How Much Interest Should The Arizona Cardinals Show In Julius Peppers?
by Andrew602 on Feb 2, 2010 3:00 AM MST
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
Email
PrintWe'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.
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?
31 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
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!
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
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.
I am assuming Dansby is going too
… again too much money needed.
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
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.
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).
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
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
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.
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
ONE OF THE GREATS
Bring Back Hard Hitting Ron Mckinnon!!!!
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).
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
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.
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 Jesse Reynolds on Feb 3, 2010 2:54 AM MST up reply actions
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?
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
A former Steeler playing for the Cardinals?
Whisenhunt would NEVER do that! Actually, this sounds like a very plausable scenario.
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
"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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
If they don't have to give up too much on him, sure.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
Not worth the cash...
…he’ll be demanding.
Cards could address more areas.
by WeDoThisTogether on Feb 2, 2010 3:57 PM MST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Smarter Stats: Super Bowl Edition — Giants’ offense vs. Patriots’ defense
- Curtis Martin’s mother helped drive him to the Hall of Fame
- Patriots heartlessly release Tiquan Underwood on the eve of Super Bowl XLVI
- Butler, Dawson, Doleman, Kennedy, Martin and Roaf make the 2012 Hall of Fame cut
- Ten things to know about Super Bowl XLVI halftime
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
