Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Delhomme hospitalized, but tests come back OK

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November 2

Charlotte Observer

"Delhomme expects to play next week against New Orleans Quarterback Jake Delhomme said Sunday he thinks he will be able to play next week when the Carolina Panthers play New Orleans in the Superdome. He was taken to a hospital during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 34-21 victory against the Arizona Cardinals after he was driven into the ground by defensive tackle Darnell Dockett. Delhomme said he had a CT scan of his sternum. "They hit me where it hurts," said Delhomme, whose injury was officially described as a chest contusion. "As soon as I got hit, I felt it immediately. I couldn't catch my breath and I felt like it was my sternum. "I got the CT scan and I think everything is good." ..."

Fox reconsiders fierce loyalty to Delhomme

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October 27

Charlotte Observer

"If you needed any more evidence that the interlinked worlds of John Fox and Jake Delhomme have crumbled this NFL season, you needed to look no further than these words from the Panthers' head coach Monday. Regarding his current indecisiveness over who would start at quarterback Sunday at Arizona, Fox said in part: "I don't know if status quo is necessarily the answer." That might sound like a small statement. But for Fox, it represents a big shift. Fox reveres the status quo. He loves when things stay the same. He has a plan. He decided back in 2003 that his plan included Jake Delhomme as his quarterback, and on that point he has rarely wavered. I thought Delhomme should have been benched ..."

Delhomme: Down ... and out?

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October 27

Charlotte Observer

"Admitting his team's confidence in its passing game is in dire need of a boost, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox said Monday he's considering replacing Jake Delhomme as the team's starting quarterback. Less than a month after expressing his support of Delhomme's status as the starter with a "capital Y" for yes, Fox is on the verge of changing that to a billboard-sized N-O. "The reality is we're not operating very well there, and I don't know if status quo is necessarily the answer or not," said Fox. "We definitely need to do whatever it takes to get better. If that entails a quarterback change, that's what it'll entail." It's an unprecedented position for Fox, who never before in seven ..."

Fox weighing QB change, unsure about "status quo" with Delhomme

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October 26

Charlotte Observer

"Panthers coach John Fox said today he still believes Jake Delhomme is the team's best quarterback, but that doesn't mean Delhomme will start Sunday against Arizona. "The reality is we're not operating very well there, and I don't know if status quo is necessarily the answer or not," he said. One day after a painfully disappointing 20-9 loss to Buffalo, in which two of Delhomme's three interceptions led to touchdowns by the Bills, Fox left wide open the door that he could make a switch to Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley. "We definitely need to do whatever it takes to get better," said Fox. "If that entails a quarterback change, that's what it'll entail." Fox acknowledged that the ..."

Is Peppers worth $1 million per game?

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October 11

Charlotte Observer

"What does $1 million per game really buy? That's the question I set out to answer. To do so, I reviewed every Carolina Panthers defensive snap for the first three games of this 2009 season. I concentrated on No.90 - Julius Peppers, the player that the 0-3 Panthers are paying slightly more than $1 million per game. Panthers coach John Fox sometimes says when talking about the NFL: "The eye in the sky don't lie." Although I watched the video feed available to anyone with a TV, while coaches often watch film taken from the end zone that offers a wider view, I saw enough to come away with three conclusions: •NFL teams are no longer afraid to block Peppers with just one man. He used to ..."

Barber might miss Panthers game with injury

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September 23

Charlotte Observer

"Texas Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are prepared to move up the depth chart, if necessary, for Monday night's home game against the Carolina Panthers. An MRI on Monday confirmed that Marion Barber has a quadriceps strain that could sideline him after an impressive start to the season. He suffered the setback late in the fourth quarter Sunday night during a 35-yard run. With three tailbacks on the roster, Barber has been the workhorse, accounting for 32 of the team's 53 carries. After his 124-yard performance in the 33-31 loss to the New York Giants, Barber has 203 yards and two touchdowns. Jones, who would replace Barber, has 13 carries in the two games, yet has racked up 118 yards for a ..."

Panthers to add Feeley, place McCown on IR

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September 15

Miami Herald

"The Carolina Panthers will place quarterback Josh McCown on injured reserve and add quarterback A.J. Feeley after a physical on Tuesday, the team announced on Monday. McCown suffered sprains to both his left knee and left foot after a hit by Philadelphia's Darren Howard on Sunday. It is a six-week injury, but the team doesn't have time to wait for him to recover. "The whole thing's frustrating," McCown said. "It's a bummer because you get a chance to play regular-season football for the first time in awhile, and I was excited about that. For that (injury) to happen, it kind of stunk." Feeley, who was released by the Eagles after the signing of Michael Vick, will be signed once he passes a ..."

Appeals court rejects Jeffers

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August 21

Charlotte Observer

"Former Carolina Panthers player Patrick Jeffers' six-year attempt to get his complaints against the team heard in court was rejected this week by the N.C. Court of Appeals. In an opinion filed Tuesday, appellate judges affirmed prior rulings that Jeffers' case against the Panthers was subject to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and thus was a matter for league arbitration rather than a courtroom. Jeffers' case underlines the difficulty - some might say impossibility - of NFL players successfully suing teams. The CBA is designed for disputes between players and clubs to be handled as grievances decided by an arbitrator. Jeffers' attorneys have contended that they could not ..."

If Vick is truly contrite, he deserves a chance

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August 12

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"Michael Vick is not going to be a Carolina Panther. He has not been in camp. He has not huddled with Carolina officials in secret meetings in secret rooms in secret buildings. Wofford College has no secret buildings. He has not toured the practice fields in a golf car with Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. The rumors – VICK TO PANTHERS – persist because Carolina coach John Fox has yet to deny the possibility and because there are not enough fact-based rumors to satisfy the media as we approach mid-August. I ask Fox after practice Wednesday if he can envision any circumstances under which Vick plays for him. "You always keep all options open," says Fox. "I can't say that's something we're ..."

Smith hoping to return for opener

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August 11

ESPN.com

"Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is hopeful he'll recover from his right shoulder injury in time to play in the regular-season opener. The four-time Pro Bowl pick spoke to reporters Tuesday wearing a sling, a day after he was hurt hitting the ground hard following a collision with cornerback Chris Gamble at practice. X-rays were negative, but Smith declined to say if he had a separated shoulder or if he'll undergo an MRI exam. He did not give a timetable for his return, but said he was optimistic he'd be ready for the season opener Sept. 13 against Philadelphia. Smith has a history of shoulder trouble dating to a 2007 game against Dallas. He was injured in a preseason contest ..."

Ex-Wake Forest star trying to catch on with Panthers

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August 9

Charlotte Observer

"Kenneth Moore jumps from one position to another at Carolina Panthers training camp. First, he practices with the receivers. Then, when it's time for the special teams to work, he goes with them. There's little rest for Moore in the Spartanburg heat. "Ah, that's really nothing I'm not used to," Moore says with a shrug, recalling the days when he excelled at several positions at Butler High and Wake Forest. "I've been doing all this since I've been playing football. It's not overly complicated for me." Moore was able to display that versatility Saturday in front of friends and family at the Panthers' Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium. It's the same stadium where he watched Panthers games ..."

New deal for Peppers unlikely before deadline

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July 15

Charlotte Observer

"It appears the Carolina Panthers and defensive end Julius Peppers will not agree to a long-term deal before today's 4p.m. deadline, meaning the sides could be headed for another offseason standoff. Teams that used their franchise tag this year have until today's deadline to sign those players. If a deal isn't reached by the deadline, teams can't negotiate with those players until after the 2009 season. Kansas City beat the deadline by completing a deal with quarterback Matt Cassell, who was New England's franchise player and was traded to the Chiefs after signing his one-year tender. There are strong indications that Peppers and the Panthers won't agree to a new contract by the deadline. ..."

Long-term deal could be next for Peppers

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June 26

Charlotte Observer

"Recent face-to-face meetings with Carolina Panthers officials not only led defensive end Julius Peppers to decide to sign his contract tender to play for the team this season, but also resulted in him becoming open to their long-stated desire to sign him to a long-term extension. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, told the Observer late Wednesday night that Peppers was satisfied with the contract tender he signed (which could be worth a mind-boggling $19.183 for the 2009 season), but also was willing to consider a more permanent arrangement. "Julius has always had tremendous respect for the individuals in the organization, and he had the opportunity to sit down face-to-face and talk with people ..."

Two twists in Peppers saga

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June 25

Charlotte Observer

"The five-month Julius Peppers saga took two dramatic turns Wednesday. First, the Carolina Panthers announced their Pro Bowl defensive end had finally signed his offer sheet and would play for them this season. Then, late in the evening, agent Carl Carey said Peppers was satisfied with his contract situation, and also open to considering a possible long-term deal. For about two years, Peppers has resisted the Panthers' attempts to sign him to a contract extension, turning down offers that would have made him the NFL's highest-paid defensive player. Peppers' change of heart apparently occurred after recent meetings with team officials. "Julius has always had tremendous respect for the ..."

Peppers signs offer sheet, to play for Panthers

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June 24

Charlotte Observer

"The Panthers announced this afternoon that defensive end Julius Peppers has signed his offer sheet and will play for the team this season. A conference call has been scheduled for this afternoon. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, told the Observer that : "Julius is more than satisfied with the outcome and is prepared and ready to play football." Carey said a statement from Peppers was forthcoming in which Peppers said he'd had "positive and productive" conversations with the Panthers and that he was "optimistic" about the upcoming season. Peppers will be perhaps the highest paid player in the league with a contract that could pay him up to $19.183 million this season. He has a guaranteed ..."

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

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June 3

Charlotte Observer

"There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days. More than 500 pounds less. In their own competitive, high-stakes version of "The Biggest Loser," coach John Fox, his assistants and the football operations staff have combined to shed over a quarter ton of weight since the end of last season. "I don't quite feel like an old German shepherd anymore," said offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who dropped 71 pounds, the most in the eight-week competition. "I think it's helped me dramatically. It just didn't make me better looking." The program was the brainchild of trainer Ryan Vermillion, who became alarmed late last season at the staff's bulging ..."

Which QB will step in if Jake goes on the shelf?

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May 31

Charlotte Observer

columnist Scott Fowler

"If Jake Delhomme goes down in 2009, what comes next for the Carolina Panthers? You can guarantee this much. It will be a quarterback who is at least 6-3, went to at least two colleges and throws well on the run. That description fits both No. 2 quarterback Josh McCown and No. 3 Matt Moore. Both were almost invisible in 2008 but could be called upon at any time to salvage the 2009 season. "There are still some unknowns about both those guys," Panther coach John Fox said. "They are two gifted players - they've got all the tools. But the preseason will be real important to both of them. Right now Josh is No.2 and Matt is No.3, but our whole football team is an open competition." Make no ..."

Panthers to start summer workouts

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May 27

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers will return to their practice fields today for the start of a series of summer school practices expected to last until at least June11. The Panthers will gather for nonmandatory, once-a-day morning workouts that are not open to the public. Unsigned franchise free agent defensive end Julius Peppers is not expected to attend, though team officials have said they believe he'll report for the start of training camp Aug.2 in Spartanburg. Neither Peppers nor his agent, Carl Carey, have said when, or whether, he'll sign his contract tender and join the team. Peppers had hoped to be move to another team but was limited by the franchise tag. No team on his wish list was ..."

Is IR system in line for a change?

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May 21

Boston Globe

"When the NFL adopted its system for placing players on season-ending injured reserve, the main issue was stashing. Teams had long been allowed to place players on injured reserve and bring them back later in the season. But some felt that clubs were circumventing the rule by placing players who weren't truly injured on IR, opening a roster spot for someone else. Thus, a competitive advantage was scored. Colts president Bill Polian remembers high-profile coaches and personnel executives, such as Don Shula and Jim Finks, pushing for a change to combat stashing, and it finally came in 1993, when the league made two significant adjustments. At that time, players placed on injured reserve would ..."

No Peppers, no problem

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May 2

Charlotte Observer

"Julius Peppers' absence from the opening day of minicamp Friday wasn't a serious concern for Carolina Panthers players or coach John Fox. Though Peppers, a franchise free agent, hasn't signed his contract tender offer, Fox said he doesn't expect the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end to join the team any later than the start of training camp. "That's when our season starts," said Fox. However, neither Peppers nor his agent Carl Carey have commented on the situation in weeks. Peppers didn't get his wish to become an unrestricted free agent in February because the Panthers placed their franchise tag on him, restricting his ability to go to another team. He also didn't get traded before the NFL ..."

Looks like Peppers is staying in Carolina

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April 25

Charlotte Observer

"Barring a dramatic change, Julius Peppers isn't going anywhere. It's draft day, and Peppers, a Pro Bowl defensive end, is still a member of the Carolina Panthers, albeit as a franchise free agent. No trade is in sight and the team is moving forward with plans that he'll be back next season. Neither the New England Patriots nor the Philadelphia Eagles, two teams Peppers was interested in playing for, have shown a willingness to surrender the mega-trade package necessary to acquire him from Carolina and give him a top-market contract. Since Peppers hasn't signed the tender offer he received from the Panthers when they franchised him, they can't trade him under rules of the NFL's collective ..."

Time to shake Julius Peppers idea

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April 24

Boston Herald

"Don't be looking for any Peppers to spice up your draft day dining experience this weekend. There are myriad reasons - including but not limited to common sense - why the still-talked-about potential acquisition of free agent Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers is unlikely to happen this weekend and only one why it might - wishful thinking. Beyond that, it was always a great idea. The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher is presently in Arizona working out at a private facility. He is one of seven franchised players who has yet to sign a tender offer that, in his case, would guarantee more than $16 million this season unless a new contract is signed. So there are 16 million reasons ..."

Panthers extend Delhomme with 5-year deal

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April 23

Charlotte Observer

"The Panthers announced they have agreed to extend the contract of quarterback Jake Delhomme, which secures their long-term commitment to him at the all-important position and also provides some salary cap relief. Delhomme was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to count more than $11 million against the cap, but now has a new five-year deal that agent Rick Smith said is worth $42.5 million with $20 million in guarantees."

Panthers Extend Delhomme

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April 23

Charlotte Observer

"The Panthers announced they have agreed to extend the contract of quarterback Jake Delhomme, which secures their long-term commitment to him at the all-important position and also provides some salary-cap relief. Delhomme was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to count more than $11 million against the cap, but now has a new five-year deal that agent Rick Smith said is worth $42.5 million with $20 million in guarantees."

Will they or won't they trade Julius Peppers?

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April 22

Gaston Gazette

columnist Steve Reed

"This weekend's NFL draft is nothing more than a subplot. What everyone really wants to know is if the Carolina Panthers wind up trading disgruntled franchise defensive end Julius Peppers. Only then will the draft take on some intrigue since a deal for Peppers presumably would bring the team at least a first-round draft pick. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we can answer the question of whether Peppers will be traded, Peppers must first make up his mind where he wants to play football next season. Make no doubt about it, the ball is in his court. Because he's not signed the team's franchise tender, Peppers and his agent Carl Carey are the only ones who can broker a trade at ..."

Top 10 Pass Rushers

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April 22

Charlotte Observer

"Panthers Perspective Carolina has no greater need going into the draft than adding young depth and potential future starters on their defensive line. They need interior linemen who can rotate with starting tackles Maake Kemoeatu and ends who can provide a pass rush off the edge. These needs are so profound that Panthers' officials are challenged to be better talent evaluators than ever before this season, especially since they don't have a first-round pick. Here are some players projected to be available in the second and/or third rounds: Richmond DE Lawrence Sidbury, Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson, Boston College DT Ron Brace, Utah DE Paul Kruger, Southern Cal DE Kyle Moore, Southern ..."

Pass rusher would be welcome find for Panthers

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April 22

Charlotte Observer

"Without a first-round pick, at least for now, the Carolina Panthers aren't in position to draft an elite pass rusher in the NFL draft this weekend. Or are they? If general manager Marty Hurney, coach John Fox and college scouting director Don Gregory want to land a defensive end to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, they'll have to be astute in their talent evaluation and get fortunate with how the draft falls. Landing pass-rushing help is a need for the Panthers because their only player who consistently applies pressure is franchised defensive end Julius Peppers, who has said he'd prefer to continue his career elsewhere. One draft prospect who could be intriguing when the ..."

Hurney still saying he expects Peppers will play for Panthers in '09

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April 16

Gaston Gazette

"If the Carolina Panthers plan to trade defensive end Julius Peppers before the April 25-26 NFL draft, then general manager Marty Hurney is doing a pretty good job of hiding his cards. Hurney told reporters Thursday during an informal press conference at Bank of America Stadium there has been no change in Peppers' situation since the team placed the franchise tag on him back in February. "We franchised him and it's really no different than any other player who has been franchised," Hurney said. "We, as part of the franchise process with the non-exclusive tag, are not involved really in (trade scenarios). When we franchised Julius we did so with the intention of having him back -- and that's ..."

Repeating: Carolina, Cutler not a match

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April 1

Charlotte Observer

columnist Charles Chandler

"What a mess the Denver Broncos have with quarterback Jay Cutler. Barely a week after new coach Josh McDaniels told reporters at the NFL owners' meetings that Cutler definitely was the team's quarterback, and that he expected that to be the case five years from now, team owner Pat Bowlen issued a press release saying the team would try to trade Cutler, per his request. Bowlen's statement said Cutler was not returning calls from the club and that Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, made it clear the QB no longer wants to play for Denver. With all the buzz in Carolina country about Cutler, we thought it worthwhile to once again say here that Cutler isn't Carolina's kind of player and making a trade ..."

OT Pace, CB Lucas visit Bears

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March 31

Chicago Sun-Times

"More than a month after free agency opened, the Bears are exploring some interesting options. Seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Pace and cornerback Ken Lucas visited Halas Hall on Monday. Both players were cut for salary-cap reasons -- Pace by St. Louis and Lucas by Carolina -- and Pace is believed to be in negotiations with Baltimore on a deal. If that doesn't work out, the Bears could move quickly and perhaps dramatically alter their draft plan. The Bears signed Kevin Shaffer last week to fill the void at right tackle. If the Bears add Pace, 33, it could signal that they don't believe there will be solid tackle options available with their first- and second-round picks (Nos. ..."

Fox laughs off talk of Peppers to Patriots

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March 26

Boston Globe

"Julius Peppers being traded to the Patriots did not happen at the NFL owners' meetings. New England doesn't have the cap room to absorb Peppers's $16.68 million franchise tag salary, and yesterday Carolina Panthers coach John Fox called the reported trade that would have sent Peppers to the Patriots for a second-round pick "almost laughable." During the NFC coaches' breakfast yesterday, Fox was asked his initial reaction to an NFL.com report March 16 that said a trade sending Peppers to the Patriots could be done between the owners' meetings and next month's draft. "I can't really comment on exactly how I felt," said Fox. "It was almost laughable. That can't happen. Our system, I think ..."

Panthers in contract talks with Delhomme

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March 26

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers are talking to quarterback Jake Delhomme's agent about a possible contract extension, but both sides say it's too early to say whether a new deal will be reached. Delhomme, 34, is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to count more than $11 million against the Panthers' salary cap next season. The team could significantly reduce his 2009 cap number – perhaps by as much as 50 percent – with a multi-year extension. Wednesday was the first day either side has confirmed the contract talks. "There are discussions," coach John Fox said at the NFL owners' meetings. "It's always ongoing. There is no question we've got a commitment to Jake. Whether that ..."

Fox breaks long silence about Peppers

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March 25

Charlotte Observer

"If rock stars make loads of money, why can't football players? In essence, that was coach John Fox's take on the $16.683 million tender offer the Panthers had to make to defensive end Julius Peppers to franchise him and keep him off the free agency market. Barring a trade, the tender means Peppers will play for more than $1 million per game next season - a number that doesn't faze Fox. "I don't get into salaries," Fox told reporters at the NFL owners' meetings. "I don't know what Elton John makes or Bono makes. I'm sure they make pretty good numbers, too." Fox talked more extensively about Peppers Wednesday than anyone in the Panthers' organization has since Peppers first went public in ..."

Kraft coy about Peppers trade

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March 25

Charlotte Observer

"New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft wouldn't say Tuesday whether the team has serious interest in trying to work out a trade for Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. "We never negotiate in the papers," Kraft told the Observer at the NFL owners' meetings. "We like to try to execute and not talk about it. So we don't talk about it. "Sometimes there are agents or teams (who talk about it). Our name is constantly in the news, so we don't react to it." However, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, the only NFL head coach not attending the annual meetings, talked extensively about Peppers on a Boston radio station last week. While New England may be interested in Peppers, the team might not be ..."

Belichick: Deal for Peppers will need signature, time

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March 21

NFL.com

"A whole lot has been said and written about a story I posted on this site Monday regarding a likely trade that would send Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to New England in exchange for a second-round draft pick. On Thursday, two prominent voices joined the conversation: Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Peppers' agent, Carl Carey. After hearing Belichick during an interview on Boston radio station WEEI and reading comments from Carey posted a short while later on the Boston Herald's website, I got the impression that if anything does happen between the Patriots and Panthers, it will take every bit of the month-plus time frame I mentioned in the piece: at some point between ..."

No trade talks for Peppers

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March 21

Charlotte Observer

"New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday on a Boston radio show that the Patriots haven't been in trade negotiations with the Carolina Panthers for Julius Peppers. But Belichick, who was not initially asked specifically about Peppers, also explained on WEEI's "The Big Show" that he had a pretty clear understanding of the circumstances necessary for Peppers to be acquired by the Patriots or any other team. Peppers, who has said he doesn't want to return to the Panthers, has had the franchise tag placed on him by Carolina. News reports recently have indicated the Patriots are interested in Peppers, the Panthers' all-pro defensive end, who has yet to sign the Panthers' ..."

Belichick adds touch of spice

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March 20

Boston Globe

"A Bill Belichick interview can be a little like the verbal version of a Rorschach test - subject to interpretation and variation depending on one's point of view. What was indisputable yesterday is that in a lengthy phone interview with WEEI, the Patriots coach never once said his team was not interested in obtaining Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers. That will only further fuel the idea the Patriots are working to acquire Peppers. A source close to Peppers has made it clear the Patriots are on a short list of teams to which he would accept a trade. Echoing the statement released by the Panthers Monday, Belichick pointed out that Carolina can't engage in trade discussions ..."

Patriots run no-contact drill on Julius Peppers

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March 20

Boston Herald

"Julius Peppers would love to play for the Patriots. That much remains true. But while there has been a report that the Patriots are primed to make a deal for the Carolina Panthers defensive end, they have yet to drop a dime to his agent, who at this stage would need to broker such a transaction. Carl Carey, who represents Peppers, indicated last night he had not yet been contacted by Patriots coach Bill Belichick, or any other member of the organization. He claimed several other teams have asked him to gauge Peppers' interest. Just not the Patriots. "No, they haven't been in touch," Carey said of the Pats, "but we have had preliminary discussions with GMs from other clubs in the league." ..."

If Peppers wants out, pay cut best bet

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March 20

Yahoo! Sports

"The word "sacrifice" is chronically overused in sports. It's akin to college kids having to make really rough choices on a Friday night. Do I get the pizza or buy the six-pack? So when the idea of sacrifice is broached in regard to Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, the collective eye roll of America's football-loving public might be strong enough to affect gravity. But there's the choice, a "sacrifice" as it were, that Peppers must make if he really wants what he says he wants: out of Carolina. In order to facilitate that, he most likely must take less money than he would earn with the Panthers. A lot less. In fact, probably enough that a graph of his portfolio would resemble ..."

Peppers won't be traded at a discount

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March 18

Charlotte Observer

"There's plenty of smoke in the air involving a possible trade of Julius Peppers to the New England Patriots, but is there fire? And what's really going on? It's likely that no one - even those most closely involved - know for certain where the Peppers saga is headed, but we'll try to analyze the most likely possibilities here: First of all, other teams are inquiring about Peppers despite the fact that he bears the Panthers' franchise tag. "I have talked to general managers of other teams in the NFL and there is interest in Julius," Carl Carey, Peppers' agent, told the Observer Tuesday night. Carey declined to identify those teams. Despite the interest, it will be difficult to get a perfect ..."

A blocker on Peppers?

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March 18

Boston Globe

"What is clear is that Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers would like to play for the Patriots. What isn't clear is just how interested the Patriots are in landing Peppers to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense and how capable they are of doing it from a financial standpoint. A source close to Peppers said yesterday that the Patriots are on a "very short list" of teams he would consent to being traded to. It is believed that all of the teams on that list play a 3-4 defense, since Peppers, who has made it clear he wants out of Carolina and who has been slapped with the franchise tag by the team, told the Charlotte Observer last month that he wanted to play in a 3-4. However, talk ..."

Broncos to wait, but not for long

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March 17

Denver Post

"And on the first day at Dove Valley without Jay Cutler, the Broncos began talking about their star quarterback in the past tense. "You knew he was a great competitor," Broncos receiver Eddie Royal said. "You always saw it in his eyes that he wanted to win. He came to practice prepared every day. You knew what you were getting out of Jay." Royal followed up by saying he didn't mean to imply the Broncos quarterback has already left the building. But Cutler's permanent departure is becoming more likely after he was not in the building at 8 a.m. Monday when Josh McDaniels led his first team meeting as Broncos head coach. Cutler has formally requested a trade, primarily because he doesn't want ..."

Panthers: No Peppers deal, or talks

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March 17

Charlotte Observer

"Panthers general manager Marty Hurney issued a statement through team spokesman Charlie Dayton (Monday night) denying an NFL.com report that the team was working on a trade to send franchise free agent Julius Peppers to the New England Patriots for a second-round draft pick. "By the rules of the CBA, we cannot and have not had any conversations with other teams about julius," said Hurney. "Under the non-exclusive franchise tag, Julius and his agent, Carl Carey, are within their rights to talk to other teams about a potential contract. However, at this point, we are not aware of any such conversations.""

A sprinkling of Peppers talk

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March 17

Boston Globe

"Bill Belichick built his reputation as a defensive guru in part by maximizing the potential of an incredibly gifted pass rusher from the University of North Carolina, Lawrence Taylor. Now, he might be looking to repeat that with another UNC pass-rushing prodigy, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers. According to a report yesterday on NFL.com, the Patriots are primed to trade for Peppers, who was slapped with the franchise tag by the Panthers, using the second-round pick (No. 34 overall) they picked up by trading quarterback Matt Cassel to Kansas City along with linebacker Mike Vrabel. The report said the deal could get done sometime between the NFL owners' meetings next week in ..."

Patriots in talks to get DE Julius Peppers

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March 17

Boston Herald

"Been waiting for the other shoe to drop since the Matt Cassel trade? Then watch your step, because it's raining size 17 Carolina Panthers cleats in Foxboro. NFL.com reported yesterday that the Patriots and Panthers are discussing a deal that would bring four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers to New England in the blockbuster move of the offseason. The price, according to the report, would only be the second-rounder (34th overall) the Pats acquired from the Chiefs for Cassel and Mike Vrabel, although word out of Carolina last night was that the Panthers were expected to push for more, be it a player or another pick. The Panthers also denied the report. The reason: They aren't ..."

Patriots appear primed to make a deal with Panthers for Peppers

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March 16

NFL.com

"The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason. The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs on Feb. 28. According to league sources, the Patriots and Panthers are hoping to complete the deal at some point between the March 22-25 NFL owners meetings and the start of the draft on April 25. Peppers, on whom the Panthers have placed a franchise tag that assures him of a ..."

Starting right outside LB probably won't be Peppers

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March 5

Green Bay Press Gazette

"The starting right outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers' new 3-4 defense probably isn't on their roster. That means they're looking hard at a deep draft and thin crop of free agents to fill the position. In free agency, their top candidate is Dallas linebacker Kevin Burnett, though there are two or three teams pursuing him as hard. The Packers appear to have "strong interest" and want to bring in Burnett for a visit, agent Ricky Lefft said, but Lefft started contract negotiations with Oakland on Wednesday and was expecting to begin talks with San Diego later in the day. Burnett visited both teams this week. Burnett hadn't set up a visit with the Packers as of Wednesday afternoon, ..."

Julius Peppers is a hot item

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March 2

Boston Herald

"There are plenty of ways the Patriots can spend the money they saved by trading Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs. They can extend Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins. They can chase a free agent like Ray Lewis or Laveranues Coles. They can trade up and make a high first-round pick rich. Or they can boldly target the one player who would stop any head scratching over the seemingly one-sided Chiefs deal: Julius Peppers. The Carolina defensive end is the biggest name on the market, and he’s pretty much everything the Patriots seek. The four-time Pro Bowler is a pass rushing demon who already has said he’s “maxed out” in the 4-3 and would like to switch to outside linebacker in a 3-4. The ..."

Panthers OL Hangartner will test free agent market, agent says

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February 27

Gaston Gazette

"Geoff Hangartner, the team's top remaining unrestricted free agent, is not expected to re-sign with the Carolina Panthers today barring a dramatic turn of events. "He will test the free agent market," his agent Eric Metz said Thursday morning. "That's the way it looks now. He likes Carolina but he's going to see what else is out there." It was expected Hangartner would explore the market once the team signed offensive tackle Jordan Gross to a long-term contract, thus finalizing the team's starting offensive line. Although Hangartner plays a different position than Gross, the money the team gave to Gross doesn't leave much under the salary cap with which to convince Hangartner to stay. In ..."

Panthers Trade Rumors