Patriots ready to get Peppers, skull-**** league
 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

Jesus, Peppers AND Adalius Thomas rushing from the outside.


<script src="http://static.nfl.com/static/site/scripts/news/comments.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript">nfl.news.SetArticleTime($('article-time'));</script>
Patriots appear primed to make a deal with Panthers for Peppers

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td align="left">http://static.nfl.com/static/content...ucci_small.JPG</td><td width="10"> </td><td nowrap="true">By Vic Carucci | NFL.com
Senior Columnist
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<script> (function() { /* define adPath */ var adPath = "nfl.news/story/without-video-with-comments;s1=story;s2=without-video-with-comments;slot=inpage;url=id_00d5d80f48fa8;nfl=ad;!category=;kw=;team=ne;team=kc;team=car;conf=afc;co nf=nfc;dvsn=ace;dvsn=acw;dvsn=ncs;plyr=leigh_bodden;plyr=michael_vrabel;plyr=darrell_robertson;tile= 10;test=;sz=640x360;ord=" + adRandom + "?"; new nfl.widgets.VideoPlayer({ contentId: "09000d5d80eae4f2", related: "home", adSetting: "1", size: "large", dartURL: "http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/"+ adPath, uniqid: "vid1" }); })(); </script><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://static.nfl.com/static/site/flash/video/large-video-player.swf" style="" id="vid1swf" name="vid1swf" bgcolor="#000000" quality="true" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="opaque" flashvars="uniqid=vid1swf&contentId=09000d5d80eae4f2&related=home&adSetting=1&dartURL=http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/nfl.news/story/without-video-with-comments;s1=story;s2=without-video-with-comments;slot=inpage;url=id_00d5d80f48fa8;nfl=ad;!category=;kw=;team=ne;team=kc;team=car;conf=afc;co nf=nfc;dvsn=ace;dvsn=acw;dvsn=ncs;plyr=leigh_bodden;plyr=michael_vrabel;plyr=darrell_robertson;tile= 10;test=;sz=640x360;ord=220.56278041381972?" height="346" width="615">

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 one-year contract worth $16.68 million, would be converted to outside linebacker in New England's 3-4 defense.

The Patriots already were looking ahead to the possibility of acquiring Peppers when they shipped Cassel and Vrabel to Kansas City, NFL sources say, because they wanted to clear the salary-cap space necessary to sign Peppers to a new contract that would put him among the higher-paid defensive players in the league. After signing Cassel to a one-year, franchise-tag tender contract worth $14.65 million, New England had nearly $30 million in cap money devoted to two quarterbacks (including $14.62 million for Tom Brady).

Once the Patriots were convinced that Brady would be fully recovered from the season-ending knee injury he suffered last year, they were comfortable with trading his replacement to the Chiefs and putting the wheels in motion to bolster a defense that has gotten particularly old at linebacker. Vrabel and fellow linebacker Tedy Bruschi are well into the twilight of their respective careers.

NFL sources say the Panthers would welcome the chance to unload Peppers for a second-round draft pick, even though it would be well below his market value, because it would be less costly than signing a first-rounder. The Panthers already have made some belt-tightening financial moves within their front office.

This, in part, could help answer the lingering question of why the Patriots were willing to take only a second-round pick for Cassel and Vrabel rather than possibly go for a higher choice as part of a three-way deal involving the Denver Broncos, who were ready to give up Jay Cutler for Cassel. Without an additional second-round pick, the Patriots might not be able to pursue Peppers.

League sources also point out that the Panthers don't have a first-round choice after trading it to the Philadelphia Eagles and aren't scheduled to draft until 59th overall (near the bottom of the second round). The 34th spot would give Carolina the second pick of the second round and a chance to land a player with a first-round rating who was pushed down to that spot for whatever reason.

Also, according to NFL sources, there is a third phase to the Patriots' offseason strategy. They would like to further beef up their linebacking corps by adding an inside linebacker in the draft. They are known to believe that USC's Rey Maualuga would be a great fit for their scheme, especially when paired with Jerod Mayo, their 2008 first-round pick who was the NFL's top defensive rookie. However, some early projections suggest it might be a long shot for Maualuga to be available for the Patriots with the 23rd overall pick.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is known for making excellent decisions when it comes to acquiring players, but at least one NFL player-personnel evaluator questions whether Peppers would be a good fit in New England.
"This is a guy who totally went on strike two years ago because he wasn't happy with his contract," said the player personnel source, who requested anonymity. "He's also very long (in the torso), which is not ideal for a 3-4 outside linebacker. And he can't drop into coverage. He's very stiff.
"But one of the things (the Patriots) are looking at is the fact that, in passing situations, they can have Peppers up front with (Richard) Seymour and (Jarvis) Green. That makes it easier for them to take (nose tackle Vince) Wilfork out of the game in (passing situations) and just play him on running downs."

Begs the question:

Who would you rather the Chiefs have?

Cassell, Curry and Vrabel

or

Stafford and Peppers

Great trade for both the Chiefs and Pats. Everyone had to know Belichek wouldn't allow himself to get screwed over. His good buddy gets his QB and Belichek gets to upgrade his pass rush.

We need to get him. Offer up the first and TG.

Boy that one is real hard.

I have to admit the thread title made me laugh.

How much gas does Peppers have left in the tank and is he the type to shift into coast-mode once he gets his last big contract?

Are they really gonna trade Peppers for only a 2nd-rounder?

Seems low.

Peppers wouldn't come to KC.

Stafford and Sintim

Cassel, Brown, and Vrabel

Patriots fans are trying to figure out how we fit him under the cap. This might be the Panthers trying to stir the trade value pot -- get teams scared that Peppers is going to the Pats for a high 2 to get a 1 out of somebody.

We have trouble seeing how it fits under the cap. Also, he's not an ideal size for 3-4 OLB. Not that I wouldn't love to see them try it, but it's another factor.

:shrug: Whatever, it's all good. :D

He wouldn't have a choice.

This is a trade, not a signing.

Pretty good answer.

You can fit anything under the cap if you want. The Redskins had 5 million before they signed Haynesworth and Hall...

So you think it's a good idea for a team to trade for a player under the franchise tag who won't resign for a long term deal?

You'd pay him over $16MM this year, and then next year be stuck franchising him again at 110%...

It's not viable.

Why does nobody know what "begging the question" means anymore?

This!

I'd rather have Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, and Aaron Curry with the #3. Then we ride Thigpen all the way to the Super Bowl!

Meaning I would rather have Allen than Albert. Plenty of serviceable OTs out there.

YESSSSSSSSSSS

It's good to be the king.

The Pats have not won a Super Bowl since the 2004 season and yet somehow, they are still the envy of everyone.

Pretty obvious they are loading up for a run this offseason. Galloway could be a very nice third WR.

This should be quoted every time a cap related question arises.

Well, yeah, because we were in another AFCC, and lost a SB by the thinnest of margins (Tyree headcatch. ugh).

And even with our MVP QB down for the count not ten minutes into the season, we went 11-5 last year.

Not like we've been sucking since '04...

Even so, ask the average fan on the street if they would prefer their team to be like the Pats or the Steelers, who have won two Super Bowls in four years.

Most of them will say Patriots.

I don't think Peppers would agree to play for a non-contender.

I didn't say it was a good idea, only that JP has no say in the matter.

You're begging the question - "did anybody ever know what it means?" ;)

I say bump Peppers, I don't think he's worth the price

Yeah, he had a list of four teams, and only one team was in the AFC, and all four teams were supposedly contenders, so we can draw our own conclusions as to whether the Chiefs were on that list...

This could be a situation (ala Randy Moss) where a veteran gets new life by getting into a new situation, a new scheme, a new challenge. I think this makes the Patriots the instant favorite to win the SB.

As they say, flame away.

ROFL



http://www.bozzysworld.com/images/Pepto-Bismol.jpghttp://www.jimsalmon.com/pix/AlkaSeltzerFizz.jpg
http://rummage.files.wordpress.com/2.../dramamine.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0C7R5zWimZ...Bto%2BHead.jpg

You have to throw in the part of destroying the QB situation in Denver to the Cassel, Curry and Vrabel as well.

Plus, I've never been a fan of Stafford and Peppers wouldn't have come to KC.

Wasn't there a thread here a while ago and nobody wanted JP because he wouldn't try to perform?

The average fan is a moron.

Peppers wouldn't come here and Detroit is still probably going to take Stafford, so it's a fantasy scenario.

May they become the NY Yankess of the NFL. All the talent and no more Super Bowl Titles!!!!! :banghead:

PEPPERS

Latest rumors are that we are NOT getting Peppers.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network said he was "99.9%" sure that we wouldn't get him.

Meanwhile, none of us can figure out how the cap situation would work. I think most of us continue to think that Jason Taylor is the "better fit" capwise, etc.

But it's nice to dream, and who knows -- BB may pull it off somehow yet.

What Smith just said on ESPN is that BB won't pay him.....And that's pretty much it. If he takes a paycut it'll prolly get done. I think that is more likely than anyone thinks.

What did Taylor do in Washington last year? I.....forgot to care.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl


Patriots | Peppers not on board for 2009
Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:29:58 -0700 Christopher Price, of WEEI.com, reports Carolina Panthers DL Julius Peppers will not be traded to the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter, of NFL Network.

Hmm... maybe CAR would like a young Cutler to take over for 34 year old Delhomme... they can send him and Peppers to Denver for Cutler and a R3. Or not...

What did Taylor do in Washington? Not much I don't think. But that doesn't much matter, he dominated for Saban in a similar system in 2007. He was Defensive POY. He's old, but he'd work well for us I think.

I don't know if the Pats will take the risk with Peppers. When he wasn't happy about his contract with CArolina, he was disinterested and sucked.

I know Taylor used to be good, but the question has to be if he is slowing down dramatically.
Posted via Mobile Device