doesn't mean you should stop dating altogether.
ok so if a 3-4 team offers him a 5 year 15 mill contract....
and a 4-3 team offers him a 6 year 30 mil...
we will see how much he he wants a 3-4
he wants who pays him the most
He would laugh at all those offers IMO. He's a 2 time All Pro and just had a career year in sacks and forced fumbles. He's going to be looking a 4-7 year contract worth over 50 or 60 mil with at least 30 gurunteed(sp?). I think the best fit will be Green Bay, Broncos, or Miami.
the offers were just showing you that what ever team offers more money no matter what system they run he will go to them....
sry i was not clear
2-2|0-4|1-2|0-0
home: 3-2
road: 0-6
Since 2000 the Redskins have scored 40 pts 2 times!!!!
12/30/01 @ NO 40-10 W
10/23/05 vs SF 52-17 W
Two 40pt games in a decade?? serious?? cant make up that sad fact!!
Patriots appear primed to make a deal with Panthers for Peppers
The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason.
The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs on Feb. 28.
But, I do think an athlete like Peppers would thrive in a 3-4 defense. As the outside backer weakside or strong side. If you study a bit of Pittsburgs defense they are always blitzing at least two linebackers. So in reality it is more like a five man front. They just interchange the blitzing backers between the four of the linebackers on the field. Either way they usually blitz two linebackers and all three lineman. So in my humble opinion any great defensive end would thrive if used as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
But, lets get real folks. I believe Peppers has been franchise tagged. If so that costs us two first round draft picks(I believe). Huge price to pay. Also we do not play a 3-4 defense.
All though I do think that any defensive lineman would consider coming to Washington for two reasons.
1. To play along side Albert Haynesworth
2. He may get a big payday.
Still I do not believe there is any chance whatsoever Peppers is coming here.
