Published: Tuesday, Feb. 02, 2010 / Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 02, 2010 08:28 AM
Several places Peppers could wind up playing
CHARLOTTE --
If you go with the assumption that Julius Peppers won’t be back with the Carolina Panthers (as his agent said), then the next step is figuring out where he might land.
A quick look at the possible destinations, if he hits free agency as he’s hoped for more than a year:
FAVORITES
Philadelphia
Finding a pass-rushing defensive end is their number one priority this offseason. The Eagles have never been bashful about writing big checks to address problems, though they hesitate to do so for players past a certain age. Peppers turned 30 last month, but it’s unlikely that such a needy team would let that limit them.
New England
The center of last year’s speculation. He fits so many of their criteria it’s not funny. Bill Belichick loves to sign established veterans, especially ones without rings. The Patriots still have Tom Brady, which means they’re going to be title contenders regardless. And like the Eagles, they need to find someone to get to quarterbacks, since they suffered a generationally bad pass-rush year.
USUAL SUSPECTS
Washington
As long as the year’s uncapped, everyone will expect the Redskins to make the biggest splash possible. Pass rush isn’t the biggest need there, but it’s Dan Snyder, so you can’t count him out.
SLEEPERS
Seattle, Houston, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco
When we went through this process a year ago there was inordinate chatter about the Texans, who could pair Peppers with Mario Williams and have a dominant pair of ends. Likewise Denver, a defense in flux with its own star pass-rusher (Elvis Dumervil) about to hit the market as well. The Seahawks have the means and the need for a signature star to go alongside some nice defensive parts. The Bears defense hasn’t been the same recently, and badly needs pass-rush, same as the 49ers.
OUT OF THE MIX
New Orleans, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New York Jets, Dallas, Arizona, Baltimore, San Diego.
One of the restrictions on free agency in an uncapped year is the “Final Eight plan,” which prevents the divisional round playoff teams from signing free agents unless they lose one of equivalent value.
Even the teams among that group that might need Peppers (Jets, Ravens, Cardinals) can’t make a run at him because they don’t have a potential free agent to lose to provide the necessary offset.
McClatchy Interactive is pleased to be able to offer its users the opportunity to make comments and hold conversations online. However, the interactive nature of the internet makes it impracticable for our staff to monitor each and every posting.
Since MIReference.com does not control user submitted statements, we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted on our website. In addition, we remind anyone interested in making an online comment that responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not McClatchy Interactive.
If you find a comment offensive, clicking on exclamation icon will flag the comment for review by the administrators, we are counting on the good judgment of all our readers to help us.