Julius Peppers asks to seek employment elsewhere *Merge*

[ajk23az]

Panthers could franchise Peppers

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ESPN.com news services

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."

Senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3839736&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

 

[Hostile]

Chris Canty, good luck.

 

[Avery]

I like Peppers, but he's wildly inconsistent to me. We don't have the scratch to sign him anyway with Ware a payday away from buying Wyoming.

 

[JBS]

Chris Canty, good luck.

what are you implying mister?

 

[newlander]

I've said the same of him Avery: he takes GAMES off. Heck, a couple seasons ago he was MIA for the whole friggin' season. Billion dollar body: ten cent head. No thanks.

 

[Hostile]

what are you implying mister?

He wants to come here per Mosely and Spags.

 

[Biggems]

17 million for 1 year? Carolina could franchise the heck out of me and I would find 17 million ways to be happy for the next 365.25 days.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

He wants to come here per Mosely and Spags.

Well, I guess we may find out how badly. It won't be like we have to choose between him and Brandon Jacobs.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

He may want to come, but the money may take him to somewhere else.

 

[JBS]

He wants to come here per Mosely and Spags.

you think we can afford him?

 

[mmohican29]

Just say no to Julius Peppers. Come on! When are we going to learn that the best players from each individual team when assembled do not mean that you now have the best football team??

No. Julius Peppers can ride Pepper the Pony and fresh ground peppercorn his way to a pepper field with Peppermint Patty.... Miss- Salt and Peppers, Red Hots, mushrooms green Julius Peppers and hold the mayo. Oh, and Julius Pepperoni.

 

[jobberone]

I like Peppers, but he's wildly inconsistent to me. We don't have the scratch to sign him anyway with Ware a payday away from buying Wyoming.

I wouldn't put him in the wildly category. Last year wasn't great for him but his stats are pretty consistent. I don't watch him enough to say what he does game to game though. But seasonally he's consistent excepting last year.

you think we can afford him?

Don't know. Signing bonuses are a good thing though. Initially anyway.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

He wants to come here per Mosely and Spags.

When did Peppers say he wanted to come here?

 

[Daudr]

He wants to come here per Mosely and Spags.

Unless he takes a huge pay cut there is no way we can afford him.

 

[jobberone]

When did Peppers say he wanted to come here?

Peppers has been a Cowboy fan for a long time per reports. He'll come here if we can afford him and Carolina doesn't franchise him.

He may be too expensive for them to keep. I don't know their cap status and need to keep other players.

But he would be deadly here in Dallas.

 

[Hoovie]

and what position would he play here? This isn't Madden, you can't just plug and play.

Would you stand him up at OLB and try another Ellis experiment

Or leave him at DE, until you realize 3-4 DEs aren't there to go all out at the QB, and 4 weeks into the season everyone moans about our huge bust FA signing...

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I couldn't see Julius Peppers at DE in the a 3-4 defense or a OLB.

 

[mmohican29]

and what position would he play here? This isn't Madden, you can't just plug and play.

Would you stand him up at OLB and try another Ellis experiment

Or leave him at DE, until you realize 3-4 DEs aren't there to go all out at the QB, and 4 weeks into the season everyone moans about our huge bust FA signing...

Amen Hoovie. Why don't we just sign every player that wanted to be a Cowboy as a kid and then have them take a dump like Roy E has thus far.

Yeah sorry but ummm.... , I'm gonna have to hope that someone that relishes the opportunity to be playing the highest level football for the highest stakes possible can win a job on my football team.

Much rather that than have a team full of "fans", running around all proud in their Cowboy whites congratulating themselves on their big paydays and how nice the new stadium is and how pretty the girls are in Dallas etc....cmon... geesh.

 

[jobberone]

Peppers plays up or down in Carolina. He wouldn't have any problem at all as an OLB IMO. In fact I think he would excel here. I don't think we can afford him and Ware and all the rest though.

 

[Hoovie]

Peppers plays up or down in Carolina. He wouldn't have any problem at all as an OLB IMO. In fact I think he would excel here. I don't think we can afford him and Ware and all the rest though.

I admit I don't watch much Carolina football, but I'd be willing to bet he plays "up" in nickle situations... still at DE. How often and with how much success does he fall back into coverage. My bet is, not too much.

And, even if we can afford him and he can play OLB in a 3-4 (provided we keep a 3-4), then what do we do with spencer and ellis?