Julius Peppers Wants Out of Carolina, Desires 3-4 Defense
by John Bena on Jan 17, 2009 7:12 PM MST
in 2009 Denver Broncos Re-Loading Season
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There is little doubt that if the Broncos are going to take a quantum leap forward defensively in 2009 they are going to have to do it with the help of free agents. With the arrival of Josh McDaniels and Mike Nolan, two proponents of the 3-4 defense, it is quite possible the Broncos will go back to the defense they made popular in the 70's with the Orange Crush.
Those two ideas are what make the comments of Carl Carey, the agent for Free Agent to-be Julius Peppers all the more interesting to Broncos fans.
He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina," 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 is staring a franchise tag straight in the face and, like most players, wants to avoid it at all costs. Few, however, go public so soon and with the type of mindset the Peppers camp is using. Not only is Peppers trying to say he wants out of Carolina, he is saying he wants out of the entire defensive scheme.
That leaves the Panthers in a bind. Franchise Peppers, and they are risking $16.7 million on a player that doesn;t want to play for them. They could do it to try and work a trade, but again, it is a huge financial risk.
For the record, Peppers himself has also been quoted as wanting out of Carolina.
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.
Sounds like a guy who has closed the book to me. That leaves the Broncos is an interesting position. Peppers is looking for new challenges in a defense he feels suits him and will let him reach his full potential. The Broncos are looking for a face of a defense that was on of the worst in it's 48 year history and seems ready and willing to move to that defense, with coaches who have had success running it. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
There is risk involved for the Broncos, to be sure, but the Broncos need to make a splash this off-season and they need to improve the talent on the defensive side of the ball. Peppers is one of the big names out there and would do both for the Broncos. There is a long way to go, and alot of ways this could play out. Below are Peppers numbers. Would you take the chance?
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I would take the risk...
He can play DE and is a great rusher. Hes big and would instantly be an upgrade. Pair him next to Thomas and bring in a NT from the draft. this would take the pressure off a NT.
I can aslo see potentila in Carlton Powell as an NT. He is a great run stopper, took on multiple blockers in VT’s scheme and can add wieght to his frame. It is an intriguing prospect.
Great coach JonnyB (Guru).
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Risk???
Drafting an unproven college athlete is a risk, taking Julius Peppers is landing a proven pass-rusher, which is something we have been lacking. Not sure what his times are, but the film doesn’t lie. He’s a gamer, and we’d be crazy not to make a run at him. Most of the other big name defensive free agents are likely to be franchised or sign a new deal with their current team, Peppers has made it clear he wants a new home.
Risk
because Peppers would demand high dollar and is unproven in a 3-4. It sounds as if he would want to be playing as an OLB in the 3-4 since DE aren’t typically pass rushers in the same sense as he has been in the 4-3. He’s shown flashes of having cover skills which would be important in the switch but for the money he would take it is a bit of a risk.
"If you don't know where your going you might find yourself somplace else."
I'm sure the Broncos would be interested
And I’m also sure 30 other teams would be, too. Peppers ain’t gonna come cheap . . .
Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy
Not unless 30 teams are going to play the 3-4
Though it is an interesting question. Is this simply a ploy to get out of Carolina, or does he really want to play in a 3-4. What 3-4 teams out there would pay him??
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
You have a point
if all Peppers wants to play is 3-4. However, at 287 lbs., he is marginal as big enough to play DE, and with a 4.75 40, his speed is marginal for OLB, unless he has a better 10 yd. time (burst). I just can’t picture him playing 3-4. Maybe he can, but he just seems better suited for 4-3.
Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy
I'll say this....
He looked alot faster than 4.75 when he nearly ran that pick 100 yards to the house against the Broncos a few years ago…
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
Since you said it twice
I’ll have to take your word for it. lol
Perhaps his football speed is faster than his published 40 time. We saw, for instance, how TD did that . . .
Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy
I remember that
he outran rod smith down the field
if i am correct
it was rod smith who ran down peppers and forced a fumble that denver recovered in the EZ for a touchback. Basically was the difference in that game
somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jan 18, 2009 2:42 PM MST up reply actions
Yes...Broncos should go after him aggressively.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
Agreed
I and many others have been calling for either Peppers or Haynesworth. I would prefer Peppers. It would be the first big step in turning around this defense.
Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed. But...
Let's all get on the Mac Daddy Express!
Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.
This is exciting news....I hope it comes to fruition
"I am not trying to start anything I am just saying that i think if you take Knowshon and draft D later you guys will be hella good next year" ...IamtheGreatest - The smartest Chiefs fan I ever had the priviledge of reading!
I voted NO---to expensive, and we have been down
this big name road before…
Just Saying……
I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.
this is different...
this isn’t picking up a guy that another team didn’t want because he cost too much and was past his prime.
This is a guy with alot of game left that just isn’t happy with his current situation.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 17, 2009 7:47 PM MST up reply actions
I think, new coach (McHoodie from wyoeng) and young players
Would’nt we do better thru the draft——I know it could be a crap shoot
but was 2008 a fluke, or………
I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.
Yes...it is theoretically possible that we'd do better in the draft.
And then we’d have that guy AND Peppers for other teams to contend with.
This is a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. The only issue is cost.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 17, 2009 7:55 PM MST up reply actions
I see your point------however it turns out
2009 Bronco defense will be greatly improved
I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.
Not a Cleveland Browns cast off...
Peppers has played for a pretty good team with a pretty good Defense, quite the opposite of taking whole Browns D Line a few years ago. As far as cost – I’ll do my part and buy an official Peppers Jersey the day we sign him. I think Haynesworth is the bigger risk, assuming he’d even be willing to leave AND want to choose Denver as his new home.
With the possible
trasition to a 3-4 looming I think both of these guys are a no go. Niether really fit our needs and would take up a huge amount of cap, if we are serious about making the swith to a 3-4 front I think we need to move away from Peppers and Haynesworth.
"If you don't know where your going you might find yourself somplace else."
Carolina has a big choice to make
They have 2 key FA. Jordan Gross and Julius Peppers are both UFA. They cannot place the franchise tag on both. Both are going to demand big money also. If they sign Gross and tag Peppers it will take a big hit at their salary cap. I think there is a good chance he will be released for money reasons and the pain he will bring because he really does not want to play there next season. Also how many teams play a 3-4 like 10 right now and 11 if we switch next year so we would not be competing with the whole league to sign him
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 17, 2009 7:45 PM MST reply actions
Actually teams can tag two players
there is a franchise tag and a transitional tag. It gets complicated but I wouldn’t say off hand that they can’t tag both without more research.
by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 17, 2009 9:15 PM MST up reply actions
I'm pretty sure you can only use one or the other
i think i remember it used to be that you could use 2 trans tags or 1 fran and 1 tran. But now its just one or the other
I think...
because it’s the last year of the CBA, that teams can use 1 franchise and 1 transition, or 2-transition tags. At least that’s what I think I read. Otherwise I believe you are correct. And I could be wrong, maybe it’s 2010 when that applies.
by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 18, 2009 10:45 AM MST up reply actions
Article XX section 3
(a) Each Club shall be permitted to designate one Unrestricted Free Agent as a Transition Player in the Final
League Year. In addition, in each League Year during the term of this Agreement, each Club shall be permitted to
designate one Unrestricted Free Agent or Restricted Free Agent as a Transition Player in lieu of designating a Franchise
Player, if such Franchise Player designation is available to such Club, in addition to the Transition Player designation
permitted by the immediately preceding sentence, during the same designation period as the Franchise Player
designation period. The period for Clubs to designate Transition Players will begin on the twenty-second day
preceding the first day of the new League Year and will end at 4:00 p.m. New York time on the eighth day
preceding the first day of the new League Year.
Very complicated wording but i believe this is where it stems from(above)
I think you’ll blow up if you read more than 3 times in a row :)
(below i got elsewhere) about the subject
In capped years (2008 and 2009), a club may designate a Franchise Player or a Transition Player. In the uncapped year (2010), a club may designate one additional Transition Player. A Transition Player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A Transition Player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Does he want to play DE or OLB?
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
My guess...
is Rush LB in a 3-4
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
Bingo
An athlete of his caliber isn’t going to be satisfied as a down-lineman DE in a 3-4 scheme (ala Castillo) clogging lanes and providing LBs with the opportunity to make plays. He’s a physical freak, and most likely wants the opportunity to rush the passer, in addition to mixing it up by dropping into coverage. Hell, if James Harrison can do it to great aclaim, I’d be scared of what ‘Pep’ (as he’s referred to here in Charlotte) could do. The problem could be price-tag. He’ll command a ton of money on the open market. Would he necessarily be that much better than some other (read cheaper) options at OLB? I’m unsure. It would make a splash to sign him, but I do have to admit to being skittish about big name DLs. Then again, there’s a new sheriff in town so there hopefully won’t be any more Letts, Archambeaus, McGlocktons, Gardners, Browns, etc.
"The angel is no more than the shark well-governed." -Herman Melville
Man
He’s be tough to stop…When he rests you’d have to face Doom or Moss. Somewhere a DC is crying….
In Goodman We Trust
If the Broncos had Peppers, Doom, and Moss
a lot of OCs would be crying, is my guess . . .
Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy
I am a big fan
I have always loved J Peppers. He is a beast and would look great in Orange and Blue.
For the love of the animals. 24
I'd always
draft him in Madden 2002 after importing the draft class from NCAA Football 2002. Maybe the dream of seeing him play in Orange and Blue will finally become reality.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Peppers
I dont see how we can pass up on him unless he wants a ridiculous amount of money. I understand the risk but he is one of the best pass rushers in the league and overall.
Go Broncos!
As I said in another post
If we were only a player or two away from an excellent defense I would say go for it. But we have more pressing needs. Without at least a passable NT a 3-4 is going to be dismal. We need at least 2 quality LBs and not ROLBs. And we need help at safety. Until those are filled, Denver would be a waste of Pepper’s talent and he would would a waste of our cap-space. Furthermore, no one knows if he can cover receivers. What makes OLBs in a 3-4 so hard to block is that the O never knows who is going to rush and who is dropping into coverage. That only works if your LBs can actually drop into coverage.
I agree SWG...
too many holes on this D to put another “Champ” sized contract on this defense. Just seems like if we were to spend that much on a player, why not make it a NT? Also, is it fact that we will indeed play a 3 – 4 next year? I think a lot of us may have 3-4 “tunnel vision” right now, and we may very well be right back in our 4-3 next year.
From there, I'd like to say that the wheels came off, but that wouldn't feel like an accurate description. The wheels didn't just magically come off, the Raiders all got out of the car, shot the wheels off the own car, busted out the taillights, smashed the windshield and poured Splenda in the gas tank. Then they all piled back inside and started screaming, "CAR WON'T MOVE, ME SAD NOW!" - MJD Yahoo Sports
well,
they could do worse.
"I want this team to be tough, smart and prepared to play well under pressure...Everybody here in this organization is going to be held accountable to do their job — their piece of the puzzle to make this team a competitor for a championship every season." J-Mac
by Jay Fin Anderson on Jan 17, 2009 9:33 PM MST reply actions
Window Shopping is Always Nice
The Broncos have to at least take a look. When a player this great is available, you’ve got to bid. Except for 2 down years, Peppers has been in double digit sacks as well as 3 or more forced fumbles. Heck, he even gets interceptions and (as we know first hand) he can run them back for 6.
There’s a lot of speculation on what D denver will run next season. My bets on a hybrid. I think Peppers would be more flexible and have a greater impact than Suggs or Scott in a hybrid.
I personally think he’s too good to pass up. Denver won’t pay anything to get him. They’ll have their limit and we’d be lucky to get him, but the Broncs won’t sell the house for him.
In the end, I think Peppers can name his price and will end up where he wants to. He seems to have the leverage right now.
It seems like an exodus in Carolina
Offensive and Defensive Coaches leaving now this, what’s really going on in Carolina?
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
The downside of success
One reason that the NE model is so praised is that ability to keep a championship team together for an extended period of time. When you are very successful, your top players can demand huge sums of money. You can’t pay them all, and if you don’t have drafted talend at reasonable prices ready to step in and up, you can get burned badly.
One reason the Goodmans’ effect on our draft is so key is that they gave us starters and solid developmental players in the low rounds – financially doable over time. What if Larsen and Barrett take 3 years to develop fully? Would that be bad? No, it would be great – they would be experienced starters at lower cost. Baltimore is becoming a victim of its success, and that’s hard to avoid
In Goodman We Trust
Before we start to go the way of the big FA singing again...
lets not forget about our own homegrowns, who will be coming up on FA themselves in the future. If I had a vote, I’d say no more big contracts until we can clean our roster of the current huge contracts we have. (Champ & Bly) If we could pick up some second tier type free agents, who wouldn’t cost more than the equivalent of a 2nd or 3rd round pick, then that would be fine. But if we’re in the process of starting over on D, why not stay young and build from the draft? A big name FA with a big time contract just doesn’t make sense to me.
From there, I'd like to say that the wheels came off, but that wouldn't feel like an accurate description. The wheels didn't just magically come off, the Raiders all got out of the car, shot the wheels off the own car, busted out the taillights, smashed the windshield and poured Splenda in the gas tank. Then they all piled back inside and started screaming, "CAR WON'T MOVE, ME SAD NOW!" - MJD Yahoo Sports
I should've said depending on age...
if it were a young player that could grow with this defense, like Asomugha for example, then that big contract would make more sense. I think you would have to put a age limit on it, like 26 years old and younger. Just my .02
From there, I'd like to say that the wheels came off, but that wouldn't feel like an accurate description. The wheels didn't just magically come off, the Raiders all got out of the car, shot the wheels off the own car, busted out the taillights, smashed the windshield and poured Splenda in the gas tank. Then they all piled back inside and started screaming, "CAR WON'T MOVE, ME SAD NOW!" - MJD Yahoo Sports
I need input
I’m still fuzzy on the CBA.
Would we have to give Carolina a 1st pick if he signs?
Does Carolina have to franchise him before the FA period begins?
I’m trying to understand all the contingencies involved but I’m discovering that I don’t understand the process as well as I thought I did. There are some resources on the web but they’re not as good as they should be at explaining the issue.
Peppers is a UFA...
so no, no pick from our team would be involved. Only for RFA’s or franchised players, does the new team give away picks. If we do sign him, and Carolina loses more FA’s than they gain, then they may qualify for compensatory picks next year.
From there, I'd like to say that the wheels came off, but that wouldn't feel like an accurate description. The wheels didn't just magically come off, the Raiders all got out of the car, shot the wheels off the own car, busted out the taillights, smashed the windshield and poured Splenda in the gas tank. Then they all piled back inside and started screaming, "CAR WON'T MOVE, ME SAD NOW!" - MJD Yahoo Sports
Unless they designate him...
if they do tag him, then yes it’s done before the FA period begins. FA begins at the end of Feb. and players are designated at the beginning of Feb. Depending on which franchise tag they might place on him, (exclusive or non-exclusive) the team which signs him would have to give up 2 first round picks if they sign him away from his original team. If he is an exclusive FA then he can only sign with the original team, at a typically higher salary than if he was non-exclusive, as one uses the previous year’s salary, the other uses the current year’s salary.
From there, I'd like to say that the wheels came off, but that wouldn't feel like an accurate description. The wheels didn't just magically come off, the Raiders all got out of the car, shot the wheels off the own car, busted out the taillights, smashed the windshield and poured Splenda in the gas tank. Then they all piled back inside and started screaming, "CAR WON'T MOVE, ME SAD NOW!" - MJD Yahoo Sports
thanks
I saw a posting on another site by someone who thought that signing Peppers would necessarily entail giving up some picks. I didn’t think he understood the process but I realized while responding that I didn’t fully understand all the relevant contingencies either.
Here’s some more:
When can the Panthers Franchise Tag a player?
Teams can officially designate Franchise Tag Players between Feb 5, 2009 and Feb 19, 2009.
Peppers’ contract expires on Feb. 26, at which time he’ll be a UFA, and the free agent/trade period begins on Feb. 27. If Carolina decides to tag Pepper’s as a non-exclusive franchise player then I doubt we’d have much interest, but you never know. And I’m speaking to the possibility of a trade rather than simply signing him along with giving Carolina high picks — of course.
Isnt Peppers a Nuggets fan?
I thought i heard that somewhere. Broncos should give him season tickets in his contract
If that's true then I'm 100% sold!
Bring in Peppers.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 20, 2009 10:59 AM MST up reply actions
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