Julius Peppers News: Pro Sports Daily

Peppers playing better in new defensive scheme

Comment

October 30

Charlotte Observer

"With five sacks in the past three games, defensive end Julius Peppers once again has affirmed his status as one of the NFL's top pass-rushers and eased some of the public debate over his $1 million-a-game salary. On Thursday, in his first interview in a month, he attributed his improved play, and that of the Carolina Panthers' defense in general, to becoming more acclimated to the new system installed by first-year defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. It's a matter of "just adjusting to the defense, knowing what you're supposed to do within the scheme and allowing yourself to play faster," said Peppers, whose tally of six sacks on the season ranks eighth in the NFL. "Everybody is getting a ..."

Is Peppers worth $1 million per game?

Comment

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 ..."

Peppers: 'We're not going to panic'

Comment

September 14

Charlotte Observer

"Thanks to seven turnovers by the Carolina Panthers, the Philadelphia Eagles started two drives within 10 yards of a touchdown. Two other Eagles scores came without their offense ever lining up. So it's a bit misleading to say Carolina's defense allowed 38 points Sunday. Except that's how Julius Peppers sees it. "We gave up 38 points … There's nobody on this team that should skip responsibility" for that, said the Pro Bowl defensive end. "We have a chance to stop them, no matter where they get (the ball). And a couple of times we didn't do that." Peppers finished with a sack, five tackles and two passes defended. Good productivity, but as he put it, "not good enough to win." While he was ..."

It's up to Peppers to show he is worth all the millions

Comment

September 14

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"The player who more than any other will determine Carolina's success this season is Julius Peppers. Peppers is no more important than the wide receiver, middle linebacker, running back, left tackle or the quarterback. But he's more unpredictable. We know what Steve Smith, Jon Beason, DeAngelo Williams, Jordan Gross and Jake Delhomme will bring. We have no idea what Peppers will. Last season he had a career high 14 1/2 sacks and the Panthers went 12-4. Two seasons ago he had a career low 2 1/2 sacks and the Panthers went 7-9. Peppers, 29, has yet to explain his 2007 performance. He uses words so sparingly that the best way to communicate with him might be body language. His body language ..."

It's up to Peppers to show he is worth all the millions

Comment

September 13

Charlotte Observer

"The player who more than any other will determine Carolina's success this season is Julius Peppers. Peppers is no more important than the wide receiver, middle linebacker, running back, left tackle or the quarterback. But he's more unpredictable. We know what Steve Smith, Jon Beason, DeAngelo Williams, Jordan Gross and Jake Delhomme will bring. We have no idea what Peppers will. Last season he had a career high 14 1/2 sacks and the Panthers went 12-4. Two seasons ago he had a career low 2 1/2 sacks and the Panthers went 7-9. Peppers, 29, has yet to explain his 2007 performance. He uses words so sparingly that the best way to communicate with him might be body language. His body language ..."

DE Peppers looks in midseason form as training camp kicks off

Comment

August 4

Gaston Gazette

"Here are the highlights from the Carolina Panthers first day of training camp Monday at Wofford College. (Note: The team will be back on the field at 6:40 tonight.) HOT TOPIC: Despite missing all of the team's offseason workouts, DE Julius Peppers looked in great football shape as the Carolina Panthers opened training camp on Monday. "He's big. That stinks when you're going against somebody that's bigger, stronger and faster than you are," said OT Jordan Gross, who renewed his rivalry with Peppers during practice. "But he's great. I'm glad he's back. I think that says a lot about what he wants to do this year that he didn't sit out of camp. I asked him, 'You're crazy. Why are you back ..."

Peppers reports to camp, stays out of spotlight

Comment

August 3

Charlotte Observer

"Julius Peppers was reunited with his Carolina Panthers teammates and coaches Sunday, reporting as promised to the start of training camp. He kept a low profile from the media, driving his sporty blue Maserati to his dorm room to check in after most reporters had left the area. Quarterback Jake Delhomme said Peppers was welcomed back to the fold after missing minicamp and summer school practices - all part of the aftereffect of the Panthers placing their franchise tag on Peppers in February to prevent him from achieving his goal of moving to another team. "I saw him this morning (while) getting my physical," said Delhomme. "I shook his hand like I would have done had he been here for ..."

Peppers saga won't end well for Panthers fans

Comment

July 16

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"By declining to sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers by Wednesday's 4 p.m. deadline, Julius Peppers becomes the world's highest paid temp. Bound to the Panthers for one season, he'll make $16.683 million (before bonuses), more than $1 million a game. This is the rare deal that doesn't satisfy either party. Peppers doesn't want to be a Panther. If he did, he would have signed a contract last season or last month or Wednesday. The Panthers, in turn, don't want Peppers to be a temp. They cling to the idea that Julius will change his mind and sign a long-term contract and they can be friends again. It's not going to happen. The Peppers-Panthers saga will not end well. The Panthers ..."

Long-term deal could be next for Peppers

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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 ..."

No Peppers, no problem

Comment

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

Comment

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 ..."

Will they or won't they trade Julius Peppers?

Comment

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 ..."

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

Comment

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 ..."

Fox laughs off talk of Peppers to Patriots

Comment

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 ..."

Fox breaks long silence about Peppers

Comment

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

Comment

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 ..."

No trade talks for Peppers

Comment

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: Deal for Peppers will need signature, time

Comment

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 ..."

Belichick adds touch of spice

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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 ..."

Julius Peppers' switch a plus

Comment

March 18

Boston Herald

"The idea sounds crazy. Why would a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end in his prime shift to linebacker, as Julius Peppers hopes to do with the Patriots? It turns out there's a precedent in the not-too-distant past, and his case sheds some light on why the move is not only feasible for an athlete as gifted as Peppers, but might even help take his game to the next level. In late 2004, Nick Saban became head coach of the Dolphins and made a controversial decision. He planned to shift three-time Pro Bowler Jason Taylor from right defensive end to roving outside linebacker. Will Muschamp remembers those days well. Now the defensive coordinator at the University of Texas, Muschamp then was the ..."

Panthers: No Peppers deal, or talks

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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

Comment

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 ..."

Gross: Peppers may be 'willing' to stay

Comment

February 24

Charlotte Observer

"Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross said on Sirius NFL Radio today that he hopes the team will do whatever it takes to keep defensive end Julius Peppers and that he thinks Peppers could agree to remain with team. Gross said he has spoken to Peppers recently and said of Peppers: "he's willing to leave, he's willing to stay." Peppers has told reporters, and has said through his agent, that he wants to play elsewhere. However, Peppers is now under the franchise tag, which limits his ability to go to another team. Peppers could choose to play under a one-year tender offer of $16.683 million. Here's a partial transcript of Gross' conversation on the "Movin' The Chains" show with hosts Tim Ryan ..."

Panthers busy at deadline

Comment

February 20

Charlotte Observer

"Don't be surprised if Julius Peppers is back in a Carolina Panthers uniform next season. That's precisely what the Panthers had in mind Thursday when they signed left tackle Jordan Gross to a mega-contract and put their franchise tag on Peppers. Gross received a front-loaded, six-year deal worth close to $60million, including $30.5million in the first three years, the most ever for an offensive lineman. Tagging Peppers required the team to make him a one-year tender offer of $16.683million - an average of more than $1million per regular-season game for next season. The moves on a whirlwind day of activity will require the Panthers to cut some other players to get under the NFL salary cap, ..."

I'll be shocked if Peppers plays for the Panthers again

Comment

February 20

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"I think Julius Peppers is gone. The Panthers can tie him up and lock him down. But I don't expect them to. Some team, perhaps one of the Final Four a source told me Wednesday that Peppers was willing to play for, will be intrigued by his potential. And they'll cut a long-term deal with him and cut a deal with the Panthers. The rules say that a team has to give the Panthers two first-round draft picks. The rules lie. Minnesota gave Kansas City a first-round pick and two-third rounders before last season for their star pass rusher, Jared Allen. Both Peppers and Allen had 141/2 sacks last season. If the Panthers, who are coming off two strong drafts, can get three picks, one in the first ..."

Panthers re-sign Gross; put tag on Peppers

Comment

February 19

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers reached a contract agreement today with left tackle Jordan Gross and placed their franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers. According to sources, Gross received a front-loaded, six-year contract that pays him $30.5 million over the first three years of the deal - the most lucrative three-year payout ever to an offensive lineman. "We're done, I want to confirm that," Gross told the Observer. "I'm ecstatic to be part of the Panthers." With Gross secured, the Panthers placed their franchise tag on Peppers, who said on a conference call last Saturday that he'd ask to be traded if tagged. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, issued the following statement this afternoon: ..."

Peppers gives Panthers few options

Comment

February 19

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"I can't see Julius Peppers wearing a star on his jersey and playing for the same Dallas defense that features 2008 NFL sack leader DeMarcus Ware. A source says, however, that there are only four teams to which Peppers is willing to be traded. Three are in the NFC. One is the Cowboys. The Panthers have until 4 p.m. today to apply the franchise tag to Peppers. If they do, they'll retain him for one season at a cost of almost $17 million. The only reason to retain Peppers at that price is to trade him. This becomes difficult when he excludes 27 teams. The trade partner has to satisfy Peppers and the Panthers. Carolina covets draft choices, one of which almost certainly has to be in the first ..."

Time dwindling to settle Gross, Peppers issues

Comment

February 18

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers are down to their final two days to decide how to use their franchise tag before the free agency signing period opens. In left tackle Jordan Gross and defensive end Julius Peppers, the Panthers have two elite-level players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Feb. 27. NFL rules allow teams to protect one of their players with a franchise tag. The Panthers have been trying to complete negotiations for a new contract with Gross, who has said he wants to stay with the team."

Peppers' conference call excerpts

Comment

February 15

Charlotte Observer

"Excerpts from Julius Peppers' conference call Saturday with reporters, including the Observer's Charles Chandler and Tom Sorensen. For a full transcript, see www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers ON POSSIBLY PLAYING IN A 3-4 DEFENSE: "That doesn't necessarily mean I'm ruling out any other teams that play a 4-3. I just sort of have that option available because I feel in that particular system, it would allow me to do things that playing defense in a 4-3 doesn't necessarily allow me to do." WHY HE WANTS TO LEAVE: "Seven years is a long time. Since I've been here, I've given everything I had. There's never been a time when I wasn't giving my all. Basically, it's a situation I feel it's a point ..."

How well do we really know Peppers?

Comment

February 15

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"Seven of us talked to Julius Peppers Saturday afternoon on a conference call set up by his agent, Carl Carey. It was like every other interview Peppers has done during his seven seasons as a Carolina Panther. He was unfailingly courteous. And he said little. Nobody has ever walked away from an interview with Peppers and said, "Eureka! I now know him!" Julius doesn't give much away. I don't think he gave much to his teammates - I'm talking about his personality, not his performance - or to his employers. He might play a little ball or shoot a little pool at Davidson, not far from his home. But I doubt he's commandeering a post-game table at the Brickhouse Tavern or Soda Shop and, over a ..."

Peppers will seek to be traded if tagged

Comment

February 15

Charlotte Observer

"Julius Peppers remains steadfast in his desire to leave the Carolina Panthers, saying Saturday he'll ask to be dealt to another team if the Panthers put their franchise tag on him this week. "If they decide to use the tag on me, the first thing I would be doing is requesting a trade," he said during a 22-minute conference call withreporters, including two from the Observer. Peppers stopped short of threatening to hold out of minicamp practices if the Panthers try to use the tag to keep him for the 2009 season under a one-year tender. "That is too far out for me to even be thinking about right now," said Peppers. "Right now, I am waiting on the franchise tag, or not waiting on the franchise ..."

Peppers, Gross playing in today's Pro Bowl

Comment

February 8

Charlotte Observer

"Two players who are among the Panthers' biggest offseason priorities - defensive end Julius Peppers and offensive tackle Jordan Gross - will be in the starting lineup for the NFC in today's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. It might be the last time Peppers - who has said he doesn't want to play for the Panthers after his contract expires later this month - wears a Carolina helmet. Gross, who's playing in his first Pro Bowl and who also could become a free agent, has said he'd like to remain with the Panthers. This is Peppers' fourth Pro Bowl appearance. Two other Panthers - receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Jon Beason - are reserves. It's Beason's first Pro Bowl, while this will be ..."

Panthers must make decisions soon on star players Peppers, Gross

Comment

February 3

Gaston Gazette

"Decision time is drawing near for the Carolina Panthers. While Jordan Gross and Julius Peppers are preparing for this week’s Pro Bowl in Honolulu their future with, or perhaps without, the Panthers could begin to take shape this week. Both stars are due to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 27 and the Panthers have the option to put the franchise tag on one of them at some point between Thursday and Feb. 19. However, the Panthers can only franchise one player, which means it’s possible they’ll be forced to let the other one walk out the door – without any compensation -- if they can’t reach a long-term contract with one of them. The ideal scenario for Carolina general manager Marty ..."

Plenty of attractive pieces on market for Chicago Bears

Comment

February 2

Chicago Tribune

"Monday officially begins the off-season. Even if free agency doesn't begin for another 25 days, Bears fans will bandy about many names over the next month that may or may not make sense for a team buoyed by watching a fellow 9-7 team play in the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Chris Simms. Veteran leaving the Titans makes sense as Jerry Angelo seeks competition for Kyle Orton. If the choice ends up being Simms, whom the Bears have liked since the 2003 draft, it's a competition Orton likely will win — as many in the organization would prefer. Byron Leftwich. Steelers backup dazzled media during Super Bowl week and charisma definitely would change the chemistry in the Bears' locker room. If ..."

Opinions on Peppers' best fit split, 3-4 or 4-3?

Comment

January 25

Charlotte Observer

"NFL coaches, scouts and front-office personnel attending Senior Bowl practices last week disagreed about how Julius Peppers would fare in a 3-4 defense. Some, such as Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio, think Peppers could be marvelous if used primarily as a pass-rushing outside linebacker without much pass coverage responsibility in a 3-4. Others think Peppers is ideally suited to play right defensive end in a 4-3 scheme like the Panthers use. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, said last week that Peppers is interested in, but not fixed on, playing in a 3-4 scheme and wants to continue his career with a new team after his contract expires Feb.26. The Panthers haven't said what they'll do about ..."

Peppers' departure is not a sure thing

Comment

January 22

Charlotte Observer

"Think Julius Peppers definitely has played his last game for the Carolina Panthers? While that could be, the team certainly isn't saying so and actually has significant leverage it could use to keep Peppers on the team for one or more seasons - albeit at a price that borders on astronomical. The Panthers are being extremely tight-lipped about the situation, but have made it clear they will do what's best for their football team. Asked Wednesday after a Senior Bowl practice if there's a chance Peppers could play for the Panthers again next season, coach John Fox said, "Well, yeah … It's a process. I don't like predicting a process. You've got to go through it and see how it works out." Fox ..."

Peppers hinted at decision

Comment

January 19

Charlotte Observer

"Here are a few more thoughts on the Julius Peppers drama now unfolding: The first hints that Peppers might want to move on to a new team surfaced back in training camp. In a July31 interview in Spartanburg, he carefully chose his words and didn't respond directly when asked, in effect: "Do you want to remain a Panther?" In the locker room after the Panthers suffered their playoff loss to Arizona on Jan.10, Peppers again sidestepped the question, pausing and gathering his thoughts before answering. Ditto for Sunday, Jan.11, when he spoke with reporters for a few moments. If indeed Peppers has played his last game for the Panthers, it is such a strange ending. John Fox seemed the ideal ..."

Q and A: Peppers' agent discusses why his client wants out of Carolina

Comment

January 18

Gaston Gazette

"Julius Peppers' agent Carl Carey talked to Carolina Growl for about 25 minutes Saturday regarding his client's decision to no longer play for the Carolina Panthers. Here's what Carey had to say: When did Julius make his decision that he doesn't want to play for Carolina? "Definitively it was made Wednesday of last week, the final, final decision about where he stands with this. It has been something he has been comtemplating for awhile and trying to work through. But Wednesday, after he had a few days to think following the season, he made the final decision." Why doesn't he want to play in Carolina? "It really has to do with him being in his prime and having certain goals set for himself ..."

Pro Bowl DE Peppers says he wants out of Carolina

Comment

January 18

Gaston Gazette

"It's been a rough eight days for the Carolina Panthers. One week after getting upset by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, their best defensive player said he doesn't want to play for them anymore. That's what happened on Saturday when defensive end Julius Peppers confirmed what was speculated last week -- that he wants out of Carolina. "Julius is ready to move on and play for another team," agent Carl Carey said Saturday morning. "Julius has given a huge portion of his career and his time to the Carolina Panthers and he feels that he has done what he can do there. So this is more about him trying it another way. For him that means trying it outside of the Carolina ..."

Panthers SS Harris not angry with Peppers' decision

Comment

January 18

Gaston Gazette

"Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris said he's not angry over Julius Peppers' decision to move on from the team and try to play for another organization. "Julius is great guy to be around," Harris said Saturday night in a text message. "He was a good guy in the locker room and one of the greatest players I have ever played with. If he's not back in a Panther uniform he will be extremely missed. (But) I'm not mad that he wants to go elsewhere." Harris said he respects Peppers and his decision. "He has to do what's best for him and his career," Harris said. "At the end of the day you have to do what's best for you and in your (own) best interest. So if he is not here next season I wish him ..."

'This decision was not made in haste'

Comment

January 18

Charlotte Observer

"Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers is intrigued by the possibility of playing for a team that runs a 3-4 defense, his agent told the Observer on Saturday. Agent Carl Carey also said Peppers won't sign a long-term contract with the Panthers, now or in the future, but that his discussions with general manager Marty Hurney have not been contentious. Here's the full transcript of Observer staff writer Charles Chandler's conversation with Carey via phone from Houston, where he lives: Q: Does Julius prefer not to have the franchise tag on him? Obviously, in a best-case scenario, we would not want to be franchised. But having said that, we understand that the team has its own ..."