A little bit of Pepper

[Revman]

If you wake up tomorrow and find that the Patriots had completed a deal that sent round one #23 overall and a round 3# 89 to Carolina for Julius Peppers would you be disappointed? I just keep going back to Belicheck's comments about 3 weeks ago-he never said a deal was not going to happen. He only said that a deal could take time. I am sure the Patriots are keeping this option open as draft day draws closer. Thoughts?

 

[carolinatony]

I have no inside info on this but most fans here want Peppers gone for whatever they can get. Its simple; Peppers doesn't want to play here for a reason only he knows.

 

[supafly]

If you wake up tomorrow and find that the Patriots had completed a deal that sent round one #23 overall and a round 3# 89 to Carolina for Julius Peppers would you be disappointed? I just keep going back to Belicheck's comments about 3 weeks ago-he never said a deal was not going to happen. He only said that a deal could take time. I am sure the Patriots are keeping this option open as draft day draws closer. Thoughts?

I would wonder--like everyone else with a brain on this forum, where the hell we got the cap space to sign him. Of course we have the ammo with our multiple picks, we all have known that. What we don't have, is the cap space

 

[carolinatony]

He wants too much $$ so I would pass on him.

 

[supafly]

He wants too much $$ so I would pass on him.

What a lot of people have assumed is that John Fox has been so strapped, can't do anything in free agency etc--that may not be the case.

Why would you get rid of the biggest piece of your Super Bowl puzzle, just to go after some mid-range free agent. They were a #2 seed, and were picked by many in the postseason, to go to the Super Bowl. The running game is funky, the defense is mainly there, they have Mushin Muhammed and Steve Smith on the outside, a franchise QB who has already taken them there, etc.

They may be fine with Peppers' cap hit, it was almost 14 mill lst yr. We'll all have to wait and see, but he hasn't even signed the tender, and when he does--the team that takes him must have 17 mill available before a restructure or new pact takes place.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Believe me, I think he would be a great fit for this team and Belichick would use him in ways that would wreck havoc on offenses. Honestly though, the writing is on the wall.

Seymour,Wilfork and Mankins are free agents next season. I've already conceded we will lose 1 of the 3. Unless Peppers is open to some type of discount which I'm pretty sure imo that he is not.{I don't blame him} I'm not willing to part with 2 of 3, or possibly all 3.

 

[Adam Seward]

I would be happy but what are the long term financial binds are we getting into with him? That would be my thoughts immediately after the initial daaamn.

 

[supafly]

Believe me, I think he would be a great fit for this team and Belichick would use him in ways that would wreck havoc on offenses. Honestly though, the writing is on the wall.

Seymour,Wilfork and Mankins are free agents next season. I've already conceded we will lose 1 of the 3. Unless Peppers is open to some type of discount which I'm pretty sure imo that he is not.{I don't blame him} I'm not willing to part with 2 of 3, or possibly all 3.

Seymour, Wilfork, Mankins, Neal, Gostkowski, Hobbs, Green, etc etc etc

I'd much rather keep the core of this team together. And even though most are pointing to a CBA cap free yr, you can't assume or bank on it

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

James Harrison of the Steelers has already set how much a high level OLB will go for and thats about 8.7 mil per year. Peppers has no experience in being a 3-4 OLB. His value dropped when he said he wanted to play OLB. Now being unproven as an OLB i could see him coming here for 6 a year! And if we send Jarvis Green with a draft pick or two that would clear up enough space to have pepper fit under the cap.

 

[Revman]

I just wanted to see if anyone would be disappointed. Obviously we would have to give something to get something. I really believe that Seymour will be playing his last season in New England-age, $, injuries. I would like Wilfork signed long term, Mankins resigned. I believe Carolina will be forced to try to send him elsewhere soon. It is up to Peppers to agree to a sign and trade contract-I am sure the Patriots would be smart. Most of these large contracts are really short term deals under the surface. Peppers makes defense better right away. A round one pick will take a bit of time-especially at OLB role.

 

[Boston Boxer]

I would be disappointed. I kind of like the position we are in with all our draft pick to get young players in here. I dont like Peppers. I liked him with the Panthers, i just dont like him as an OLB with us.

 

[supafly]

James Harrison of the Steelers has already set how much a high level OLB will go for and thats about 8.7 mil per year. Peppers has no experience in being a 3-4 OLB. His value dropped when he said he wanted to play OLB. Now being unproven as an OLB i could see him coming here for 6 a year! And if we send Jarvis Green with a draft pick or two that would clear up enough space to have pepper fit under the cap.

Actually, Harrison didn't set anything. Seattle's LB is making more, Suggs is making more, and so is Dansby.

And by getting rid of Jarvis we only save 2.5 (for the 100th time)

No way someone who is due 17 million signs for 6 million, you are tripping bro

 

[supafly]

I would be disappointed. I kind of like the position we are in with all our draft pick to get young players in here. I dont like Peppers. I liked him with the Panthers, i just dont like him as an OLB with us.

Agreed, don't wanna mess with the chemistry of our team, who's worked hard, and deserve to be paid way before someone from another team. Plus, he'd cost way too much, and is unproven at OLB

 

[DW Toys]

James Harrison of the Steelers has already set how much a high level OLB will go for and thats about 8.7 mil per year. Peppers has no experience in being a 3-4 OLB. His value dropped when he said he wanted to play OLB. Now being unproven as an OLB i could see him coming here for 6 a year! And if we send Jarvis Green with a draft pick or two that would clear up enough space to have pepper fit under the cap.

Saids the same thing Cousin and got torched. I think that is an out. We save some if Green goes I do believe.
DW toys

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

Actually, Harrison didn't set anything. Seattle's LB is making more, Suggs is making more, and so is Dansby.

And by getting rid of Jarvis we only save 2.5 (for the 100th time)

No way someone who is due 17 million signs for 6 million, you are tripping bro

That 17 mil is set for a DEFENSIVE END NOT FOR AN OUTSIDE LINEBACKER!! AS AN OLB, PEPPERS VALUE DROPS BECAUSE HE IS NOT PROVEN AS A LINEBACKER THEREFORE THE FRANCHISE TAG IS NULL AND VOID!! THE PATRIOTS DONT HAVE TO PAY HIM 17 mil!! Dansby has the franchise tag put on him. He is valued AND PROVEN as a Linebacker unlike Peppers!!

 

[mgteich]

Stop shouting!

Peppers has a tender that calls for him to be paid $17M. He can sign it at any time. Alternatively, Carolina can cut him and he can go anywhere. If Carolina cuts him, then you can talk about how he should sign with patriots for $6M otr vet minimum or whatever. Unless he is an idiot, Peppers will be getting a bonus check for at least $17M before he plays for anyone. Might he play for $6M a year. I doubt it very much, but that is not an issue at the moment. My GUESS is that Peppers is deciding whether to sign the tender the day before or the day after the draft.

That 17 mil is set for a DEFENSIVE END NOT FOR AN OUTSIDE LINEBACKER!! AS AN OLB, PEPPERS VALUE DROPS BECAUSE HE IS NOT PROVEN AS A LINEBACKER THEREFORE THE FRANCHISE TAG IS NULL AND VOID!! THE PATRIOTS DONT HAVE TO PAY HIM 17 mil!! Dansby has the franchise tag put on him. He is valued AND PROVEN as a Linebacker unlike Peppers!!

 

[klinefan]

Harrison's salary as an OLB shows that Peppers would have to be an idiot (or not at all concerned about money) to play OLB anywhere. He gets 17M guaranteed for one year. Why would he give that up for a "reasonable" salary of 6-8M?

Also he kind of reminds me of Micheal Johnson who also was a great basketball player and TE coming out of high school. W?hy not just draft him? With better coaching I think he'd hold up better at the POA.

 

[mosslost]

The problem with all of this is that the Pats only have just under $4 Million in cap space according to Miguel. How can they pay him? I just don't like it.

 

[supafly]

That 17 mil is set for a DEFENSIVE END NOT FOR AN OUTSIDE LINEBACKER!! AS AN OLB, PEPPERS VALUE DROPS BECAUSE HE IS NOT PROVEN AS A LINEBACKER THEREFORE THE FRANCHISE TAG IS NULL AND VOID!! THE PATRIOTS DONT HAVE TO PAY HIM 17 mil!! Dansby has the franchise tag put on him. He is valued AND PROVEN as a Linebacker unlike Peppers!!

First of all there are several LB's making approx. 9-10 mill / per yr--I am sure IF he takes a major pay cut, it's not going to be any less than that. And I'm sure he would want a "hybrid" style deal like Suggs at worst. Secondly, the Pats do have to have the salary cap space available the day he signs the tender if he's coming here--they can then restructure him and the cap hit. Your point is null and void because yes, we would have to have 17 mill in space first.

I'm sure he realizes that if he's making the transition, he's going to take a pay cut. I am sure him/his agent are not going to take anything less than maybe half, at worst--which still puts him at 8.5-9 million. Anyone thinking they're getting someone who made 14 mill last yr, and can make 17 mill this yr if he stays, for 6 million is hoping for a miracle. He was the 2nd overall pick, and an established player just like the ones your listing, even if it is at a different position. Would you pass up that kind of money that was on the table, just because you wanted to play a different position? I guess maybe, if you were at least getting something fair in between. Bottom line, we don't and will not have the cap room.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

First of all there are several LB's making approx. 9-10 mill / per yr--I am sure IF he takes a major pay cut, it's not going to be any less than that. And I'm sure he would want a "hybrid" style deal like Suggs at worst. Secondly, the Pats do have to have the salary cap space available the day he signs the tender if he's coming here--they can then restructure him and the cap hit. Your point is null and void because yes, we would have to have 17 mill in space first.

I'm sure he realizes that if he's making the transition, he's going to take a pay cut. I am sure him/his agent are not going to take anything less than maybe half, at worst--which still puts him at 8.5-9 million. Anyone thinking they're getting someone who made 14 mill last yr, and can make 17 mill this yr if he stays, for 6 million is hoping for a miracle. He was the 2nd overall pick, and an established player just like the ones your listing, even if it is at a different position. Would you pass up that kind of money that was on the table, just because you wanted to play a different position? I guess maybe, if you were at least getting something fair in between. Bottom line, we don't and will not have the cap room.

The fact of the matter is he is UNPROVEN as an 3-4 OLB why is anyone going to pay big money to someone who is unproven. Yes, he was the second overall pick, but he was a DEFENSIVE END!! He has to transition to OLB and that might take some time!! I think its possible he will take less because he admitted that he has money and wants a ring( his agent didnt say it, it came out of his own mouth). Believe what you want but everyone is seeing him being paid big money as a DE!!