What would you give for Peppers?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by TexanJedi

I would give up the 15th pick but balk at anything much more. I wonder if the Texans would do that since Bush wants to blitz more. Having a strong pass rush with the front four -Mario, Peppers, Robinson, Okoye - we would be better served playing a Tennessee style defense rather than the coming presumed Arizona style. Since Denver is supposedly switching to a 3-4 defense, I might rather trade a 3rd or 4th for Elvis Dumervil were he available.

Why would you trade for a guy who is about to be a free agent? (Peppers)Why would you give the 15th pick for Peppers who is going to command a ton of money, then you have to re-sign Mario to even more money when his deal is up. You cannot tie up two mega ends to huge contracts.

Use the 15th pick on your own DE and slot him with that money.

[nero THE zero]

I wouldn't give up any picks for him. If he were to hit free agency I would offer him a contract, but that would be contingent on our ability to afford it after re-signing Dunta. In other words, I probably wouldn't bother with him.

[cland]

Hmm I'm surprised on some of the glass-half-empties out there. I realize that the odds of this signing occurring are low...but the benefit of adding Peppers to this roster is undeniably huge.

Need at the position? Huge check mark.
Injury Concern? Nope.
Proven pro-bowler? Check, 4 times.
Young enough? Slightly after prime, but a 5 year contract gets us. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.
Cap space? Yep...even after some re-signings.

Consider the impact that Peppers can have on how our DL is able to line up and react to opposing offenses. Mario and Peppers can swap sides of the line at will throughout the game. Play a team with a weak side of the line and the DL can line up as: Peppers Mario Okoye Cochran/Bulman or vice versa. This line-up can be shifted to after the offensive play has been called.

In terms of DL investment, it's a little bit of a misnomer to say that we've already invested there. Results get paid for, the fact that we've had a few flops on the line doesn't mean we can just stop trying to fix it.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by cland

Cap space? Yep...even after some re-signings.

Don't be so certain. We have some cap room, but do we have enough room after re-signing Dunta, DeMeco, Daniels, Walter, any of our other desired RFA/UFA, role players (RB depth, LB depth, secondary depth,) the rookie pool, and some pocket change for '09 season signings to sign the "highest paid defensive player in the league"?

If so, and we don't have to give up draft picks, sign me up. But, I don't think that's the case.

[TexanJedi]

Originally Posted by Mike

Why would you trade for a guy who is about to be a free agent? (Peppers)Why would you give the 15th pick for Peppers who is going to command a ton of money, then you have to re-sign Mario to even more money when his deal is up. You cannot tie up two mega ends to huge contracts.

Use the 15th pick on your own DE and slot him with that money.

I was presuming that Carolina would franchise him in which case they would trade him. I was also presuming that the Texans would have considered and could absorb the cap ramifications of Peppers signing a new deal, it's possible they can't and in that case a trade would not happen. If you can guarantee me that there will be a DE in the draft that can produce in the neighborhood of Peppers (it's too much to expect any rookie to assume all-Pro status) then yes it would be a better allocation of recources.

Don't you just love the offseason?