Julius Peppers: The forgotten FA

[West Philly Patriot]

Have not heard a peep.

Julius Peppers seems like the forgotten man. I haven't heard anything of his demands, possible destinations, is he retiring etc.

He is just the type of veteran signing BB seems to love. Back 9 of a great career, he's made his money, he's ringless, and he still may have enough left in the tank to help a Contender in the right situation.

He's coming off 7.5 sacks, 2 FF, and 46 tackles... a career high 15 assisted tackles. Not up to his usual standards, but he hasn't exactly fallen off a cliff. In theory, with him being 34 it should be painless contract wise. Can't imagine he is looking to break the bank at this point.

But again, I havent heard anything.

 

[PatriotSeven]

He was a true beast in his prime. Not sure how much he has left in the tank, and how much he's looking for.

Still not cheap, methinks.

But yeah, if he has any hopes at sniffing the HOF, and any aspirations to get there, he'll be needing a ring. He left Carolina because he wanted to be on a winning team and wanted a chance at a ring. Came close, but no cigar.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I'll take Allen, for virtually the same cash.

 

[Wilfork#75]

One thing to remember with Peppers is he played with nobody around him in 2013. Chicago's defensive line was terrible and with Henry Melton on IR there was nobody to take any attention away from Peppers. Bringing him here as a rotational guy with Jones and Ninko could really boost his production.

I've said in other threads I would prefer Peppers over Allen. I think he will not only be cheaper, he also doesn't count as a qualifying free agent for compensation purposes. Don't get me wrong I would love to have Allen too but I think he is asking way too much. I'll happily take Peppers on a 2 year deal if his demands are reasonable.

 

[strngplyr]

The question regarding Allen vs Peppers is:

Did Allen ask for 10m or were the Broncos just ready to shell it out before D.Ware hit the market?

Allen's price might be lower, but he would have been a full to not accept being generously overpaid.

I do think Peppers has less left and will be cheaper, but we're not looking for an every down DE or a 3 year commitment. Short term, part time.

 

[Marqui]

Peppers is #1 on my wish list right now.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

One thing to remember with Peppers is he played with nobody around him in 2013. Chicago's defensive line was terrible and with Henry Melton on IR there was nobody to take any attention away from Peppers. Bringing him here as a rotational guy with Jones and Ninko could really boost his production.

I've said in other threads I would prefer Peppers over Allen. I think he will not only be cheaper, he also doesn't count as a qualifying free agent for compensation purposes. Don't get me wrong I would love to have Allen too but I think he is asking way too much. I'll happily take Peppers on a 2 year deal if his demands are reasonable.

Right there with you, he's older than Jared Allen for one and he's made more money over the course of his career. That would lead me to believe his demands would be lower. Especially for a great situation. With all
The time we spend in sub his reps would be right on par with what he's used to. Getting some rest would also not be a bad thing at this point in his career, but not sure how he views himself at this juncture.

There has been zero news from his camp.

 

[DocHoliday]

Definitely prefer him to Jared Allen.

1.) Allen wants to get paid like a 13 sack guy even though it wasn't a very impressive 13 sacks
2.) Peppers seems more likely to accept a reduced role.

 

[supafly]

Getting an upgraded "name" passrusher would be great, but they are likely to come much more expensive than we'd like to pay.

By saying "he should come cheap," you're really saying that Peppers or Allen will still definitely be looking at 5-6 million per season in the absolute worst case scenario.

Hopefully we can get it done, but my concern is that BB won't see much value there.

 

[strngplyr]

Getting an upgraded "name" passrusher would be great, but they are likely to come much more expensive than we'd like to pay.

By saying "he should come cheap," you're really saying that Peppers or Allen will still definitely be looking at 5-6 million per season in the absolute worst case scenario.

Hopefully we can get it done, but my concern is that BB won't see much value there.

I have to agree, I like Peppers over Allen at this point in chances of coming to NE, but both signings would probably speak desperation over value.

Revis at 12m is oddly enough considered a steal, and I like it. Browner is visiting tomorrow, if we upgrade our secondary enough the pass rush becomes less important, just like upgrading the pass rush to an extent makes the secondary less important.

It's very hard to get both, i'll settle with the ability to call one unit elite and let it make the other look good as a by-product.

 

[supafly]

I have to agree, I like Peppers over Allen at this point in chances of coming to NE, but both signings would probably speak desperation over value.

Revis at 12m is oddly enough considered a steal, and I like it. Browner is visiting tomorrow, if we upgrade our secondary enough the pass rush becomes less important, just like upgrading the pass rush to an extent makes the secondary less important.

It's very hard to get both, i'll settle with the ability to call one unit elite and let it make the other look good as a by-product.

I definitely agree that we need to see a nice upgrade in one or the other, so it doesn't really matter that much which one it is. There are pluses to both, and it's a passing league, so improving the secondary is great.

As far as the DL goes, I'm imagining that ONE of Wilfork/Kelly return, along with Siligia. We basically are a player or two away from it potentially becoming pretty good as well, especially when you consider the (hopeful) progression of Chandler Jones.

A nice value signing along with a couple of draft picks in the top 4 rounds may go a long way.

 

[TBR]

Not sure how I feel about Peppers and how much he has left. If he takes a cheap deal then why not.

Allen would be great but I'm worried about his cost. Can we backload a deal or something and cut him before the last year?

Ayers or Tuck anyone?

 

[kennyb]

Peppers is too expensive I would bet.

 

[Ivan]

Allen has been clear that he wants to play 3 downs and be the man, he isn't looking to be a rotational player, and that's what the Patriots are looking for. I think Peppers is a guy Belichick has wanted for some time but missed on him in free agency and i think he fits the profile perfectly of the older player Belichick brings in to play a role and produces in that role. I think they make a run at him and it is more likely imo that they sign peppers than it is they sign Allen.


I'm also hoping the Saints release Sproles, he is nasty and has a ton of gas left in the tank. Vereen is a good back out of the backfield whereas Sproles is scary out of the backfield and demands serious attention. It's not big money but he is another vet who could really contribute and make big plays at big times. Sign the midget/beast.

 

[eagle eye]

I'll take both on greatly reduced short term contracts to give them a very serious opportunity to win a ring! :singing::singing:

 

[NewFeep]

I'll take Allen, for virtually the same cash.

Gotta second this! Jared Allen brings much, much more than his game. He brings ATTITUDE that will rub off on the entire defense! Peppers is a good player but JA brings thee whole package and then some!!!!

 

[goheels22002]

The notion of bringing in 34-year-old players other than kickers make me cringe. The goal is to get younger and faster, not older and slower.

Think Chandler Jones, not Julius Peppers.

 

[slash83]

The notion of bringing in 34-year-old players other than kickers make me cringe. The goal is to get younger and faster, not older and slower.

Think Chandler Jones, not Julius Peppers.

At the right price of course, peppers would be a really nice rotational player and pass rusher to go along with jones and Nink. NE wouldn't be asking him to be a 3 down player cause we don't need that. They need someone to give starters a rest and still play at a good level, peppers is that dude.

 

[eagle eye]

The notion of bringing in 34-year-old players other than kickers make me cringe. The goal is to get younger and faster, not older and slower.

Think Chandler Jones, not Julius Peppers.

And you don't think that having a vet like Peppers or Allen around might help out younger players?

 

[Nunchucks]

Patriots absolutely need a pass rushers to rotate into the mix, give Jones and Ninkovich a breather. Peppers would be a perfect guy for that role.

The Patriots already have Buchanan and probably another rookie PR to rotate in, but they will need somebody they can count on and the older vet guys are great, they don't have the stamina to go all day and they don't have to.