San Jose Bills Fan Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hey Fellas, this is fresh from Pro Football Talk at 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning: "At a time when the Carolina Panthers would be required to tender a $17 million one-year salary to defensive end Julius Peppers in order to keep his rights via the franchise tag, Peppers is making it known that he doesn’t want to remain with the team. “The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement e-mailed by his agent to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, and possibly others. “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field. “I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I’ve spent with the team.” “Julius is firm in his decision that he needs a change,” agent Carl Carey said, per Mortensen. “He feels that he can thrive in another system. While he has been selected to four Pro Bowls and designated as an All-Pro during his career, he feels that he has yet to develop to his full potential. This is the case of a great player who seeks to become an elite one.” Peppers is a North Carolina native, and he played college football at the University of North Carolina. So by turning his back on the Panthers, he’s essentially turning his back on his home state." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Peppers sees that time could be running out, and while the Panthers played very good this year, they still seem to keep coming up short on getting that Super Bowl championship. Peppers will get a giant contract and could become a great addition to a playoff contender. Yet I would'nt get my hopes up on the Bills signing him nor do I think that Peppers would want to to play for the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hey Fellas, this is fresh from Pro Football Talk at 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning: "At a time when the Carolina Panthers would be required to tender a $17 million one-year salary to defensive end Julius Peppers in order to keep his rights via the franchise tag, Peppers is making it known that he doesn’t want to remain with the team. “The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement e-mailed by his agent to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, and possibly others. “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field. “I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I’ve spent with the team.” “Julius is firm in his decision that he needs a change,” agent Carl Carey said, per Mortensen. “He feels that he can thrive in another system. While he has been selected to four Pro Bowls and designated as an All-Pro during his career, he feels that he has yet to develop to his full potential. This is the case of a great player who seeks to become an elite one.” Peppers is a North Carolina native, and he played college football at the University of North Carolina. So by turning his back on the Panthers, he’s essentially turning his back on his home state." It's couched in PR-speak, so you probably can't believe most of it. But if even a fraction is true, can you see Peppers saying to himself "Let's see, where can I go from one of the top teams in football to further develop myself from greatness to elite status. Wait, I know, I'll go to Buffalo." I just can't see that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Anderson's Lunch Pail Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 He'll play anywhere, money talks. I have been thinking for a while that he would be just the kind of big name splash pickup. If the Bills were seriously going to dump a ridiculous contract on someone (remember, PR issues), you couldn't do much better than Peppers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCCEO Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 If we dump a ludicrous contract on a player while retaining Jauron as coach it might only serve to further infuriate me. Why pay $10 million a year for a top tier player when for as much or less we could potentially acquire an elite coach. Not that I won't rejoice if we sign Peppers or some other elite player. I most certainly will. Personally I don't understand the justification for doing so. I think if we throw money around it'll be on more than one individual. However if we do something stupid like pay Greer 5mil annually I will throw up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 It's couched in PR-speak, so you probably can't believe most of it. But if even a fraction is true, can you see Peppers saying to himself "Let's see, where can I go from one of the top teams in football to further develop myself from greatness to elite status. Wait, I know, I'll go to Buffalo." I just can't see that happening. Cowboys, Washington, Jets, Giants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_wag Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 he's a bit foolish if he gets franchised again this year he'll pocket a cool 18M and the big signing bonus will still be waiting on the other side of that deal..........walter jones did it right, collecting the big F-tag number 3 years in a row before cashing in with a big signing bonus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-8 Forever? Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 He'll play anywhere, money talks. I have been thinking for a while that he would be just the kind of big name splash pickup. If the Bills were seriously going to dump a ridiculous contract on someone (remember, PR issues), you couldn't do much better than Peppers. you are smoking crack. Even if cheapo Ralph breaks the bank for Peppers, several teams will match whatever outrageous number that is and then the decision comes down to "do I really want to be in Buffalo f'ing New York for the rest of my career with a lame duck coaching staff, a 2nd tier organization and a near death owner?" ahhhh, nope. Lets stop fooling ourselves. Please. this isn't a fantasy football draft. Go get another Stroud or Mitchell and thank goodness they were willing to actually come to the place.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generaLee83 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 you are smoking crack. Even if cheapo Ralph breaks the bank for Peppers, several teams will match whatever outrageous number that is and then the decision comes down to "do I really want to be in Buffalo f'ing New York for the rest of my career with a lame duck coaching staff, a 2nd tier organization and a near death owner?" ahhhh, nope. Lets stop fooling ourselves. Please. this isn't a fantasy football draft. Go get another Stroud or Mitchell and thank goodness they were willing to actually come to the place.... Most realistic post of this thread. There is no way that the Bills sign any top tier free agents this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hey Fellas, this is fresh from Pro Football Talk at 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning: "At a time when the Carolina Panthers would be required to tender a $17 million one-year salary to defensive end Julius Peppers in order to keep his rights via the franchise tag, Peppers is making it known that he doesn’t want to remain with the team. “The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement e-mailed by his agent to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, and possibly others. “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field. “I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I’ve spent with the team.” “Julius is firm in his decision that he needs a change,” agent Carl Carey said, per Mortensen. “He feels that he can thrive in another system. While he has been selected to four Pro Bowls and designated as an All-Pro during his career, he feels that he has yet to develop to his full potential. This is the case of a great player who seeks to become an elite one.” Peppers is a North Carolina native, and he played college football at the University of North Carolina. So by turning his back on the Panthers, he’s essentially turning his back on his home state." I have no idea what Peppers means or wants. He wants to go someplace where he can develop to his full potential, yet in Carolina he's been a perennial pro-bowler on one of the best defenses in the league? I think this is just posturing to avoid the tag and get a long-term deal, most likely from Carolina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 The money is always greener on the other side of the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hey Fellas, this is fresh from Pro Football Talk at 12:15 a.m. Saturday morning: "At a time when the Carolina Panthers would be required to tender a $17 million one-year salary to defensive end Julius Peppers in order to keep his rights via the franchise tag, Peppers is making it known that he doesn’t want to remain with the team. “The front office has been informed of my desire to explore opportunities with other NFL teams following the expiration of my contract next month,” Peppers said in a statement e-mailed by his agent to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, and possibly others. “At this point in my NFL career, I am seeking new challenges that will allow me to grow, develop and reach my personal potential on the football field. “I strongly feel that making a move at this time is in my best interest. I appreciate the entire Panthers organization and am thankful for the seven seasons I’ve spent with the team.” “Julius is firm in his decision that he needs a change,” agent Carl Carey said, per Mortensen. “He feels that he can thrive in another system. While he has been selected to four Pro Bowls and designated as an All-Pro during his career, he feels that he has yet to develop to his full potential. This is the case of a great player who seeks to become an elite one.” Peppers is a North Carolina native, and he played college football at the University of North Carolina. So by turning his back on the Panthers, he’s essentially turning his back on his home state." RALPH PLEASE GET THIS DONE SOMEHOW!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Cold Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I live in the Carolina's and have seen him play and he is no Bruce Smith, takes plays off etc, there is no way this team can afford a guy like that, and secondly as other posters have noted, I can not see any top free agent even considering this team. I look at Tony Gonzalez and I still can not understand why he did not want to come to Buffalo...at that time they were 4-0 or 5-1, players talk and there must be a reason why he held firm on not going to the Bills, and unfortunately I think that is going to be a sign of things to come. I also think the Bills need only to look at the hated Dolphins and the way they did things...through the draft, trade Peters and get 1 or 2 draft picks + a starter, of course the stellar personelle dept needs to hit on those draft picks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Yeah, bottom line I also believe that he wants a long term contract and the security it brings. I agree with Thurman#1 and JR in A2, this is mostly posturing for his last big contract, likely with Carolina. Disagree with D Wag, Walter Jones did not do it right. He took a huge risk but it ended up working out because he didn't get injured. Jones was tagged 3 years in a row and had he gotten injured in any of those years he wouldn't have the long term contact he has now. This is the very reason players don't want to get franchised. They are only guaranteed of getting the big money for one year. With the multi-year contract, even though the annual salary is not guaranteed, they get a huge signing bonus which is. Lots of players try to make a gentleman's agreement with the team where they'll play only one year franchised and the team will not franchise them the next year. Nevertheless, it is sort of a win-win situation for him. Even if he gets the $17 million for one year and never plays another down in his life. One place he assuredly won't go is Washington. They recently laid off 20 employees and Vinnie Ceratto has stated that they will not be a player in free agency. Many years of overspending on free agents (this goes back to Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith) culminating with the Jason Taylor signing last year have left them with no cap room and a bad balance sheet. He also won't be going to the Jets. They are projected to be over the cap in 2009 and threw stupid money at Favre, Faneca, Woody, Pace, Jenkins and others with terrible results. I don't see him going to the Giants either. They have Osi coming back next year and were effective rushing the quarterback even without him and without Strahan who retired. They're already a great pass rushing team and they are usually not a player in free agency. I don't know where he would go but I would say he's about 50/50 to leave Carolina. And 8and8Forever is right. I often post my feelings that players/coaches will come to Buffalo, but only if the Bills' offer is clearly the best on the table. If it's a toss-up, we lose. Talented people will come here if we happen to outbid other teams but they look at the quality of the owner, the team, the weather, endorsement potential, chances of success, etc. That said, the Bills have 53,000 pissed off season ticket holders and millions of pissed off fans who can't believe we didn't fire the coach. The Bills are celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2009 so whether or not they succeed, I believe the Bills feel that they have to try to make a big marketing/PR splash in terms of player talent this offseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I look at Tony Gonzalez and I still can not understand why he did not want to come to Buffalo...at that time they were 4-0 or 5-1, players talk and there must be a reason why he held firm on not going to the Bills, and unfortunately I think that is going to be a sign of things to come. Well, if you were in his shoes, what chances do you think there would be that the Bills would commit a nice new contract to you versus letting you play it out and giving you a warm handshake (or just dumping you before they had to pay out the next bonus)? How many playoff victories have the Bills had this decade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 yea, peppers this past season was not the force he was a few years back...where was he in the zona game? they weren't even double teaming him and he never got to warner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornerville Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Ralph's Response To Getting Peppers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Ralph's Response To Getting Peppers Ah, some good humor to spice up the board. Nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marauderswr80 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 If the money is right, he will ask for a pen to sing the dotted line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovemtooelay Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I hate to say it but peppers is gonna end up a giant or redskin or somewhere that plays a 4-3, but maybe while everyone is going crazy breaking the bank for him the Bills can get something done with Suggs. Who am I kidding well end with old a$$ bertrand Berry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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