Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 [mergedx3]

[JackBauer]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

This is where everything gets complicated....

1. Assuming the last need for the Pats is OLB and they acquired Pepper's for the 34th pick, than why do they need their 23rd pick?

OT or ILB

2. Taylor being a free agent is an option and might be cheaper. Allows the Pats to trade some picks and beats having to deal with the Panthers organization and Pepper's agent. Just gotta deal with Taylor's agent and it is a done deal. Doesn't seem like there is much of a market for him anyways.

Why is it preferable to dealing with the Panthers?

Of course, that's like saying why buy a Maserati when you can get a Chevy Aveo.

 

[solman]

Re: NFL network : Peppers close to going to NE for #34 !

I feel like the leak was made by the panthers to drive up the asking price

BB's no rookie. He knew perfectly well they could do that.

But nobody can get Peppers without his consent without paying big bucks and dealing with the possibility of a hold out.

It therefore seems like Peppers, and not Carolina should be driving up the asking price.

I'd be more likely to look at Pepper's agent.

If he gets another offer and refuses to complete the New England deal, Carolina's got nothing put a pile of unavailable cap space.

 

[bucky]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Peppers wants to play OLB in a 3-4 defense. That means some TE or RB will have to try and block a 6'7" 270 OLB. Or in other words, good Luck.

I seem to remember that Dan Graham did quite an outstanding job blocking him in the SuperBowl. That's the one memory of Peppers that makes me a little skeptical. But the move certainly has a lot of upside.

 

[stevedogc]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Just the thought of the looks on the faces of all the people who hate the Patriots makes me want to see this trade go through. Can you imagine the collective "ah crap!" there would be the second this trade was announced. I got to admit it, but the look on Polians and Mannings face when and if the news breaks would be priceless.

 

[jays52]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

When I think of Mayo and Guyton learning how to rush paired with Thomas and Peppers on the outside, the only thing I can think of is....

 

[JackBauer]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

If this were to happen, I'd think Jarvis Green would be sleeping less comfortably and looking at alternate housing markets just in case.

I'd be fine with that. Jarvis hasn't really impressed me the past couple of seasons (at least, I don't think he's worth what he's getting paid).

 

[patsinthesnow]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

I want your opinion on this.

Seriously, there are 32 teams in the NFL. Is every other team besides the skins and the pats taking a snooze. We seem to be stealing everyone!

 

[mgteich]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

1) If Peppers signs a long-term deal, then we don't need an OLB.

2) We don't need our #23. The last I heard we were looking at ILB, DE, OT and even S at that position plus OLB.

This is where everything gets complicated....

1. Assuming the last need for the Pats is OLB and they acquired Pepper's for the 34th pick, than why do they need their 23rd pick?

1a. So why not trade the 23rd pick to a team like Dallas, who don't have a first round pick and may be looking at a big time receiver. Grabbing their second round pick would allow the Pats to "fortify" the roster moreso than looking for starters now.

1b. Getting Peppers makes Barwin unnecessary, right? Unless he is the new tight end prospect. So what would the 23rd pick be used for? A project at left tackle like Beatty? A safety? A corner?

2. Taylor being a free agent is an option and might be cheaper. Allows the Pats to trade some picks and beats having to deal with the Panthers organization and Pepper's agent. Just gotta deal with Taylor's agent and it is a done deal. Doesn't seem like there is much of a market for him anyways.

 

[Sicilian]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

OT or ILB

I love both of those ideas. An inside partner for Mayo for the next 10 years, or a stud RT to plug the only questionable hole in that line (maybe Neal too, but less so).

Yes, please.

 

[Adam Seward]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Without destroying the teams core, BB could open up ~10.3M by cutting Green, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi and Woods. He could also open ~2.3M by trading Hobbs for a future pick. Im sure out of a combo of those 6 he can work out enough cap for Peppers to fit.

 

[KY Pats Fan]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

I'm just not convinced that Peppers would be a fit for OLB. And at the price he is going to want, a situational pass rushing DE is not going to fit. His whole game is pass rush. I don't see him as a 3-4 DE where run and gap control are the primary responsibilities.

 

[solman]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

that won't fly.........you can kiss wilfork goodbye then

If he wants to get pissed off about a franchise tag, there is nothing we can do.

But he is going to have to deal with New England, and we are likely to insist on at least one season under the franchise tag before we let him off the hook.

Even if he didn't care about playing in New England, he would still be better off signing long term here if our number is anywhere close to what he thinks he can get.

 

[Sicilian]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Without destroying the teams core, BB could open up ~10.3M by cutting Green, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi and Woods. He could also open ~2.3M by trading Hobbs for a future pick. Im sure out of a combo of those 6 he can work out enough cap for Peppers to fit.

Why on earth would you want to cut Faulk?

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

I read somewhere that KC hasn't even reached the cap minimum yet.

Therefore, it seems logical that Jarvis Green could wind up in KC. Obviously, money would not be an issue.

 

[drakesta101]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

If these rumors are actually true, it would make a lot of sense in terms of why Wilfork's extension has yet to be completed. It's pretty safe to say Wilfork and the Patriots would like to come to an agreement, but if Julius Peppers has been in the plans of the front office than it is not presumptuous to assume that Wilfork's potential extension is connected to the possibility of the Peppers acquisition:

If Peppers is acquired, Wilfork's potential extension has to be done in such a way that it minimizes his cap hit this season so that Peppers' contract is fit under the cap requirements.

If the deal does NOT fall through for Peppers, than the Wilfork extension may done so that more of his extension is allocated to the 2009 cap.

Either way, if this deal is a possibility or has been a possibility it may lend to the idea as to why a contract has not been settled upon.

 

[Born_a_Patriot]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

 

[Ryan]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Awesome. I'm really surprised at how active the Pats have been this off-season. It reminds me of 2007. Let's just hope '09 ends better....

 

[patriots pam]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

Just reported on BSPN* teevee and they're crediting NFLN as the source, so it's still the only one so far, it seems.


*I'm not able to get NFLN, so DON'T JUDGE ME!

 

[JackBauer]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

I'm just not convinced that Peppers would be a fit for OLB. And at the price he is going to want, a situational pass rushing DE is not going to fit. His whole game is pass rush. I don't see him as a 3-4 DE where run and gap control are the primary responsibilities.

Durrrr... they're not signing him to play DE.

 

[JackBauer]

re: Carucci: Peppers close to going to NE for #34 (merged 3x)

I love both of those ideas. An inside partner for Mayo for the next 10 years, or a stud RT to plug the only questionable hole in that line (maybe Neal too, but less so).

Yes, please.

I'm a Guyton homer, so I think he might be that guy.

But probably just another ILB for the rotation, since you need three starting-caliber ILBs anyway.