How Much Interest Should The Arizona Cardinals Show In Julius Peppers?

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 3:00 AM MST in 2010 Offseason Comment 31 comments

We've been discussing it in fanposts and fanshots recently so I figured I'd bump this topic to the front page.

As you may know, the Arizona Cardinals are desperately in need of an outside linebacker that can blitz opposing quarterbacks. Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers fits that profile and he's been pleading his case to leave Carolina to play in a 3-4 defense as a linebacker since last season.

Peppers just turned 30 in January which means if the Cardinals were to offer him a contract I'd have to assume it would be in the three year range, meaning by 33 he could be extended or released. The only problem is the price. Peppers was franchised this past season and made nearly $18 million, and would draw $21 million if the Panthers were to franchise him again.

It's well known that Peppers would command money around that range, and he wants to be one of the highest paid players in the league. Assuming that's true, he'd be a long shot to join the Cardinals. A man can dream though can't he?

As an end, Peppers had 10.5 sacks on the year and also appeared in the Pro Bowl. Those who argue that his production has took a dip should look at his career numbers. He didn't have over 12 sacks for the first four years of his career, and the14.5 sacks in 2008 were a career high. That means the last two seasons he's sacked quarterbacks a total of 25 times.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2009 - Julius Peppers	14	10.5	52.5	2	13	1	36	6	42

Another problem the Cardinals would face is their situation with Karlos Dansby. He's set to become a free agent and has expressed his desire to become well paid. He himself is also approaching 30-years old and has been franchised two years straight. Should the Cardinals sign both of these men, they would shore up their needs at linebacker - but that doesn't seem likely. What do you feel the Cardinals should do? Should they go after Peppers if the price is right or focus primarily on Dansby?

Poll

Should the Arizona Cardinals show interest in Julius Peppers?

Yes

264 votes

No

163 votes

427 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

One or the other

If we can’t sign Dansby than we should pursue him. And I mean we show that we are interested in him but only truly pursue him if things with Dansby fall apart.
I am curious to know what the long term repercussions of a signing like this would be. Would be not have the money later on to pay guys like CC, DRC, and Boobs, etc? Does anyone have a firm grasp of this stuff that could explain it?
I know I am dreaming big on this, but I would LOVE to see the havoc Peppers would create in the NFC Worst.

They are who we thought they were!

by Jessesb on Feb 2, 2010 5:21 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

The rest of the division would crap their pants

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 7:36 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's unlikely

… it would just cost too much. Dockett would then not be extended. More likely that a team comes in and pays him silly money, e.g. Redskins, Cowboys etc…

Replenish the team through the draft is the way to go.

by Hibernian on Feb 2, 2010 7:48 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I am assuming Dansby is going too

… again too much money needed.

by Hibernian on Feb 2, 2010 7:53 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

The formula is by drafting good talent, and adding veterans to fill holes at the right price… if Peppers becomes a free agent, some team will overpay for his services, just like the Redskins did with Alberth Haynseworth, we can make better use of the money it would take to bring Peppers over… GO CARDINALS

paco cabrera

by pacocab on Feb 2, 2010 10:19 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The guy is a beast but, no go on this guy

Didn’t he quit on his team a bunch over the last couple of years? I question his character and commitment. Rather get a guy who is hungry than one trying to cash in before he bows out of the league.

by 3nOUT on Feb 2, 2010 8:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about the last couple season but he did not play hard at the beginning of last season.

Mostly because he did not want to be playing there but he started trying 3 games into the season and finished the season off strong. Does this raise a red flag yea, but he would bring to this team what we really need right now (a pass rusher that keeps defensive coordinators up at night).

by Pyromnc on Feb 2, 2010 9:21 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Pepper's sacks were spread out throughout the year

He didn’t get the bulk of them against just one team like Jared Allen.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:49 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Dockett has two years left right?

So he’s not neccesarily their number one priority right now. We saw how the Q situation went. I doubt they extend Dockett just yet, unless they have no free agent spending plans.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:48 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

IF

It’s a big if guys, but Peppers would be an upgrade to Dansby if we lost him. I like Peppers tenacity but at 30 price would probably kill this deal.

I was watching film on Cody Brown, this kid will be the real deal. With Will Davis almost taking over Berry’s spot before injury I’d say he has a good shot at starting this year too. I think our best bet is the draft, its fat with DE/OLB.

by Punisher3190 on Feb 2, 2010 8:57 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

The problem with relying on two guys we're not too familiar with is

that once the season starts, there’s no turning back. We all thought Highsmith would turn into somebody, and look how that went.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:47 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

ONE OF THE GREATS

Bring Back Hard Hitting Ron Mckinnon!!!!

by sliceostew on Feb 2, 2010 9:01 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Could be a possibility.

With the loss of Warner and possible losses in Dansby, Rolle, and Q… this might be a nice signing to negate some of those losses.

I doubt this happens taking into account that Whiz normally just signs role players in free agency and tries to draft the stars but who knows what happens if we lose 2 of those last three mentioned this off season(Q, Dansby, and Rolle).

by Pyromnc on Feb 2, 2010 9:17 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

There's no way the Cardinals don't extend Rolle

Either that or trade him but the cap hit(assuming there is a cap) would be too much. I say they extend him very soon, especially since he just made the pro bowl.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

why would this

be a nice signing to offset losses of Dansby, Rolle, or Q?

He’s a 4-3 defensive end that has never played with his hand off of the ground. Adding him doesn’t offset the loss of the starting free safety or the starting ILB.

The amount of money he will want is not worth it. Even if he signed for a million dollars, he’s not a good fit.

by KDean75 on Feb 2, 2010 11:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree completly

I do not think it would be much of a transition for him.
Also, his numbers are ridiculous and would be more so in the NFC West. Hes worth the money, just not sure if hes worth the Bildwells money

They are who we thought they were!

by Jessesb on Feb 3, 2010 2:54 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Bidwell’s money? What does that mean? Meaning the Bidwell’s won’t pay for his services?
That’s a good thing as he’s not a fit for this team.

What makes you think that it wouldn’t be much of a transition after playing his whole college and NFL career as a 4-3 DE? What ability has he shown that translates well?

by KDean75 on Feb 3, 2010 5:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

What about...

Joey Porter??? I saw this morning that he is lookin to get out of Miami. He could be the solid, veteran OLB that can be at times one of the top pass rushers if his heads on straight. Thoughts?

by scipaz64 on Feb 2, 2010 9:36 AM MST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

A former Steeler playing for the Cardinals?

Whisenhunt would NEVER do that! Actually, this sounds like a very plausable scenario.

by hadrarius on Feb 2, 2010 10:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Really guys?

Porter will be 33 in March. I just don’t know what he could offer that say Okeafor or Haggans couldn’t. Sure he’d provide a little more of a pass rush but the price would be much steeper.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

"If the price is right."

That sums it up. Unfortunately the price is wrong. The Cardinals should show that they are open to him but at a price that is reasonable for the organization.

by hadrarius on Feb 2, 2010 10:12 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely would be the deciding point

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Think he'd play for league min? haha SOLD!

by SundayBlitz on Feb 2, 2010 1:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Joey Porter sounds more reasonable

I really don’t want to see the team overspending on one free agent, we have some holes to fill and hopefully we will have another great draft…. GO CARDINALS

paco cabrera

by pacocab on Feb 2, 2010 10:21 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Boldin for Porter and a 4th or 5th rounder

Porter still has a few good years left in the tank. He is a driven beast that would love to be considered in the same ‘legacy’ mold as lewis (even though he never will). He would bring leadership, a vicious pass-rush, and a nastiness to our defense that we are most certainly lacking. Maybe he can even teach DRC to not hit like a little girl and the rest of our team to not try to arm tackle 250 lb men. Just an idea.

by cardsfanforlife24 on Feb 2, 2010 10:35 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

With he and Dockett we'd be called one of the dirtiest defenses in the league

Not that I mind.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 10:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

A Few Years Is a Stretch

Porter played on a fairly good defensive squad and may have a year or two tops. I bet we see significant drop off though after this year. I don’t think we trade Boldin for someone who’s career is winding down and will end with even an average injury. If we trade Boldin, I want someone that will make an impact for several years.

by SundayBlitz on Feb 2, 2010 1:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

i think i'd rather pay dansby less than peppers and try to draft a middle linebacker in the draft

that way dansby can play outside linebacker which is his natural position, and we can have gerald hayes and unnamed rookie X as our middle linebackers. i think dansby can make a much bigger impact as an outside linebacker, his speed and quickness will let him get to the qb when he blitzes and he can also cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield

also, since we’re a final 8 team, we can only sign one free agent for more than $5 million. i’d rather it not be a 30 year old converted 4-3 DE with attitude problems, especially if it means we’ll probably lose Dansby, Q (although he’s probably already gone), and maybe Rolle

by najmsh on Feb 2, 2010 11:39 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Express Interest and look the other way

I don’t mind expressing interest in the way of calling him and saying “hey, we’re interested if you are” and then hanging up. LOL. Unless he was going to be much cheaper than is realistic right now, I don’t even consider Peppers.

If we’re going to spend money on a LB, Dansby is the way to go. He’s part of the team already and has the attitude right for this team. He’s played along our defense, played with the guys, knows the system, etc. Plus, he’ll probably be cheaper and has more years left in him. Whether we keep him where he is or move him outside, I say we spend a few bucks and keep Dansby and use the draft to shore up the holes.

and I’m not just rooting for Dansby because I wear his jersey…lol…well, that’s part of it…

by SundayBlitz on Feb 2, 2010 1:09 PM MST reply actions 1 recs