October 1, 2007
Peppers Should Not Be Given A Blank Check
by Andy Little
During training camp, a reporter asked Mike Rucker about the physical skills of Julius Peppers. He said, “When it really hits you is when you see him jump on the scale and he’s anywhere from 280 to 290 or 295 and you see what he’s doing you would think he’s 265 or 270. That’s when you step back and say, ’wow’, at the stuff that he’s doing.”
He was then asked, “If Dwight Freeney is worth 12 million per year what’s (Peppers) worth?” Rucker replied, “You know what, the sky’s the limit, he’s very important to us and time will tell.”
Peppers is the most dominating defensive player the Panthers have had up to this point in their existance. He is under contract to the team through this season and next and will be 29 when his contract is up. Quite often the largest contract of a player’s career is the second one they sign. Pepper’s rookie contract was seven years because he was the #2 overall selection. Most rookie contracts are three to five years.
When the front office is considering his next contract, it will be a large amount. Anyone who is writing a $100+ million contract should at least ask questions before spending that amount of money.
How many years will this contract have to be to spread out the large signing bonus? Have we gotten the best seven years out of him physically? At what age will his tremendous physical skills deteriorate? What holes does the team have that need to be filled? What else could a team get for over $100 million on the free agent market?
At the end of the day Peppers will still be in Carolina with a hefty contract. But whoever signs it should ask some questions before signing it. His contract will not be standard and will require a lot of thought.
Game Grades – Bucs at Panthers
October 1, 2007
The window is officially closed.
Which window you ask? Why, its the window that a team is lucky to get open that allows them to be a Superbowl contender. It has been open for the Panthers since 2003, but rarely does it stay open forever. Currently it is closed and locked shut, for this season at least. This Carolina Panthers squad is not deserving of the Superbowl, or even a wild card.
Offense(ive)
Once again Monte Kiffin shows what a real honest to goodness defensive coordinator can do for a team. With almost no names on his defense anyone outside of Tampa Bay would recognize, Kiffin was able to completely dismantle the entire Panthers offense. David Carr was unable to get his feet planted and get comfortable all day long. Rushing only four or sometimes three players, Tampa was able to pressure Carr on every snap. Pathetic.
This entire game can be boiled down to the trenches. The offensive line was abused and exploited. They should be embarrassed.
Offensive Grade: F
Defense(less)
It again is painfully obvious that most of this squad once again are the walking dead. Go through the motions, do just enough to earn a pay check. They don’t deserve another word written about them.
Defensive Grade: F
Special Teams
Jason Baker is the team MVP. However, there is still no hint of a return game.
Special Teams Grade: C-
Coaching
The only thing I can figure is that Mike Trgovac is a part of a coaches union for the untalented and incompetent. I am not exactly sure how he has managed to keep his job these years. And to that effect, John Fox as well for putting loyalty before performance and winning.
Coaching Grade: F-
Sorry fans, the window is closed. At least we have six more tailgates to look forward too.
