The Peppers Effect

[jramsey4]

I started think about all that has gone on this week and how every thing has completely changed for this team. We have a FO who has all the signals and moves of one that is not in control by all the completely uncharacteristic moves. I started thinking about where it all went wrong.

At the end of the 08' regular season we were on top of the world. Then it all came crashing down against the Cards. Jake had his worst game (believe it or not though it became the norm) ever and our D couldn't have stoped Fitz if we had tied his shoelaces together (thank you I know its an exaggeration).

But this is not what I believe set in motion what has happened since then, it was one simple move. Tagging Peppers. When we tagged Pep it set off a chain reaction that has put this FO (and rightfully so) squarely in JR's s**t box.

The 1st domino to fall in place was the extension of one Jake Delhomme, to ease cap strain from Peps hefty cap hit. Some saw it as a necessity and it was but only if keeping Peppers was also one. Say what you want but I doubt Jake gets that extension after how he played unless we were in cap hell. Almost every analyst and tv host were dumbfounded by this move and the numbers (I'd be pissed too if my employee just pissed away 12 million of my money).

Still in cap hell our team was forced to go into the season thin at DT. And wouldn't you know it one of our starters is lost for the season the 1st day of TC. Fast Forward to the regular season we are still having to find more bodies for the middle of that Dline. The move also kept us from doing anything (even small) in FA so we entered into yet another year without a dynamic #2 receiver.

Whats even worse is because of the uncertainty with Pep, he had not signed the tag, our FO made a move of desperation (although I do like Brown the move reeked to me of desperation). Now we have no 1st in a great class.

Its funny how one move can have such repercussions. That one move most likely lost Fox/Hurney there jobs (or at least made the case for keeping them worse) and IMO our 09 season (I don't think Fox would have stuck with Jake that long if not for that extension). If we hadn't tagged him we would also be looking at another 3rd round pick this year due to compensatory picks.

I am both excited and terrified for the season to begin. Excited because of all the young and talented players that are finally getting a real opportunity but also terrified because of the lack of veteran leadership (We have some good young leaders but where is that 10 year vet teaching from experience) and who knows how team chemistry will be with all these losses.

All I can say is I am ready for August damnit.

[NJPanthers12]

Before Hurney awards an exstention or makes a move, the owner, the "Big Cat" has to sign off on the deal. It is his money, so you would be nieve to think the "Big Cat" had no say on the franchising of Peppers and the deal given to Delhomme. If the "Big Cat" was so against these moves he would not have signed off on it and told Hurney and Fox to come up with another plan.

[Kurb]

I think pep was mad at getting tagged and despised Turdo.

I think Big Cat and Pep sat down and came to a spoken agreement.

I think Pep decided (agent helped Im sure) that he wanted more than he told BigCat.

I think BigCat was furious that Pep "double crossed" him and broke their spoken agreement.

I think BigCat told the FO to send Pep on his way.

[Mr. Scot]

Reasonable.