DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Peppers wants to play in a 3-4.

Hmm...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5...mp;confirm=true

Peppers rules out a return to Carolina next season, agent says
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After spending his entire life in North Carolina, Julius Peppers wants out.

The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has decided he won't sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Panthers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 26.


Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Julius Peppers has spent his entire career in Carolina, but he is looking to go elsewhere this offseason.
Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers' first-round draft pick in 2002, believes Carolina's defensive system isn't for him -- even after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks this season.

"He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina," Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, said Saturday. "But the decision that he faced was, do I stay in Carolina and perhaps never reach my full potential? Or do I open myself to the possibilities to finish my career elsewhere? He chose the latter."

Carey said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.

"He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense," Carey said. "He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities."

Peppers' decision leaves the Panthers with a big decision to make.

The team could place the franchise tag on Peppers, which would virtually force him to stay with the Panthers. Under that scenario, another team could sign Peppers only by giving Carolina two first-round draft picks in return.

But doing that would mean the Panthers would have to give Peppers a one-year deal worth a whopping $16.7 million. And Peppers also could decide to hold out.

The Panthers used the franchise tag this season on starting left tackle Jordan Gross, who'll also become an unrestricted free agent and command a large contract, leaving Carolina with salary-cap concerns.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, who was informed of Peppers' decision in a meeting with Carey in Houston on Thursday, did not return phone calls Saturday but released a statement through a team spokesman.

"Obviously, Carl's comments are disappointing," Hurney said. "We have consistently reiterated to Carl in a number of ways how much we value Julius, and we plan to continue having ongoing communications."

The Panthers have been trying to sign Peppers to an extension for the past two years. But Peppers, in a statement released by Carey, said he wants to go elsewhere.

Julius Peppers, DE
Carolina Panthers

2008 Statistics:
Tackles: 51
Sacks: 14.5
Passes defensed: 5
"I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field," Peppers said. "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."

Peppers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft, became a starter from Day One. He reached the Pro Bowl three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006 before an awful 2007 season where he recorded only 2.5 sacks.

The Panthers moved Peppers from left defensive end to the right side this season, and his big numbers returned, and he was picked for the Pro Bowl again. However, Peppers was held to two tackles and no sacks in Carolina's shocking 33-13 NFC divisional playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals last weekend.

The defeat was part of a late-season defensive swoon for the Panthers, who allowed 30 or more points in six of their last seven games.

"Julius has tremendous respect for the coaching staff, and he has never been the type of guy that has wanted to change anything that the coaching staff was doing," Carey said. "He has submitted to their defense and has tried his very best to operate within it.

"He feels that despite the accolades and the achievements that he still has something more to offer. He feels that it's going to take a new system in order for that talent that he still has within himself to be tapped."

Carey wouldn't say what teams Peppers, who turns 29 Sunday, would like to join. Carey also declined to address speculation that the Panthers could place the franchise tag on Peppers and then trade him. The Kansas City Chiefs dealt defensive end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings last year in exchange for a first-round pick and two third-round choices.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

Huh. Peppers wants to play in a 3-4. Isn't that what we run?

Wait a minute! I think I see why you posted this article!

If he doesn't get franchised, dude is going to command a HUGE salary, and just because he WANTS to play in a 3-4 doesn't mean he can. Did he even do it in college?

He's a hell of an athlete. Will have just as good of a shot making the transition as any college player coming out.

Outstanding player... anyone think that mangini will want a player that is sounding a lot like "me first"... just wondering.

I'm curious what our real cap room is and how active we can be in the FA market this year?

I don't think we would want him and I don't think he would want to come here. At his age he wants to go to a true contender.

I've heard it's around 15mill as of right now. I don't think we will be very active.

I don't see it as me first. He waited till the season was over, and didn't cause any distractions. He's also giving the team plenty of notice. Seems pretty stand up to me.

The guy is 28.. turns 29 tomorrow....

I think we pass on Peppers... For the money he will want, he won't be worth it.

@ 280 lbs. , i don't think he could play DE, and probably wants to play LB. No thanks... He's been playing DE for 7 seasons... No time to learn a new position now.

No thanks.

Me first.

Wonder what his tone would be like if they had beaten Arizona.

You been in a 4-3 for 7 years, and now all of a sudden you want to be a 3-4 guy.

Sign here for a LOT less money and I'll give you a shot; otherwise stay home and collect your retirement.

While it would be nice to have a guy of his caliber, especially paired with Rogers, but I also thing that it is too late in his career to be learning a new scheme......I think that he easily could play LB, but his salary would be a HUGE issue......someone said earlier that we are looking at around $15 mill for our salary cap this year....that sucks if that is true...anyone by chance know if that is true or where we can find the figure......that will barly be enough to resign the players we need and our draft picks...... ......

Dude wants to play for a contender and unless your wearing Browns and Orange glasses, he isn't coming here.

I know, but it doesn't hurt to wonder...what if.........

here is a more relevant question. lets look at contenders he might go to. What do you think he would look like on either the Steelers or Ravens Ds?

Honestly to me, that is not a fun proposition. I doubt he comes here but we could be facing him 2 times a year.

I believe he could switch easily to OLB. The guys a stud and a veteran.

As for age, I remember a few years ago when Lynch was a FA. Everyone was saying the guy was old and it would be a bad move. He went to the probaowl that very year and I believe the next.

Price would be the only downfall I see.

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I don't see it as me first. He waited till the season was over, and didn't cause any distractions. He's also giving the team plenty of notice. Seems pretty stand up to me.

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I kinda do... i mean he's from NC, loves NC, loves the Panthers but wants to do what's best for himself.... that's a me first attitude... isn't it?

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It's the mans business. Who among us does not want to better ourselves in our chosen profession? I'd hardly call it "me first" as it's a natural attitude that everyone of us shares.

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If you say so Tulsa.... I've got my opinion and I doubt you can sway me....

That's funny chit...I don't care who ya' are...

Interesting...at first glance I thought no way cause he's always been in a 4-3 and the transition to a 3-4 is difficult and to just go get him on the fly in a High End Sweep stakes on an Experiment would be stupid.

But now he's claiming that he's in the wrong system. That it is actually the 3-4 that he wishes to play and that would be the one who best suits him.

In that regard I have seen him in a 2 point stance a lot.

I have seen him drop back in coverage as well.

He is very unique as in size and athleticism...he is a LB in the body of a DE. Coming out of College I definitely would invest our overall #5 on him for the SOLB spot.

Very interesting. On one hand we know it would be a new position for him so that the Investment monetarily would not justify itself. On the other hand he is one special athlete and he probably feels also that his career can thrive and last longer by being off the ball in Space.

I guess it all comes down to how McKracken can work his magic to make it possible. We need a viable Stud we had McG but he was 37 for most this past season - here is somebody who can give us 5+ years of prime play for us at the position. Somebody who could just be better than any other that came before him from that Strong side (Weakside its tough to better LT ).

Also and the key factor - we got the LB coach who transitioned Vrabel and McGinnest into two heck of a 3-4 OLBs. I could be wrong but I even think Vrabel played DE in the 3-4 with the Steelers before going to the Pats and being converted to LB (not completely positive on that, I'm remembering one blurb during a game about 5-6 years ago???) But we got Ryan the Pats LB coach during the conversion of their 4-3 D into a 3-4 which included McGinnest and Vrabel becoming standards for the transition.

So for me...If its just fans saying Hey, lets get him and we can make him fit into the 3-4... I think its the wrong move at the cost. But it is he, Peppers, that is stating that he feels that he best fits into a 3-4 Defense. Then its a total different animal we are looking at and something this Defense Needs...A STUD! I think its worth the RISK just like Rogers...he could make an IMPACT we need IMPACT in the Front 7.

Now if they Franchise Tag him...do we give up our 2nd rounder to get him? Do we simply trade down to the Panthers First round pick. Problem is they don't have one as the Eagles own it (??? can't remember the trade). A lot of IFs...If we can trade down and get 2 first round picks...trade one of them to the Panthers for the rights of Peppers like we did with Corey Williams last season.

MONEY and our #5 pick...is just way too costly. Lots of things to work out to get it done. But he could be the IMPACT PLAYER that could make every body better.
Cause in space I cannot see any RT in the NFL winning the battle.

Interesting...very Interesting. Of course we are talking about competing with Miami and Dallas who have very attractive TAX LAWs - Miami close enough to his Home and a team on the move. Dallas with a penchant to take chances and make moves. How bout that team with Ware and Peppers at each corner...

Arguments can be made for Great Move and BAD Move. It just might cost too much...It just might be the thing this team needs to become a contender.

JMHI can go either way on this one!

You summed it up better than I could have.

But my big thought would be, now we would have a guy that has varied pass rush moves and Run support abilities that he would fit right in. Think Jason Taylor if he wasnt a down lineman. Hes disruptive.

This would also allow Wimbley to move to the other side, where maybe he would be more effective as a pass rusher, and he could use his speed and shoulder dip to get by the RT as opposed to getting consistently stoned by the LT.

Peppers is special, he could be a Joey Porter-like player for us, which sounds wonderful, also he'd be years younger.

Would he be costly as a free agent? yes, but it fills a very very pressing need. Itd provide us one less starter that we need. Our DL with the Smiths, Rogers and Williams will be ok. Keep Rubin around and maybe add an Orpheus Roye type player whose been around but wants another year and thatll be ok.

We just need an ILB (draft?) an, OLB (Peppers) and some corner help. but corner help, we get Holly back, Travis Daniels isnt as bad as Crennel made him seem (he was tolerable in Miami and is still quite young).

Our defense is 2 LBs and a scheme change away from being stout I think. Peppers would go a VERY long way to solidifying it. He provides Run Support and Pass Rushing ability.

Id look VERY VERY hard at him.

Additionally, to look at the Cap figures. If we can consider him to sign at a lower base salary this year, when guys like DA, BE, and KW2's contracts run up, itd free up all that space for Peppers in later years of his contract. They can each be replaced, especially once the rookie pay scale gets installed. We know BE is out after next year, so we could really look to add a guy like Peppers and itll be a wash in cap figures as time passes.

Peppers would definately be better against the LT than Wimbley. Thats a good thought.

I would ONLY do it IF, it by itself, guaranteed a complete fix for the defense without having to waste a pick. THEN you "could" take the OLman we NEED to keep the ball and the clock on our side; defense rested, etc.

The gamble is the position change required so late in this man's career,....and the cash lost.

No thanks.

The one good thing is this off-season it looks like there are going to be some solid pass rushers and defensive players available:

Terrell Suggs/ Bart Scott/Rey Lewis-1 one of them will be available
Peppers
Namdi A- CB from Raiders (probably franchised but they did spend a crap load last off-season and yet again have a top 10 pick)

Honestly I would take Suggs or Peppers. If we draft a top 5 linebacker we are just going to end up paying that guy the same as Suggs or Peppers. Suggs is proven but Peppers is a once in every 10 year athlete. I hope we can get one of them which would help provide us more options when it came to the draft.

The way I look at it:
FA- Eliminate your needs
Draft- BPA

If we are going to spend big bucks on a guy, it better be Peppers. Spending $70 mil on Nambdi or $40 on Suggs would be foolish.

I think Peppers would be a great fit, he's a freak, hes as fast as 245 LB, and as strong as a 300 DE. Get him, draft Curry, suddenly our front seven starts to become great. If you put Peppers, with Rogers, and a healthy Corey Williams, that is a really nice thought.

And to think what a guy like Robert Ryan could do with a talent like Peppers, who can line up literally anywhere on the defense. I'll try not to get my hopes up, cuz most likely this is not the place that hes thinking of coming.

IMO - He'll be worth the money, very much worth it.

Hey DM, is there an NFL cap on selfish and stupid. Cause we had to take a few hits, neh?

Perhaps the best pass rusher in the NFL, but despite what he wants I truly think his best position in DE in a 4-3. He is 6-7/290 and can conceivably play OLB in a 3-4 or DE ina 3-4 (who else can do that? probably no one), but he wouldn't be as good at OLB as guys like Merriman, Ware, and Harrison...and he could be the best 3-4 DE in the NFL, but his responsibilties in that role would totally waste his talent on the edge. He is a great fit in Carolina IMO.

posing a hypothetical here. let's say we have enough cap space to get either terrell suggs or julius peppers, on top of that we can sign most of our ufa's and rfa's so were not losing any core people. we all know the browns have the 5th pick in the draft, I'm thinking it's gonna be curry but it's waaaay too early to guess that, let's just assume it will b a mlb.
so which do you take in free agency? peppers or suggs?

If we are going to fork out big free agency money on the front seven I would rather see us spend that money on Albert Haynesworth. Pair him up with Shaun Rogers and our defense should be MUCH better.

Why spend big money on someone who won't be used primarily as a playmaker? I get the impression that Ryan will run a defense that has the linebackers making the plays.