Peppers at Nuggets' win; reason unknown

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Monday, March 17, 2008

Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says he isn't trying to trade Julius Peppers, but among those sitting prominently courtside in the Pepsi Center for a Nuggets game Sunday night was the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end.

Peppers still has one year remaining on his contract - it runs through the 2008 season - so he couldn't speak to, or visit, another team without the Panthers' permission. But with the Broncos having finished 19th in the league in sacks this past season, there was plenty of so close yet so far at work there for the local franchise.

Peppers, coming off a career-worst 2 1/2 sacks in '07 and having finished the year on injured reserve, has been the subject of trade rumors around the league for weeks, so much so that Hurney went public earlier this month saying there was "nothing to it."

Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, also publicly has denied the ever-spinning rumor mill about his client. Even with the subpar year in '07, Peppers still is looking for more money from the Panthers or anybody else than the Broncos have shown they are willing to spend so far in this free-agency season.

Peppers is scheduled to count slightly more than $15 million against the salary cap this year, and thus far the Panthers haven't shown much inclination to renegotiate the deal before seeing Peppers play in '08.

Peppers has had at least 101/2 sacks in four of his six seasons in the league and has topped 11 twice, with 12 as a rookie in 2002 and 13 in '06.

• March 17, 2008

  4:52 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  cj1030lee writes:

  Let our own guys fight for a spot. Peppers haven't done anything. Why did we draft 2 DEs last year? You know we'll probably draft 2 more DEs this year. Let them fight it out for a spot on the roster.

• March 17, 2008

  9:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spidey writes:

  Pepper?? Ahhhhchooooooooooo!!

• March 17, 2008

  9:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  He is washed up we dont need an old often hurt D End. Dumervil & Moss will be the Productive this year.

• March 17, 2008

  10:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  Good luck getting that kind of money Peppers. Hope the Broncos don't shell it out.

• March 17, 2008

  10:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncofanlostinRi writes:

  Broncos need a player like peppers. He can help the line with his knowledge of the game. Him and lynch together could possibly help stop the run.

• March 17, 2008

  11:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SE7EN writes:

  Peppers washed up?? The guy had one bad year and he's washed up? He's only 28 years old. Denver would be insane NOT to entertain the idea of getting Peppers. They need a difference maker on the D-Line. Other than Elvis, we've got nobody who has been a proven threat on the D-line.

  I hope Denver can make a deal.

• March 17, 2008

  11:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  johnniemayes writes:

  I agree with Se7en. Peppers, like Bailey, is a game changer. Teams need to change their gameplan specifically to stop him. If we do obtain him I wonder if they would move him to DT since we have so many DEs?

• March 17, 2008

  12:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MiamiMike writes:

  You are right on Se7en.

  This guy had one bad year and people jump on that? As fans we do not always know what goes on in the locker or behind closed doors in regards to why a player has a bad year. How many players have had a bad year and then rebound when they get a new coach or team?If this guy had a history of bad years or off field issues then I could understand why someone would say he is washed up. the guy is in his twenty's and has not had any serious injuries.Peppers' 2007 season ended two games early when he was put on Injured Reserve with a sprained MCL in his right knee. If we could get him ( FOR THE RIGHT PRICE & ONLY THEN) I say get him. We just can't do what we have done in the past and over pay guy's that last 1 year with us. He is young enough to play a few years if the contract was worked right it would be a great get.

• March 17, 2008

  12:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gdkroust writes:

  The chances the Panthers will trade their best defensive player is slim to none. They just lost the second best DE on the team with Mike Rucker's retirement and the list of viable back-ups is a short one. Not to mention they have other defensive issues to address. Creating a huge hole at defensive end and filling another one doesn't sound very smart (i.e. losing two starters).

  The Rocky Mountain News is simply looking to stir up some internet controversy. Peppers played two years of college basketball at Carolina and probably enjoys the game as much as the next fan. Carmelo, AI, Durant, and others are all great reasons to attend a game and if I had his money I'd fly to Denver to catch one too.

  And the notion that Peppers could be a DT is rediculous. He's the epitomy of the position, 'defensive end.' 6'-7" 285 and fast. Warren Sapp fits the DT model, their body types are slightly different.

• March 17, 2008

  1:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RustyWon writes:

  This would be a perfect time for Carolina to try to trade him. Final year of the contract usually is; especially if he ended 07 on IR.
  He'd look great in orange and blue for sure, but I thought the same thing about Simeon Rice once upon a time. I know, not the greatest example, but you get my drift.

  I hope if they do make a deal the Broncos won't give up too much.
  I want to see how the young talent develops.

• March 17, 2008

  1:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gdkroust writes:

  The Denver Broncos have more defensive ends than they could ask for. Not to mention they re-signed two of there ends from last year. This sort of speculation is fun but we have to be realistic here. Why would you trade for a position you have no problem filling? If you didn't like the results from last year why would you re-sign your old players? What would you trade away to get Peppers anyways?

  You had to trade Clinton Portis to get Champ Bailey whose contract is for 63 million. Trading away your picks or players for another huge contract, probably six years 72 million, just doesn't sound like good business and would qualify in the 'giving up too much,' category.

  Any viable trade options? The Panthers need Tackles and you have none of those. No one on your team is worth the trade except Cutler.

  Oh, and you can have Colbert, he's terrible. You paid him too much.

• March 17, 2008

  1:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gdkroust writes:

  And a MCL sprain is the easiest knee injury to recover from it heals itself.

• March 17, 2008

  2:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gdkroust writes:

  LeBron James was suppose to go to the regular season Duke - Carolina game a little while ago. Maybe he wants to go back to school. He had originally committed to Duke.

  Makes perfect sense right.

• March 17, 2008

  11:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Ringo writes:

  The salary cap is a myth.

• March 18, 2008

  6:32 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  warrengfunk7 writes:

  He was a rookie in 2002 and he is old and washed up already? Are you kidding me! Peppers was a top 5 defensive lineman in 2006 and was simply hurt last season. If he's healthy again and passes physical and all, Denver needs to splurge on this guy and trade for him. The Broncos aren't rebuilding for the future, they are filling holes to win the Super Bowl next season. These are the type of players it's going to take. Him and Al Wilson, now that he's healthy again!

• March 18, 2008

  2:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GreeleyNugz writes:

  Everyone who says we dont need Peppers-----------> Your not a broncos fan

• March 18, 2008

  3:58 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Fresh writes:

  you are all idiots

  he was at the nuggets game, to WATCH THE FREAKIN NUGGETS GAME!

  man you are retards!!!!!!!!!!!