My last post on this was almost a year ago! Can you believe that? I can't.
So what's life been like since last February? Well, pretty eventful. I won't get into all the specifics today in this update, but on this frosty Monday morning, the first day of February 2010, I have a football related issue to discuss.
Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers.
Yep, it's him again. Last offseason the issue was whether the Panthers would place the franchise tag on him and then trade him. He expressed his desire to leave the team, then came back in 2009 after being paid 16.9 million dollars and had a very good season. He looked completely dominant at times. A hand injury limited his effectiveness in the latter part of the season, but he settled nicely into Ron Meeks' scheme.
After the Pro Bowl, his agent Carl Carey said that the Panthers have made no move to resign Peppers since the end of the season and he doesn't expect to hear from them, meaning if no offer is made by March 5th, he is an unrestricted free agent and can simply walk.
I can't see it.
I mean, he's the best defender the franchise has ever had. He's just been named to the All-Decade team for the 2000's! And you're going to let him walk away just because you don't want to pay him 20 million dollars in an uncapped year?! Hurney and Fox need to realise that Peppers is valuable and he should be tagged again. That way, we can get something for him in a trade if he truly does want to leave.
It appears Carl Carey is forcing the hand of the Panthers like agents should do. Just because the Panthers haven't contacted Peppers doesn't mean they won't, so all you fans keep the faith. If he goes out like this, I will be very disappointed in the front office. I respect Pep tremendously for what he has done for the franchise.
And that's all for today. I should be updating this more regularly from now on. It's more likely to be short snippets every day.
Have a good one!
Best case scenario, you franchise him and trade him to some team for a 2nd round pick. He's 30, only the raiders would give a first for him.
ReplyDeleteWorst case, you pay him 20 mill this year, your cap is raped again(if there is a cap..) and he still walks next year.
Similar situation to Wilfork, he doesn't want the tag and wants out of NE. I see them just walking from their teams