Carucci: Patriots Remain Interested in Peppers

Peppers: the rumor that won't die

The buzz surrounding free-agent to be Julius Peppers and a union with the New England Patriots simply won’t go away.  Last year, there was considerable buzz that Peppers could go to New England via trade.  While (mostly due to salary cap considerations) that never panned out, Peppers, who likely won’t be given the franchise tag by the Panthers this time around, there is no denying the ever growing buzz that the New England Patriots could pursue Peppers as a free agent.  Vic Carucci reports:

We reported in this space a year ago that it was likely the Panthers would trade Peppers to the New England Patriots after he signed his one-year, franchise-tag contract. The deal never happened, but sources say the Pats, whose inability to consistently pressure the quarterback was their biggest drawback last season, remain very interested in acquiring Peppers. They’re encouraged that they could gain some leverage if the field for bidders is reduced by possible restrictions on the final eight playoff teams to sign free agents.

However, New England faces a challenge in putting together a strong enough contract to land Peppers while also being able to re-sign nose tackle Vince Wilfork and signing quarterback Tom Brady to a long-term contract in the near future. The Patriots could place a franchise tag on Wilfork for $7 million, although he would clearly be unhappy by such a move.

Obviously, if the Patriots were to sign Peppers to say a 4 year, $45 million deal (that would be front-loaded of course), they would be making a big dent to their payroll/salary budget in 2010.  A dream scenario would be signing Wilfork to a long term deal, re-upping Brady for the next five years, and adding an impact pass rusher like Julius Peppers.  However, it would be highly unlikely for all of that to happen, considering the Patriots also want to re-sign Tully Banta-Cain and Leigh Bodden, and possibly work out a contract extension with Logan Mankins.

We’ll see where this goes, but where there’s smoke there’s fire.  The Patriots are clearly intrigued by Peppers, and I don’t think Peppers would have a problem playing here.  Julius Peppers is a dynamic pass rusher who is also stout against the run.  At 6′7″, 283 lbs, Peppers has the strength and athleticism to probably play at outside linebacker or even end in the 3-4 (although he would be better suited to play 4-3 end).  He is a dynamic weapon who would be on the field all three downs.