Eagletarian

Race on for Peppers, Gross

The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian

11 comments

Race on for Peppers, Gross

POSTED: Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 6:30 PM

Daily News staff

When it comes to the Carolina Panthers, the player whom many Eagles fans are talking about is offensive tackle Jordan Gross, the only high-profile young offensive tackle eligible for free agency. The Panthers reportedly are trying to lock him up before the Feb. 27 start of the signing period.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Julius Peppers wants out of Carolina, but he will only accept a trade to four teams, according to multiple reports.

The Associated Press, citing a person close to Peppers, said the player would only agree to go to Dallas or three other teams, two in the NFC. The Charlotte Observer reports that those two other NFC teams are teams that the Panthers would not trade Peppers to, implying both are in the NFC South.

Accoding to the Observer, "The source also says that there are issues that could impede a trade to the other two teams such as compensation for the Panthers and potential contract problems for Peppers. In other words, the teams might not have a high first-round pick to offer Carolina, and might not have the money to pay Peppers."

Teams have until 4 p.m. Thursday to apply the franchise tag, something Peppers clearly does not want because it binds him to Carolina for another year. The Panthers also could apply the tag to Gross if they cannot sign him.

Could be an interesting day in Charlotte ...

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Comments (11)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:02 PM, 02/18/2009

Whatever. The Eagles need to put together a decent trade for a guy that wants out of Arizona. We don't need Peppers and we can draft Tre Thomas' replacement...although I now say 'thanks for the work, Tre."

— elektrika

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:43 PM, 02/18/2009

Is it true that the Eagles want to trade Winston Justice? What do they expect to get for him?

— NickEeee

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:01 PM, 02/18/2009

Justice for a can of beer, no name brands just the white can black letter B E E R

— phillyfanEugene

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:19 PM, 02/18/2009

very funny eugene. the best part of the blogs are the fan comments... BOLDIN spells SUPER BOWL.

— Theo1980

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:24 PM, 02/18/2009

Boldin doesn't spell super bowl without an offensive line to give Donovan the time to throw the ball. Offensive line is first priority....something that we have been able to take for granted for so long...

— phigglesfan75

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:44 PM, 02/18/2009

Peppers is a free agent

— commonwealth

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:51 PM, 02/18/2009

The Eagles need Peppers. He plays like a man among children. He can drop off in green dog zone blitz coverage. No more quick throws to slot receivers to spots vacated by JJ's blitzers. He can cover all the way across the field. He can shut off runs around the edges. Plus, he weakens an NFL rival. It was the defense that lost that championship game. This man will teach the young d-line how to play.

— ItalianSausage

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:03 PM, 02/18/2009

I wouldn't mind seeing Peppers opposite Trent Cole. The Eagles would be back to having a dominent front that would give them time to sure up the linebackers and the secondary.

— nceagle

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:03 PM, 02/18/2009

the Eagles would never get Peppers because he said he does NOT want to play in a 4-3 defense, we would have to offer him a 5 year 65 million with 25 garunteed to get him to play in our 4-3 (by blowing him away with a ridiculous offer)

— Eagles_Nation