Dueling Beat Writers

[Mr. Scot]

Gantt:

The Peppers bridges are burned (link)

It's too late for a reconciliation. Peppers has guaranteed that, by saying more in the last six weeks than the last seven years.

He's not a bad guy because he wants out, wants to play in a new system in a new city for a new challenge.

He's always known he was a special talent, telling his college teammates "Imagine if I worked hard?" after doing whatever amazing thing he had just done. Peppers clearly has the vision of dominating the game in a unique way with his unique talents, and with all that he and his camp have put forth, it's clear that he doesn't think that can happen here.

So now the market has to do its thing.

Panthers working on keeping Hangartner (link)

From the sounds of things, they’re going to start soon, as the agent for offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner said Thursday he’s going to talk with Panthers general manager Marty Hurney today at the scouting combine about a new deal.

Even though the Panthers emerged from the biggest one-day spending spree in franchise history, there still should be enough to bring back the versatile blocker.

“Absolutely I think we can get something done,” agent Eric Metz said of Hangartner returning. “That’s what he wants, and we remain optimistic we can get something done.”

Hangartner would have opportunities at clear-cut starting jobs if he left, and said he’s considering everything. But he’s also been careful to point to the positives of being a sixth-man on a good team as opposed to a starter on a bad one, and puts plenty of weight on the difference.

Chandler:

Consensus is that Peppers will be back (link)

he general consensus at the combine, where virtually the entire league is gathered, is that Julius Peppers is more likely to be back playing for the Panthers next season than he is to be traded as a franchise free agent.

The widely-held thinking in Indy seems to be that no team will be willing to give up what it would take to wrest Peppers away from the Panthers. And there is similar agreement that the Panthers are intent on keeping Peppers and don’t want to trade him.

The bottom line is the leverage of the situation changed dramatically, switching to the Panthers’ favor, on Thursday when Peppers was franchised.

As much as Peppers and agent Carl Carey have voiced Peppers’ desire to move to another team, both have been very careful to be only complimentary in their remarks about the Panthers’ organization and coaching staff. So the notion that they’ve burned bridges is a bit exaggerated. What we’ve witnessed the past five weeks is the business of the NFL playing out in front of our eyes.

Peppers and Carey have done what they felt they had to do, and the Panthers have now done what they felt was best for the organization.

Peppers’ teammates certainly don’t mind that he has donned a business suit since late January and, as Gross said Thursday, they’d welcome him with open arms if he returned.

Could Peppers still be traded? Yes.

But the chances of that happening aren’t as high as you might think.

No movement on Hangartner (same page)

The Panthers aren’t ready to make a move yet to re-sign top reserve lineman Geoff Hangartner, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 27.

Unless the Panthers made a hefty offer, which they may not have the salary cap room to do, Hangartner is expected to test his value in free agency and is likely to get an opportunity to start for another team.

Hangartner enjoys playing with the Panthers, however, and teammates such as Gross are hoping he stays.

Hangartner isn’t one of the top five starters for the Panthers, but is a valued backup at center and guard, repeatedly playing well enough so there was little dropoff when he filled in for the starters.

So...everybody clear? :confused:

[Jangler]

[Kevin Greene]

Saw the article on the consensus that Peppers will stay in Carolina. I am dead set against that idea as I don't want an even less motivated or upset Peppers on the roster. Just don't want a potential malingerer hanging around.

Compensation for Peppers? I'm not stuck on 1st round plus a 3rd rounder or better as compensation either.

We're into Peppers next year for 16.7 million dollars in cap room if he's on the roster. I don't want another season of paying Peppers over 1 million per sack. If we trade Peppers, even for a second round pick, especially if we trade for a second round pick we get huge cap relief. Say a second rounder has a million dollar cap figure next year, we have nearly 16 million dollars of Peppers free cap relief we could spend on free agents and resigning our own. We could sign Albert Haynsworth plus lock up Hangartner and company.

Peppers must go. We gain huge compensation in cap relief and whatever we get in addition is gravy.

[Snake]

When has Chandler ever been right? That is the question here.

[engine9]

so basically gantt and chandler are like dueling huddle posters. lots of talk, lots of words, one will be right but it's highly unlikely at this stage that either one is right either way.

My money is on Gantt being the forum hero type and Chandler being the Mr Scott nimrodish type.

[Mr. Scot]

so basically gantt and chandler are like dueling huddle posters. lots of talk, lots of words, one will be right but it's highly unlikely at this stage that either one is right either way.

My money is on Gantt being the forum hero type and Chandler being the Mr Scott nimrodish type.

One 'T'...just one. Is it really that difficult for everybody to get that? :boxing_smiley:

[Mr. Scot]

Opens up an interesting question though...

Would you rather...

A) Accept a less than optimal trade compensation just to see him be gone

or

Hold on to him until someone gives us the kind of offer we think he merits

[engine9]

One 'T'...just one. Is it really that difficult for everybody to get that? :boxing_smiley:

No one cares how you spell your name....Fowler :rolleyes5:

[Mr. Scot]

No one cares how you spell your name....Fowler :rolleyes5:

That's supposed to be a sec...Um...I mean...What are you talking about? Fowler who? :incazzato:

[Kevin Greene]

Opens up an interesting question though...

Would you rather...

A) Accept a less than optimal trade compensation just to see him be gone

or

Hold on to him until someone gives us the kind of offer we think he merits

Everyone points to Jared Allen as the barometer in what we should get for Peppers. But Allen's Franchise tag cap number to the Chiefs would only have been 9 million dollars. The 16.7 we owe Pep gives us a weaker bargaining position I believe. Plus the fact Peppers keeps crapping on the Panthers organization, so yeah I'd say A, accept less.

[holycrikey]

Opens up an interesting question though...

Would you rather...

A) Accept a less than optimal trade compensation just to see him be gone

or

Hold on to him until someone gives us the kind of offer we think he merits

Absolutely A. Get whatever you can for him. He has made it clear that he doesn't want to be on the Panthers roster, and the Panthers organization should say, "Great. So long, A-hole." Panthers organization seems to pride themselves on getting rid of loud-mouths, criminals, and those players who don't have the desire to play.

So keep that philosophy in mind and get rid of a guy who clearly doesn't want to play.

I'd even take two first round picks in the late bit of the 1st round (even around 30,31,32). I'd take a 1st and a 2nd. A 1st and two 3rds. Even two 2nd's.

The point is to get rid of a player who doesn't want to play. Fielding a cohesive team is more important than embracing a guy who changes his mind (or a guy who flat out doesn't like the team).

Also, by getting rid of him, it removes the drama of having to work with him on a future trade, or dealing with the media and how they'll latch onto the story, or dealing with disgruntled coaching staff and fans. He is an infection at this point and is doing the team NO good, regardless if he plays and tallies sacks. In the end, Peppers will eventually leave Carolina. So why the hell invest any more time or money in him? Take what you can get and move on with the importance of PLAYING.

[frash.exe]

Everyone points to Jared Allen as the barometer in what we should get for Peppers. But Allen's Franchise tag cap number to the Chiefs would only have been 9 million dollars. The 16.7 we owe Pep gives us a weaker bargaining position I believe. Plus the fact Peppers keeps crapping on the Panthers organization, so yeah I'd say A, accept less.

However, we've already paid Peppers those kinds of numbers before. So it's not like the high salary number is anything new.

[Mr. Scot]

For the record, this isn't our first Beat Writer Smackdown.

Back in 06, Pat Yasinskas was convinced the team would sign Keyshawn. Steve Reed said no way in hell.

[L.A. Fanatic]

I dont want to take a bad deal. I would consider a late 2nd and a late 3rd a bad deal. I would even be disappointed with 2 2nds but I could live with it

I also dont want him loafing around on the field next year, which isnt a sure thing if he stays, he could play well in hopes of leaving. or he could cut off his nose to spite his face

quite a quandry