Target Free Agents Updates

[texaschief]

Per PFT:

Peppers and Gross

With their season ending earlier than some expected, the Carolina Panthers will now have to turn their attention toward retaining two key players for 2009 and beyond. Offensive tackle Jordan Gross and defensive end Julius Peppers are both free agents and it may be difficult for the team to fit both under their salary cap without serious pruning elsewhere on the roster.

The Panthers are $10 million under the cap for 2009, which wouldn’t be enough to sign both men. A franchise tender to Peppers would cost in the neighborhood of $17 million and a long-term deal would average around $13 million, according to a report from the Charlotte Observer. The same report indicates that the team and Peppers’s agent Carl Carey are negotiating a deal. When asked about his desire to stay with the Panthers after last night’s game, Peppers said he wanted to make the “best decision for myself and for the Panthers’ organization.”

One way the Panthers could clear cap space would be cutting ties with Jake Delhomme, a move that probably became more likely after his six turnovers against the Cardinals. Adam Schefter reports that they’d save $6.325 million if they released the quarterback, a number that may prove too big to pass up.

UPDATE: As a reader points out, the franchise number for defensive ends quoted by the Observer seems out of whack. It was $8.879 million when Terrell Suggs was trying to be designated a defensive end last season. Peppers’ $14,137,500 was the highest cap figure for defensive ends in 2008, according to USA Today, which makes $17 million seem high indeed.

SECOND UPDATE: Actually, the $17 million isn’t out of whack. The franchise tender is the average of the top five cap figures or 120% of his previous cap figure, whichever is more. Peppers, at $14 million-plus is in the latter category.

[slimdagreat]

Peppers is going to bolt, I'm sure of it.

Carolina is going to center all of their efforts around keeping Gross, so he isn't going anywhere.

If we bring in the right coaching staff and get Hunt to let go of the checkbook, we could possibly lure Peppers in, but it would be some type of max deal.

[texaschief]

Per PFT:

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.

[texaschief]

Per PFT:

As linebacker Jonathan Vilma prepares to become a free agent next month, barring a contract extension that would require the Saints to send their first-round pick to the Giants for tight end Jeremy Shockey because the Saints’ second-round pick would go to the Jets, staying out of the backseat of a police cruiser usually is a good idea.

Unfortunately for Vilma, he won’t have that specific feather in his cap.

According to FOX 8 in New Orleans, Vilma has been arrested in Miami for reckless driving and resisting arrest.

The police report states that Vilma was weaving through traffic and nearly hit two pedestrians. When he was pulled over, Vilma refused to get out of his Range Rover.

When he finally emerged from the car, he refused to put his hands behind his back and struggled with police until he finally was handcuffed.

Vilma was jailed on $6,500 bond.

[AkChief49]

so, is Vilma still in the discussion for F.A.? will he start off next season with a 4 game suspension?

[texaschief]

so, is Vilma still in the discussion for F.A.? will he start off next season with a 4 game suspension?

Its a first time offense. I don't know what exactly will happen. But even if he did start the season with a suspension, that shouldn't deter the Chiefs from signing him IMO.

[AkChief49]

Its a first time offense. I don't know what exactly will happen. But even if he did start the season with a suspension, that shouldn't deter the Chiefs from signing him IMO.

I hope so, I've always like this guy and would not mind him in Red!

[Coach]

Per PFT:

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.

He is not interested in the franchise tag which would net him $17 million next year. Can we really sign this guy?

[DMN]

He is not interested in the franchise tag which would net him $17 million next year. Can we really sign this guy?

Well we have the salary cap... but he says the reason he is leaving carolina is to "open up his full potential" and to do that he wants to be in a 3-4 not a 4-3. So unless we make some serious defensive changes I dont see it happening... but I would love to see him here.

[theaxeeffect4311]

Its a first time offense. I don't know what exactly will happen. But even if he did start the season with a suspension, that shouldn't deter the Chiefs from signing him IMO.

I think the Chiefs will go after him because he is young and still has a lot of speed for a linebacker. While I am upset that he got in trouble with the law, the Chiefs cannot pass up on a guy of his caliber, especially since it's only his first offense like you said.

[Pro_Angler]

I think the Chiefs will go after him because he is young and still has a lot of speed for a linebacker. While I am upset that he got in trouble with the law, the Chiefs cannot pass up on a guy of his caliber, especially since it's only his first offense like you said.

ummm we had that with a certain someone else and traded him...