Any Julius Peppers fans?

[moklerman]

I haven't seen any speculation about this but a couple of pieces fit. First, Peppers wants out of Carolina and to go to a 3-4 defense. Second, Whis wants to install a 3-4 defense. Third, the Cardinals have lots of money under the cap to work with.

Okay, these are all generalities but I would appreciate some incite/opinions on Peppers. Of course I know his name but I don't watch very much Panthers football. Is he worth the money he's going to be getting? Is it worth it for the Cardinals to spend that money on him? Will he be as dominant if he goes from a 4-3 to a 3-4? Is he more than a sack artist(can he stop the run?)?

 

[Pariah]

He's more known for his pass rushing, but he's a pretty complete end and would excel in a 3-4, IMO.

 

[moklerman]

He's more known for his pass rushing, but he's a pretty complete end and would excel in a 3-4, IMO.

Any idea what he'll cost or if the Cardinals should pursue him(in your opinion of course).

 

[Shogun]

As a big fan of Peppers, I will be the first to admit that he is going to be worth the cash he's going to get. He's uber-athletic, so playing in a 3-4 shouldn't be too much of a problem as he could thrive as a DE or LB. He's a great pass rusher and has shown good cover ability, especially for a 4-3 DE. His biggest flags are inconsistency and his impact in big games. Maybe a new change of scenery would alleviate that...?

 

[Shogun]

Any idea what he'll cost or if the Cardinals should pursue him(in your opinion of course).

Something similar to the Jared Allen trade.

 

[football karma]

I think he wants to play LB in a 3/4 ---

he doesnt strike me as the classic two-gap, take up blockers so LBs can make plays DE the 3/4 demands.

Thus the real conundrum:

how can you pay top, top dollar to a guy who is making a position switch?

We can project all we want, but until you try it -- we dont really know if Peppers is athletic enough to be a OLB -- or just a really athletic 4-3 defensive end who isnt athletic enough to be a OLB.

If the answer turns out to be "no he cant" -- you are really stuck. You run a 3/4 defense and your highest paid defensive player really doesnt fit into what you do.

 

[PoolBoy]

Smith said he doesn't want to play in a 3-4. bring in peppers. that would be sick.

 

[moklerman]

If he costs what KC got for Allen it's probably way too steep.

 

[CaptTurbo]

This is #1 on my wish list for FA.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Imagine Dockett Watson Peppers?

 

[MrYeahBut]

I love the way he got decleated by Smith in the playoff game in Carolina. I know the game was pretty much out of hand for the Panthers, but wasn't he pretty much a nonfactor?

 

[gamebird98]

Imagine Dockett Watson Peppers?

Make a nice Law firm!...lol

 

[Cardiac]

Peppers got blasted for his 2007 season performance. He either didn't put in any offseason work or turned it off for that year.

He is as athletic as any DE in the NFL and has had some very good years. Warning flag is that he turned it back on again in a contract year (2008).

He would be a HUGE upgrade of O'Keafer, Laboy and Berry (when they were asked to play in space).

My guess is he wants to play in a 3-4 so he doesn't have to put his hand on the ground and take the pounding a DE normally does. So again a warning flag for me.

His contract would have to have offseason workout clauses and Roster Bonuses instead of a flat Huge signing bonus for me to feel comfortable bringing him in.

 

[football karma]

Peppers is looking to play OLB -- not DE.

 

[joeshmo]

Something similar to the Jared Allen trade.

He is a free agent. Doubtfull they put the tag on him considering the cost that will be and will most likely put that tag on Gross instead.

As for contract it will be higher then Allens, which was 6 years, 74 million, and 31 million in gauranteed. Not a chance in H.E. double hockey sticks we will pay a guy that much money.

 

[DoTheDew]

He is a free agent. Doubtfull they put the tag on him considering the cost that will be and will most likely put that tag on Gross instead.

As for contract it will be higher then Allens, which was 6 years, 74 million, and 31 million in gauranteed. Not a chance in H.E. double hockey sticks we will pay a guy that much money.

Peppers will be 30 next season. I'm not sure he even wants a 6 year deal. The per year amount will be similar though.

 

[Savage58]

I think Peppers wants to slim down and become a pass rushing OLB, I remember reading something in an interview with him when he was saying he was being mis-used in the Panther D, and would prefer to drop to 265-270 and move to a 3-4 outside rusher.

That sounds exactly like the position we're in the market for. He can easily drop in coverage, and can do even better when he drops the weight, he played last year at 285-290 and he runs down WRs and RBs from behind routinely he's a freak, I'd pay the man, but prefer Suggs who is younger and a tenacious pass rusher in his own right.

If Peppers replaced James Harrison in Pittsburghs defense, Peppers would be ALL-WORLD every year, JMHO.

 

[Big Deal]

He is a free agent. Doubtfull they put the tag on him considering the cost that will be and will most likely put that tag on Gross instead.

As for contract it will be higher then Allens, which was 6 years, 74 million, and 31 million in gauranteed. Not a chance in H.E. double hockey sticks we will pay a guy that much money.

Wouldn't you rather go after Suggs if you were going after a free agent OLB/DE?

 

[WildBB]

We're set at DE. We need a rushing OLB, very athletic.

Maybe it'll be Dansby and we can focus on getting a better ILB to go with Hayes. I'd like to see them go that way. Put Dansby and A-Dub on the outsides.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

We're set at DE. We need a rushing OLB, very athletic.

Maybe it'll be Dansby and we can focus on getting a better ILB to go with Hayes. I'd like to see them go that way. Put Dansby and A-Dub on the outsides.

Answer: Bart Scott - Ravens

 

[Redrage]

Living here in Charlotte I get a good dose of what's going on with Peppers.

1) He is the Anquan of Charlotte, loved by the fans but doesn't want to be here.

2) Those speculating that he is talking about playing as a OLB in a 3-4 are correct. Put to bed any speculation about his playing DE in a 3-4 because that is not what he's talking about.

3) The 3-4 talk may be a smoke screen. He's throwing this out there because he thinks that he can drive up his value. However, at the end of the day a traditional RDE makes more than an OLB (even in the 3-4). He wants to be paid like a DE.

 

[Pariah]

We're set at DE. We need a rushing OLB, very athletic.

Maybe it'll be Dansby and we can focus on getting a better ILB to go with Hayes. I'd like to see them go that way. Put Dansby and A-Dub on the outsides.

No, no, no and no. Dansby has proven his worth as an ILB. He doesn't play outside. We went to the SB, you'd think this of all offseasons we wouldn't have to put up with talk of players changing positions.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

For some reason Peppers reminds me of Jevon Kearse. He got that big deal in Philly and was pretty much a bust. I think he ahd 1 good year and now is back in Tennessee. Peppers is looking for the big payday, who isn't, but he scares me that he'll shut it down. I'd rather have Suggs. I could see Peppers in Philly,GB,Oak or Was. I know there some 4-3 teams there but money talks.

 

[jmt]

Not for what he wants. I'd rather resign some of our guys down the list.

 

[Skkorpion]

For some reason Peppers reminds me of Jevon Kearse. He got that big deal in Philly and was pretty much a bust. I think he ahd 1 good year and now is back in Tennessee. Peppers is looking for the big payday, who isn't, but he scares me that he'll shut it down. I'd rather have Suggs. I could see Peppers in Philly,GB,Oak or Was. I know there some 4-3 teams there but money talks.

Cbus, you speak for me on this.