Julius Peppers: Where Do The Panthers Go From Here?

Julius Peppers is all but gone from the Panthers. He will wear a Panthers helmet one more time in the Pro Bowl and that will be it.

My reaction: What scenarios are out there for the Panthers in their quest to trade Julius Peppers?

I have grown fairly ill-tempered to athletes who can't tell the honest truth and believe that in embellishing on the truth they are protecting themselves. If anything, it makes the athlete look foolish and leaves a bad taste in our mouths about that person.

Here we have Julius Peppers, a fine specimen of an athlete for the Panthers, but has never been consistent as a playmaker. One year his numbers were down, another year they were good, or he was injured. His record with Carolina averages out to one rating: mediocre.

Perhaps he wishes to escape his problems, and it might also have something to do with the fact that back in March of 2008, Peppers' personal life of owing the state of North Carolina a great deal of money in property taxes was brought to light by the Charlotte Observer.

He had a great year as a Panther this year, and after seven years with the Panthers insists that the reason for his desire to leave the team is to play for a team with a 3-4 style of defense.

The interesting thing to note however, is that Julius Peppers never was a big fan of the 3-4 defensive scheme, because he felt that he would be playing the role of a defensive tackle than defensive end, which shows proof to the fact he is, in truth, looking for a bigger contract and perhaps trying to escape ridicule and criticism from Panthers fans for playing a mediocre at best season next year.

The Panthers front office needs to stop pining for Peppers. It would be in their best interest to put the franchise tag on Julius, and shop him around to one of the 10 or so teams that employ a 3-4 defensive mindset, while also keeping in mind that they need something from that team that will benefit them as well.

One situation the Panthers could benefit from is to trade for a veteran backup quarterback who has had successful experience as a starter, a la Matt Cassel. The Patriots are aging in their defense, and they do use a 3-4 style of defense. Peppers would also have a chance at great success there, and he's not in the NFC.

Another possibility would be to trade Peppers to the Raiders. The Raiders had a fairly dismal season, and getting draft picks for him from there, the Panthers would have at least one higher-ranked first round pick, and maybe a second and/or third round picks.

A third trade potential would be to the Bears. There is some hope in a game manager quarterback in Kyle Orton, but that would be if the Bears are willing to part with their lesser of two evils quarterback.

A final possibility of which might be feasible, would be to trade Julius Peppers to the Detroit Lions. They don't have much to offer in a trade, but the draft picks would be the highest. The only problem there, is the Lions need every draft pick they have.

All-in-all, Peppers is an athlete who can make a difference on any team. The main thing the Panthers need to do is get good compensation in return for him and hopefully not trade him to an NFC team, unless that is the best option.

Since he has just turned 29, he does have a few more years—good years—left in him. The Panthers need to make that deal now, as it will be beneficial for the Panthers, Peppers, and whatever team he goes to.

Should they place the franchise tag on Peppers and keep him, the Panthers would effectively be keeping a lemon.