Couple of comments....

The contracts are easy to structure when you know what you're doing. The Packers are very good at getting deals done and structuring them with bonuses. Chances are Collins and Jennings aren't going to be paid a lot of money in terms of comparisons to a guy like Albert Haynesworth. I think Jennings gets a Randy Moss like deal which is reasonable. Probably less guaranteed too and I think Collins gets a reasonable deal as well.

Tramon Williams isn't getting a deal know better than Ryan Grant who's contract is considered a lot of money, but by the NFL standards, it was pretty reasonable especially when you factor in it's incentive base.

I guess what I'm saying is those guys should be retained. If GB went out and traded for Peppers and signed Chris Canty as well and gave Bart Scott a big deal, then we'd be talking about a cap problem.

One player is ok and doesn't hurt the cap that much. Several do.

As far as Peppers playing in the 3-4.

Like Thompson said a lot of the times GB is going to be lining up in a 4-3 front. So this is going to be a basic hybrid I believe, but Peppers is a rare talent. He is special.

He could play OLB at probably 275 to 280. He has the athleticism to stand up. He is truly one of the best athletes in the game today.

In reality if you're worried about Peppers dropping back or in the flats then I see the point, but Peppers would be brought into pressure the QB.

There are ways to scheme around the weakness of a Peppers and Kampman on the outside, but the offense really is put at a huge disadvantage when you have two of the best pass rushers in football coming at you. Yes, teams will beat the Packers in the flats once in awhile, but they wont' do it all the time. GB will likely benefit more from getting constant pressure on the QB than the Vikings will for isolating Chester Taylor in the flats.

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Exactly! People keep using the argument that if we signed one big named free agent we wouldn't be able to sign all of our players. Yes, we would be able to sign the ones we wanted to resign with proper structuring of all the contracts. That's not really a valid argument.

Where did I get the information that he could be acquired for a 2nd round pick? It was on NFL.com that the Patriots were about to acquire peppers for their 2nd round pick. It obviously hasn't happened yet and very well might not happen at all. But apparently it was pretty close to happening at some point for just a 2nd round pick. It Julius Peppers could be gotten for a 2nd round pick plus some, it would be a steal. Keep in mind I said "if," as in a hypothetical situation. If the parameters are different, then my opinion might be as well (although I still think getting Peppers for a 1st round pick would be "safer" then lots of the other potential picks). Several people don't seem to be that worried about some of the other tweeners converting to 3-4 LB in the draft, so I don't really understand how it's any different.

For those that think he wouldn't be successful in the 3-4, I just don't agree. Every team should want someone as talented as Peppers on their team. An excellent coach like Capers gets the most out of his players and I believe this would be the case here. A speedy 6'7 guy dropping back into a tiny zone with pressure coming at the quarterback from a couple different directions? Are you kidding me? Throw that ball near him and it's at least going to be knocked down 2/3's of the time, IMO.

I'm not trying to personally insult anyone that doesn't agree with me about this. It's all opinion. I'm just not buying into the fact that one of the best 4-3 defensive ends and athletes in football paired with one of the better defensive coaches in football wouldn't produce significant results. I like Ted Thompson, but I definitely get annoyed at times. I've seen Peppers play a lot and the guy is just sick. He disappears at times, but so does everyone else, especially when you're facing doubles all the time. I think he'll be fine in coverage. He's already have 4 career interceptions (0 for Aaron Kampman), 36 passes deflected (8 for Kampman), 70.5 sacks (50.5 for Kampman), 339 total tackles (416 for Kampman). My point is I think he would excel in a 3-4 defense, especially in a hybrid one. Who wouldn't fear Peppers, Jenkins, Jolly, Kampman, and maybe someone else coming rushing at them on 3rd and long?

Heh, I realize this isn't going to happen, but it just doesn't make sense to me, and I have heard the arguments. I at least hope some effort was made to bring him in. Props to the Panther's for keeping him if they can.

Link 

Panthers Intent On Holding Onto Peppers
Posted by Aaron Wilson on April 17, 2009, 10:00 a.m.

Despite the impasse with franchise player Julius Peppers, who has requested a trade, the Carolina Panthers remain certain that the star defensive end will play for the team again.

Peppers hasnt signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender, but Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney expressed confidence that Peppers wont hold out of training camp and will eventually return to the team, according to the Associated Press.

Under NFL rules governing franchise players, Peppers isnt required to report to camp or attend offseason activities until he signs his franchise tender.

Weve known Julius for seven years, and it has been a good seven years, Hurney told reporters during the Panthers draft press conference. I think he knows how we feel, and we feel like hes been happy here. And again, nothing has changed.

We franchised him, and when we did we knew there was a period for the process to take place. When that process goes through then hes going to be back.

Hurney added that he hasnt been approached by other teams with trade offers for Peppers.

Because of the high salary-cap impact caused by the commitment to Peppers, the Panthers have been blocked from participating in free agency other than re-signing left offensive tackle Jordan Gross to a contract extension prior to the free agent signing period.

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I don't read much into this. I've read this article beforehand. They could just be blowing smoke in an attempt to get as much out of him on draft day as they can. Who knows though. We will know soon enough!

Apparently the hold up in the trade to the Patriots is the Patriots want him to sign his tender first so that they can speak directly with the Panthers. So, maybe that's why the 2nd round trade hasn't gone down?

Yeah, I take anything regarding trade rumors/player negotiations etc. with a grain of salt, no matter the source, but I figured I would add it to the thread.

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If Peppers would help us, that'd be agreat to pick him up. I'm not sure he would help us in this scheme. He might be solid for one year, but after his fire of 'im better suited for 3 -4' wears out, how well will he play? I think he has motivation issues.

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I agree. Thanks buddy!

Well can you say the same thing about Braylon Edwards and Bolden? They are moving from their teams so why isn't it done yet? The teams i believe are waiting to see how things go in the draft and where picks fall.

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Panthers will want people to think that they're intent on keeping him because it helps them in negotiating a deal. I think they would like to keep him as well, but I'm not sure he doesn't find away to just get out of Carolina. I think things pickup next week on his front.

My guess is he ends up in New England, but that's just a guess.

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I agree with everything you said there Porky and unfortunately the players want to goto winning teams thus i also think he is going to NE.

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