What would you give for Peppers?

[TexanJedi]

According to Adam Shefter, Carolina has somewhere around $10 million in cap space but the franchise number for a defensive end is $17 million. Can they afford to franchise him with making major cuts, and John Fox already said Delhomme would be back as their starting QB.

[sinnister]

From what I read, Peppers wants to play in a 3-4. He thinks he can excel in that defense.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by sinnister

From what I read, Peppers wants to play in a 3-4. He thinks he can excel in that defense.

I think you have that backwards.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by mussop

I think you have that backwards.

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

Carey said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.

"He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense," Carey said. "He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities."

It's like people that think Mario is an ill fit for the 3-4 when it is to the contrary. Players like Peppers and Mario are ideal fits for the 3-4 DE; they're big, athletic ends who can play the run, tie up blockers, and rush the passer. They might not put up the sexy numbers they would in the 4-3, but it would be the best utilization of their skills.

[Nconroe]

It sounds like a payroll buster, but if you really thought this was your last, final piece to make playoffs-run to SB, one might try it. I personally wouldn't do it since figure JP only has a couple good years left, so maybe I'd offer that , if he's a FA, no trades or draft picks lost. Likely draft a DE and LB who can rush.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

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


It's like people that think Mario is an ill fit for the 3-4 when it is to the contrary. Players like Peppers and Mario are ideal fits for the 3-4 DE; they're big, athletic ends who can play the run, tie up blockers, and rush the passer. They might not put up the sexy numbers they would in the 4-3, but it would be the best utilization of their skills.

I seen that and was surprised.

[Fonz the Boss]

This should not even be mentioned. Peppers will not land here in Houston. If he does then I'll be extremely disappointed because we will likely lose draft picks or pay him a ridiculous contract. That will set the franchise back in salary cap finances as well as building through draft picks in the future.

[papabear]

I would love to see Peppers here. Him and Mario teamed up would be ridiculous. He's already turned down a contract that would make him the highest payed defensive player in the league. It would be fun, but what's going to happen in a couple of years when Mario needs a new deal? I don't want to lose any picks, but for a guy like Peppers who is still relatively young I could stand to lose a pick or two, depending on the package of course. I just worry about it from a salary cap standpoint. I'm sure we could make it work, but it could hurt us in being able to hold on to our young talent when they need a new contract.

He also seems to think he needs to go to a new system to reach his full potential. Apparently he's intrigued by the idea of playing in a 3-4 system.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

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


It's like people that think Mario is an ill fit for the 3-4 when it is to the contrary. Players like Peppers and Mario are ideal fits for the 3-4 DE; they're big, athletic ends who can play the run, tie up blockers, and rush the passer. They might not put up the sexy numbers they would in the 4-3, but it would be the best utilization of their skills.

It's always been my understanding that the star pass rushers, the edge-rushers supreme in the 3-4 are the OLBs and the DEs in that scheme
function more to tie up interferance ? Fact is I can't think of a single 3-4 in the NFL where the DEs lead their team in sacks ?
There's no doubt that Mario & Peppers would be outstanding 3-4 DEs because of their impressive size and strength, but casting them in a supporting role would be a waste of resources & talent considering they were the #1 & #2 overall picks, respectively, in their Drafts.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

It's always been my understanding that the star pass rushers, the edge-rushers supreme in the 3-4 are the OLBs and the DEs in that scheme
function more to tie up interferance ? Fact is I can't think of a single 3-4 in the NFL where the DEs lead their team in sacks ?
There's no doubt that Mario & Peppers would be outstanding 3-4 DEs because of their impressive size and strength, but casting them in a supporting role would be a waste of resources & talent considering they were the #1 & #2 overall picks, respectively, in their Drafts.

I agree. I think they would both be very good in a 3-4 DE role....with the nod going to Mario in that role. I think it would be a mistake for us to put Mario as a 3-4 end because we would be taking one of the few playmakers we have and putting in a role that design, doesn't have many opportunities to make plays.

Peppers want to play OLB in a 3-4...and some people who thought we could make the change to a 3-4 here wanted Mario in that same role. I'm sure they could be devastating in the role from a pass rush perspective. I don't think I want Mario to have to drop into coverage, and I'm not sure it is wise for a player like Peppers to want to make that big of a change this late in his career. Not much would change from a pass rushing perspective, but everything else would be brand new.

[Bigtinylittle]

I suspect that Peppers saying he would like to go to a 3/4 team is more about increasing his price than anything else. If he said he wanted to stay in a 4/3 system he would automatically eliminate a lot of bidders. I rarely pay attention to what players say when they are angling for a new contract with lots of guaranteed money. I think their natural inclination is to mislead. In fact I have often wondered whether Ahman Green knew he was more seriously injured when he came to the Texans than he was letting on. I suspect he may have pulled a fast one.

In general, I would not be interested in signing a 29 year old superstar to a 4 or 5 year contract with a huge amount of guaranteed money. Especially if you have to give up something to get him. I think the odds are against getting full value when you sign a superstar that old. You are probably going to eventually have to eat a lot of dead money. If you could just cut a guy after three years with no penalty, it would be a much more attractive thing. But as we all know, the NFL doesn't work that way.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by TexanJedi

John Fox already said Delhomme would be back as their starting QB.

That's too bad. I would have offered them Matt Schaub straight up for Peppers.