The Coordinator
Cheesehead
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2009
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Here's an interesting read
Diner Morning News
FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:
9 February 2009
QUOTE: “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” ~ Epictetus
FROM PAT YASINSKAS OF ESPN.COM … For those who were hoping Julius Peppers would have a sudden change of heart about his desire to leave the Carolina Panthers, forget about it. In a sideline interview during the second quarter of the Pro Bowl, Peppers told NBC’s Tiki Barber he wants out. Peppers wasn’t nearly as eloquent as his agent, Carl Carey, who came out several weeks ago and said the defensive end wants to go to another team. “I just feel it’s time to move on,” Peppers said. When Barber specifically asked what it would take for Peppers to stay with the Panthers, Peppers was suddenly more elusive than he’s been in recent years. He basically dodged the question and that means Peppers was saying, “That’s not going to happen.” Peppers, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month, also confirmed reports that he wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers still could place the franchise tag on Peppers. But that would cost them $17 million in cap space and they likely would be forced to trade Peppers if he is franchised.
Have you ever heard of someone making $17 million and being unhappy? Of course not, so all this unhappy talk is just that — talk. George Young, the former GM of the New York Giants, used to say, “Players play, coaches coach and scouts scout.” That little saying applies to Mr. Peppers. He’s a football player, and he’s going to play football next season. Regardless of which team he plays for, there will always be some inherent problems. Bill Walsh use to tell me that the search for the perfect player never ends and the search for the perfect team never ends.
The Panthers are in a bad spot right now because they also need Jordan Gross, who might be the hottest player on the free agent market. Very rarely does a young left tackle make it to the market without requiring compensation, and if the Panthers allow Gross to become free, he will be the cream of the free-agent crop. How did the Panthers get into this little mess? You never want to have two top players become free agents at the same time, so why didn’t they sign him before the season? Here’s why: They moved Gross to left tackle and weren’t sure he could play there. The pay scale for a left tackle is vastly higher than it is for a right tackle. Since the Panthers could not be certain Gross could play left tackle, they couldn’t pay him accordingly. Gross’ agent is always going to focus on left tackle wages since it’s the higher market. The Panthers were not willing to pay left tackle wages on speculation, and that’s how they got here. They were careful with their commitment of dollars, and at times that isn’t the best course of action.
Now, back to Peppers. The Panthers cannot let him go, and they must franchise him to trade him if they don’t want to pay the going rate. They must protect their asset. They have a better chance to recruit and match a deal for Gross than they do for Peppers. Where can Peppers go? Well, he’ll have many options, with the first being the Packers. The Bucs will also be players since they’re changing their scheme and will require more size and power up front. The Chiefs, with all their cap room, will be bidders and might be the perfect team to utilize the skill sets of Peppers. However, the Panthers, like the Patriots with Cassel, have to be in control of Peppers’ destination and trade him on their terms, not Peppers’.
The Panthers are lucky they don’t have a first-round draft pick this year. With all the money they’re going to spend on Peppers and Gross, they would not be able to handle the cost of a first-round pick, even a low one.
Diner Morning News
FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:
9 February 2009
QUOTE: “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” ~ Epictetus
FROM PAT YASINSKAS OF ESPN.COM … For those who were hoping Julius Peppers would have a sudden change of heart about his desire to leave the Carolina Panthers, forget about it. In a sideline interview during the second quarter of the Pro Bowl, Peppers told NBC’s Tiki Barber he wants out. Peppers wasn’t nearly as eloquent as his agent, Carl Carey, who came out several weeks ago and said the defensive end wants to go to another team. “I just feel it’s time to move on,” Peppers said. When Barber specifically asked what it would take for Peppers to stay with the Panthers, Peppers was suddenly more elusive than he’s been in recent years. He basically dodged the question and that means Peppers was saying, “That’s not going to happen.” Peppers, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month, also confirmed reports that he wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers still could place the franchise tag on Peppers. But that would cost them $17 million in cap space and they likely would be forced to trade Peppers if he is franchised.
Have you ever heard of someone making $17 million and being unhappy? Of course not, so all this unhappy talk is just that — talk. George Young, the former GM of the New York Giants, used to say, “Players play, coaches coach and scouts scout.” That little saying applies to Mr. Peppers. He’s a football player, and he’s going to play football next season. Regardless of which team he plays for, there will always be some inherent problems. Bill Walsh use to tell me that the search for the perfect player never ends and the search for the perfect team never ends.
The Panthers are in a bad spot right now because they also need Jordan Gross, who might be the hottest player on the free agent market. Very rarely does a young left tackle make it to the market without requiring compensation, and if the Panthers allow Gross to become free, he will be the cream of the free-agent crop. How did the Panthers get into this little mess? You never want to have two top players become free agents at the same time, so why didn’t they sign him before the season? Here’s why: They moved Gross to left tackle and weren’t sure he could play there. The pay scale for a left tackle is vastly higher than it is for a right tackle. Since the Panthers could not be certain Gross could play left tackle, they couldn’t pay him accordingly. Gross’ agent is always going to focus on left tackle wages since it’s the higher market. The Panthers were not willing to pay left tackle wages on speculation, and that’s how they got here. They were careful with their commitment of dollars, and at times that isn’t the best course of action.
Now, back to Peppers. The Panthers cannot let him go, and they must franchise him to trade him if they don’t want to pay the going rate. They must protect their asset. They have a better chance to recruit and match a deal for Gross than they do for Peppers. Where can Peppers go? Well, he’ll have many options, with the first being the Packers. The Bucs will also be players since they’re changing their scheme and will require more size and power up front. The Chiefs, with all their cap room, will be bidders and might be the perfect team to utilize the skill sets of Peppers. However, the Panthers, like the Patriots with Cassel, have to be in control of Peppers’ destination and trade him on their terms, not Peppers’.
The Panthers are lucky they don’t have a first-round draft pick this year. With all the money they’re going to spend on Peppers and Gross, they would not be able to handle the cost of a first-round pick, even a low one.
