Opinions wanted on Julius Peppers

[KingintheNorth]

He is from NC, but doesn't he go to Texas in the offseason? Seems I read that. Playing in Charlotte is hard on him. He is not a rah rah leader, and gets ripped for it. I don't have a problem with it at all. However, how would we ever afford him.

I think it's been reported that we have about $10 M in cap room after we sign our draft picks. By my math, if we were to cut or trade Brad Johnson, Greg Ellis, Anthony Henry, and Roy Williams it would free up another $ 9 million to $ 10 million. NOT saying we will (Brad is as good as gone) but none of those 4 have performed to the value of their contract except maybe Ellis. He is getting up there in age and is not exactly a "clubhouse guy".

So that would give us a little over $19 M in cap room. If true, we can sign Ware and another bigname free agent and maybe one or two "cheap" free agents.

Two years ago Dwight Freeney signed a 7-year, $72 M deal with a $15M bonus.
Last year, Justin Tuck signed a 5-year, $ 30 M deal with a $9M bonus.
Jared Allen signed a 6-year, $73 M, $73 M deal with a $15M bonus.

I would expect Ware and Peppers to command somewhere around 7 years, $75 M with a $15M bonus. Usually, base contracts in the first year are not that high so the cap hit of a contract like that is somewhere over $4 M ($2.14 prorated bonus plus a base salary of $2M in the first year). So signing Peppers and re-signing Ware would take somehwere around $9M in cap room.

It's really easy for me to say Jerry should go out and spend $30 M in guaranteed bonus checks but it can be done. We can sign a big time free agent and re-sign Ware.

Will we? I don't know. Can we? Yes.

 

[BigDInCharlotte]

He's overrated. Awesome physical specimen that could be one of the best in the game if he wanted to be. But in big games and certain seasons, he completely disappears. He got the big money and has been wildly inconsistent since..........

Exactly. He's an incredible athlete. But, honestly, he is not a FOOTBALL PLAYER. He tries to rely on his physical ability too much, and if that is countered, he's got nothing.

Watch him play. Guy should be on Dancing with the Stars as much as he dances with offensive tackles. And he is very suspect in the run game.

Heard the comment on the local radio a couple of weeks ago that compared Peppers to Vince Carter in the NBA. Those guys will do something during a game that will make you sit up and say "OMG! Did you just see that?!?!" Then they will do absolutely nothing the rest of the game.

For the money he is going to want (he did just have a good season, if you go by sack numbers only, but of course he did...it's a contract year), we can get at least 2 other players that will benefit us more.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

didn't we ever find out that it was Peppers who wanted to come here?

 

[Rack]

............I am quite certain my fine young boy that I have probably forgotten more than you know.

Ease off the vicodin there, chico. It's making you delusional.

 

[BAT]

Who would not be ecstatic to have Peppers play opposite Ware (and he would only play DE in special packages, otherwise he would play OLB in a Wade 3-4)????


That said, why would the Panthers give him up?

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Signing Peppers would be "everything wrong with the cowboys"...we don't need another superstar on this team. If Peppers would bring some leadership I would be all for it, but Ive heard nothing from Panther fans. He would just be another Zach Thomas and not speak up because "he's the new guy". It would be amazing to see Peppers on one side..Ratliff in the middle and Ware on the other side, but not for his price.

 

[TwentyOne]

Before anyone calls me crazy, just want a few opinions on Julius Peppers. Anyone think he could hold up playing RIGHT end in a 3-4 defense? Before you say NO, remember, im not talking about just any random 3-4, im talking about an attacking ONE GAP scheme like our own. Where he can use his quicks and explosiveness to penetrate. Peppers goes 6-7 285, 300 or so pounds is considered ideal. IMO Peppers just may be the one 4-3 end who could pull this off if put into the right 3-4 system. Wouldnt work in a New England style 3-4. ALSO ,Before I get told "this isnt Madden" , Yeah, I know that o.k, just looking for Opinions on if he could make the conversion or not.

In our system i consider our ends more of run stuffers then pass rushers. Peppers is a natural pass rusher and is very good at it. I just can't imagine he would be willing to step out of the spotlight and start doing the "dirty work". IMO it also would be a waste of talent.

I can't say if it would work if Peppers played that (DE) position. He has the size to put on some more weight he needs to play at end. But as someone else already posted i think he would make a good SOLB in our system.

 

[jobberone]

Peppers is actullay attainable especially if we make the cap motivated cost-cutting moves I anticipate we will. Carolina could franchise him but if they do that they risk losing Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross.

He would only play OLB for us. Bringing him here to play DE (in our 3-4) would be like trading for Steve Smith and making him a tight end. This could all be bs but I know someone who played with Peppers and he has said that Peppers has always talked about playing for Dallas. Who knows. It's not likely but it is possible if he hits the open market.

I would think signing him meant 3 things.
1/Greg Ellis released or traded.
2/DeMarcus Ware re-signed or at least an agreement has been reached. No way we can spend that kind of money on Peppers if Ware hasn't gotten his yet.
3/Trading away Anthony Spencer, possibly to Miami. Shoulld bring back a decent draft pick too.

Ware and Peppers would defintely form one of the most feared pass rushing duo's in NFL history.

I think it's been reported that we have about $10 M in cap room after we sign our draft picks. By my math, if we were to cut or trade Brad Johnson, Greg Ellis, Anthony Henry, and Roy Williams it would free up another $ 9 million to $ 10 million. NOT saying we will (Brad is as good as gone) but none of those 4 have performed to the value of their contract except maybe Ellis. He is getting up there in age and is not exactly a "clubhouse guy".

So that would give us a little over $19 M in cap room. If true, we can sign Ware and another bigname free agent and maybe one or two "cheap" free agents.

Two years ago Dwight Freeney signed a 7-year, $72 M deal with a $15M bonus.
Last year, Justin Tuck signed a 5-year, $ 30 M deal with a $9M bonus.
Jared Allen signed a 6-year, $73 M, $73 M deal with a $15M bonus.

I would expect Ware and Peppers to command somewhere around 7 years, $75 M with a $15M bonus. Usually, base contracts in the first year are not that high so the cap hit of a contract like that is somewhere over $4 M ($2.14 prorated bonus plus a base salary of $2M in the first year). So signing Peppers and re-signing Ware would take somehwere around $9M in cap room.

It's really easy for me to say Jerry should go out and spend $30 M in guaranteed bonus checks but it can be done. We can sign a big time free agent and re-sign Ware.

Will we? I don't know. Can we? Yes.

Good stuff as usual. Peppers could play DE in the 3-4. He's strong and big enough. But he's much better suited to play OLB. He and Ware would be tough to handle. Last year was an injury year. He will command big bucks and he does want to come to Dallas.

I think we would be better off spending money on the lines and at safety but I wouldn't complain a bit to have Peppers here.

 

[ajk23az]

who is Leonard?

Probably talking about Leonard Little?

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Nein, nein!

Let's get someone from this century.

 

[EPL0c0]

...............Actually reports started coming out as early as least year that Peppers in fact does want to play here. He was the guy that Mickey, at least I think it was Mickey, said was " TOO DIE FOR" when talking about potential freeagents that wanted to play in Dallas.

if he's willing to take a pay cut, why not. He's only 28yrs old and in his 7th year.

But I'd still like to see if Dallas can develop Marcus Dixon. I think with a year on the PS and a full off-season that he maybe able to make the step up to the pro-level. He's a guy I really hope makes it.

 

[Doomsday101]

Great player that would take a boat load to sign it is not going to happen. Dallas already has a big contract waiting in the wings with Ware who rightfully will be demanding top dollar as will Pepper. In my opinion the key to winning is not about how many big names you get it is about playing as a team. We have the talent we need to do a better job of coming together as a team

 

[khiladi]

Can we just get a damn good free safety?

 

[Givincer]

Good stuff as usual. Peppers could play DE in the 3-4. He's strong and big enough. But he's much better suited to play OLB. He and Ware would be tough to handle. Last year was an injury year. He will command big bucks and he does want to come to Dallas.

I think we would be better off spending money on the lines and at safety but I wouldn't complain a bit to have Peppers here.

He's a bigger, faster and younger version of Greg Ellis.

I couldn't complain about acquiring Peppers either.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Probably talking about Leonard Little?

He was talking about the Balt Safety Leonhardt

 

[jobberone]

He's a bigger, faster and younger version of Greg Ellis.

I couldn't complain about acquiring Peppers either.

Never thought about comparing him to Ellis but certainly could fill the same role. Both are big enough to play DE in the 3-4 and both can drop into coverage or rush from the OLB position. He would be an impact player on this defense. I'm a very firm believer of creating enough impact to finally break a dam. The addition of one player with enough surrounding impact players can effect that.

 

[irvin4evs]

I really don't think Peppers would be worth it to us. He might be a pretty good 3-4 OLB, or a really good one. Either way, not worth the cash. Poor use of resources.

 

[jobberone]

Not if his addition breaks the damn. My worry is his ability to stop the run. We could use just a very little more pressure. Mainly getting there when we have to and consistency rushing. Stopping the run when we wish and must is one key to making the defense dominant. The others are safety, a 2 technique NT, CB depth, and ILB. We could really use a Patrick Willis. Or a junior version.

 

[irvin4evs]

The guy will be paid like a top 5-8 defender. We can't do it.

Signing him won't break the dam considering that it will badly compromise our ability to sustain talent at every other position (including the other OLB spot--we just can't pay Ware and Peppers).

 

[Givincer]

The guy will be paid like a top 5-8 defender. We can't do it.

Signing him won't break the dam considering that it will badly compromise our ability to sustain talent at every other position (including the other OLB spot--we just can't pay Ware and Peppers).

2010 is uncapped. If Jones wants to do it, he can do it.