There is still a slim chance that Peppers could be on the radar.
Posted: March 13, 2009
Two weeks into the 2009 free agency period, the first phase -- characterized by big contracts and rapid-fire signings -- has ended.
Through it all, not a single franchise player made a single visit to a new team.
Of the unprecedented 14 players who received the franchise designation and the multi-million-dollar one-year contract that goes along with it, those who haven't signed the tender offer or struck long-term deals remain free agents. Even if another team isn't interested in giving up the two first-round picks that would be owed to the player's current team under the rules of the franchise tag, nothing prevents another team from wooing a franchise player who hasn't inked a contract.
In theory, a team like the Packers could court a player like Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and work out a contract with which Peppers would be comfortable, then turn its attention to the team that currently holds Peppers' rights for the purposes of working out a trade entailing something less than two first-round picks.
Six of the franchise players are off the market. Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Falcons punter Michael Koenen, Patriots (Chiefs) quarterback Matt Cassel, Steelers tackle Max Starks, and Buccaneers receiver Antonio Bryant accepted their one-year contracts, and Giants running back Brandon Jacobs inked a long-term contract. Though they can be traded, the trade would have to be initiated by the players' current teams. No other team is permitted to make the first move by contacting the player or his agent.
But that leaves eight guys to whom any other team can wine, dine, or otherwise attempt to persuade to accept contractual terms. If the team can also work out an acceptable trade with the franchise holding his rights.
Peppers is the biggest name of that bunch. The others are Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, Bengals kicker Shayne Graham, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, Chargers running back Darren Sproles, Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill, and Titans tight end Bo Scaife.
There are several potential reasons for the lack of any interest to date in the available franchise players.
First, there's plenty of time. The primary focus over the first phase of free agency should be the retention of unrestricted free agents a team hopes to keep, and the pursuit of unrestricted free agents previously employed by other clubs. Last year, for example, the Vikings waited until April to ramp up their pursuit of Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen -- after signing players like Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams.
Second, with plenty of coaches on the hot seat, a team might be inclined to try to sign a player like Peppers after the draft, which would allow the team to keep its own first-round pick for 2009, and then to give up a first-rounder in 2010 and 2011 as compensation.
Third, as it relates to Peppers and Suggs, any interested team might have been scared away by the contract given by the Redskins to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, which includes $41 million in guaranteed money. Peppers undoubtedly wants a similar package, especially since high-end defensive ends traditionally have received bigger contracts than high-end defensive tackles.
Fourth, teams might decide to try to address the need that the franchise player would fill via the draft. Then, if they don't get a rookie they want, they can then make a run at trading 2010 or 2011 picks for the franchise player.
Regardless of the reason, nothing prevents any of the various teams from picking up the phone and commencing the process of recruiting any of the eight unsigned franchise players. They are all free agents; the only difference is that their current teams have a right of first refusal, and an entitlement to compensation if they choose not to match.
And the process can continue until July 15; after that, a trade is highly unlikely because the player can sign only a one-year deal.
So it shouldn't be assumed that the lack of interest in the available franchise players means that no interest will develop. For one of more of the players, it could be simply a matter of time before they become the center of attention.
