Peppers Signs Franchise Tender: Some Fans Rejoice

On Wednesday June 24th, 2009 Julius Peppers ended his theatrics and finally signed his franchise tender worth $16.7 million, with an addition $1 million playoff bonus and an additional $250.000 for each playoff win; plus a $1.5 million Probowl bonus.

Now he's suddenly changed his attitude towards the Panthers organization, where he said before that he wants out of Carolina, he now says "I am optimistic and focused as I look forward to the upcoming NFL season." He is seeking a new long term contract that will likely take him to retirement in Carolina, as well as making him a very well paid man.

Now with all of that said and done, the Panthers front office seems happy and Peppers now seems happy, but the Fan base is another story.

Peppers remarks during the stare down, have included things like wanting to play Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and narrowing the teams he wanted to be traded to down to four teams with the Cowboys and Patriots among those on his list.

Needless to say, while some fans have welcomed him back with open arms, some fans have given the opposite reaction by writing the local paper, calling into local sports talk shows and writing with furious vigor and venom on Panthers message boards about they're desires to never see him on the team again. 

But for all that is being said, Julius Peppers be boo'd until his first sack, then and only then will this offseason fiasco become a distant memory. Most fans will then again welcome him with open arms, because as we all know great play and winning has a way of mending all fences.

Julius Peppers is one of a very few game changing DE's in the NFL, the SportingNews.com has Peppers ranked as the second best DE in the NFL today behind fellow Probowl DE Jared Allen. Pete Prisco of cbssports.com has him ranked as the 13th best player in the NFL.

So yes he is that good and he is worth it. Hopefully the Panthers and Peppers can get a long term contract worked out and they can clear space, but that's for another day.