Former Panthers Players to aid defense?

[Ace_Aladdin]

Per David Newton @ ESPN

I would definitely take Munnerlyn back for the Nickel role but I rather have JPP for the DE.

What do y'all think?

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/24562/in-captain-munnerlyn-julius-peppers-panthers-can-look-to-past-to-plug-holes

Quote

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Could cornerback Captain Munnerlyn return to the Carolina Panthers? How about defensive end Julius Peppers?

The answer is possibly and possibly.

NFL free agency doesn’t begin until a month from today, but the speculation season is in full force. Defensive end Charles Johnson, likely to re-sign with the Panthers based on late-season remarks by coach Ron Rivera, may have fueled it with a picture he posted Tuesday on Instagram.

Yes, in the middle is Munnerlyn, a key cog for the Panthers during the 2013 season in which they went 12-4 and won the NFC South title.

Munnerlyn wanted to return in 2014, but salary cap-strapped general manager Dave Gettleman wasn’t able to compete with the three-year, $11,250,000 deal Minnesota offered. So Munnerlyn signed with the Vikings.

But Munnerlyn was particularly valuable as a nickelback, a spot the Panthers struggled to fill this past season. Leonard Johnson had his moments, but according to Pro Football Focus he missed 11 tackles in 10 games.

Munnerlyn, despite being small in stature (5-foot-9), was a sure tackler. He also returned five of seven interceptions for touchdowns -- at the time the highest percentage in NFL history for a player with at least five picks -- from 2009-13.

Unlike other players that moved on under Gettleman, Munnerlyn didn’t burn bridges and remains friends with several Carolina players -- including Johnson.

He’s only 28, so adding his experience to the mix with every-down corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley heading into their second year could be a huge benefit.

Gettleman also is expected to have more than $50 million in salary-cap space, so he doesn’t have to pinch pennies for a player that likely won’t demand a high price.

Johnson also remains friends with Peppers, 37, set to become a free agent after three seasons with Green Bay. The lure for his homecoming would be a chance to end his career where he began it in 2002 as the second overall pick of the draft.

He also could pad his lead as Carolina’s all-time sack leader. He had 81 from 2002-09, 13.5 more than Johnson’s 67.5.

Peppers, who grew up in North Carolina and played collegiately at the University of North Carolina, also might be willing to offer a home-state discount. His big paydays are behind him.

Peppers was close to returning to Carolina in 2014 after spending four seasons with the Chicago Bears, who offered him the opportunity to play standup linebacker in a 3-4 defense as he’s always wanted to try.

Whether or not Gettleman and Rivera believe Peppers can go back to being an effective 4-3 end at his age is the big question. The nine-time Pro Bowl selection this past season had 7.5 sacks, which would have ranked second for Carolina.

 

[Jangler]

If bringing back Cap and Pep on the cheap helps DG focus on the offence. I'm all for it.

[Ace_Aladdin]

12 minutes ago, Jangler said:

If bringing back Cap and Pep on the cheap helps DG focus on the offence. I'm all for it.

Address defense in FA & Offense in draft. I believe offense is older and takes majority of the CAP space, the solution is draft.

[hepcat]

I'd say bringing Captain back has a strong chance. Rivera mentioned him by name earlier in the season. 

Peppers, I think that depends on how much money he wants.

[Kakarot]

If I was Funchess, I'd have a problem with Mighty Mouse. Captain would def be an upgrade at nickel though, so it is what it is. I'm all for Peppers and CJ coming back, but we still need to add a young DE from the draft in the mix. Need to bring bac Super Mario as well.

[jrookie88]

All for Captain holding down that nickel slot again. Peppers, if the price is good for us.

Sent from my BLU Advance 5.0 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[therealmjl]

Seems like Captain coming back is all but a guarantee. 

Peppers, not as sure...but he is definitely a Gettleman type signing (emotions aside). Would be cool to see him play here once more.

[SOJA]

we need a good NB and pass rush is our biggest need in my opinion

[WilmyWood]

I'm not one of those people that gets upset over what happened with Peppers.  I understand business is business.  That being said, I will proudly dust off my #90 jersey if he returns.

[Saca312]

Munnerlyn is a possibility and easily an upgrade in our secondary. Leonard Johnson is okay, but certainly upgradable. Honestly get him and a SS and we might have one of the most solid secondaries for a while.

Peppers wouldn't really be an upgrade more-so than the fact he's probably depth. He probably isn't going to be much of an impact in his twilight years, but he'll likely have an Allen-type impact where he clogs up the line and allows the DTs to feast.

 

[Shocker]

Peppers is 37.  Seriously doubt we sign him.   If we signed JPP I'd set some fireworks off, that would rock.  However, I just read he wants 85 million or so.  Haha.  No.

[mc52beast]

While we're at it let's get 89 out of retirement and bring back Fua... he could play LT

[Mojo]

We need to explore any and every option and roll with the best one.  No stone unturned.

 

[Waldo]

I was hoping for a bigger upgrade than Capt at the nickle spot. We could do worse, I just hope it's with a contract that is easy to dump when/if we find a better nickle option. That dude always way overvalued himself and I was happy as hell to see him gone the first time.

If Pep has a year left in his tank and it's for a very reasonable contract (time and money), then why not? My problems with Pep died when I learned more about Fox and his issues. I really can't blame the dude...at least from what I remember.