Peppers to New England... Rumor

[ProfessaPackMan]

Their Front Office needs to come out with a book or something and call it "NFL Offseasons For Dummies. Learn how to also become the most successful franchise this decade".

[hamannator]

Definitely agree.

[KOL]

If the Pats do get Julius....watch out.
In a competitive AFC East they need a breath of fresh air.

[J0nnD0ugh]

I'm sorry, but if the Panthers give up a Pepp for a 2nd round pick that was used to get Cassel, the NFL will need to increase security around the Panther brass. As much as this team needs a QB for the future after the MisJake fiasco, to get only a 2nd round pick, instead of someone to improve this team now, that is built to win now. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CWood2]

Corey Dillon - 2nd round pick
Wes Welker - 2nd round pick
Randy Moss - 4th round pick
Julius Peppers - 2nd round pick

4 All Pro's. No 1st round picks used to acquire them.

[hamannator]

The biggest steal of that bunch has got to be Moss. At least by how he impacted their team his first year.

[Misfit]

The alleged compensation should surprise no one. There's been a dramatic shift in the NFL over the past few seasons in which we see front offices valuing high second round picks almost as much as top first rounders. Few teams also part with first round picks for pricey veterans. I'm sure there has been a trade since, but the last one I can recall where a team parted with a first rounder for a player was the Seahawks for Deion Branch, and how has that worked out? The cost of first round talent doesn't make sense for most teams. Few teams truly want to pick in the top 10 these days and would much prefer to pick late in the first round or early in the second. Given how much of a financial commitment would be required of anyone who traded for Peppers, no one should be surprised to see him go for a second rounder or something similar. That and Peppers isn't as good as the hype is for him. He has the frustrating ability to disappear in big games and I would argue his price tag doesn't equal his play. Fantastic athlete, but should he be the highest paid player at his position? No way.

As for the deal, I'll believe it when I see it. It's not like the Patriots to acquire a player with that kind of price tag. Especially considering how some key players (Wilfork, Seymour, Mankins) on that team are entering the final year of their contract. The Patriots got Thomas at a discount, same for Moss. I would think they would require a similar commitment from Peppers in order for this deal to happen. I still think its more likely the continue to draft defensive players and add depth with someone like Jason Taylor.

[JohnDoe8865]

That trade for a 2nd round pick would be an epic failure on the part of the Panthers front office if it happens. You cannot trade a true franchise player, a real difference maker like Julius Peppers for a freakin' 2nd round pick.

The idea that it would even be considered by Carolina makes me mad.