PEPPERS GETS FRANCHISE TAG

Four-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers (North Carolina) mentioned during an in-game interview at this years Pro-Bowl in Honolulu that he was seriously considering moving on and saying goodbye to the Carolina Panthers. In response to Peppers’ request, the Panthers today announced that they placed their franchise tag on the multi-talented (he also played on the Tar Heels basketball team) defensive lineman.

Financial details were not disclosed but it basically ensures that Peppers will be in the top five percentile at his position based on 2008 salaries. Peppers has always been at the forefront of the NFL in comparison to his peers.

I’m a huge fan of Julius Peppers. He’s an incredible athlete and a fine human being. His list of accolades continue to grow and today, adds another honor to that growing inventory. However, depending on how you look at it this may be a good or a bad thing. But, regardless of how you look at it, Peppers is looking at more money, but he’s stuck in the defensive scheme he’s been playing in throughout his career rather than in the one that he prefers, the 3-4. You hate to see a guy stuck in a rut when he could do much more damage in another situation, but perhaps this could be the incentive that Peppers needs to break out like he did in his rookie and second years in the league.

Tight End Bo Scaife (Tennessee), Pittsburgh Offensive Tackle Max Starks, Seattle’s Leroy Hill (Linebacker), San Diego’s Darren Sproles and Cornerback Daunta Robinson (Houston) were also tagged by their respective teams.