Happy Birthday, Julius Peppers
January 18th, 2014Joe realizes stud-edge-rusher-hungry Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier could be satisfied going into 2014 with Adrian Clayborn as their lead dog at right defensive end. But Joe surely wouldn’t bet a nickel on that happening.
These guys want a beast who will command double-teams, strike fear into opponents, adeptly play off their star defensive tackle, and register double-digit sacks.
Will Lovie make a move in free agency or gamble in the draft?
Or both?
Remember, Lovie is the same guy who huddled with his former general manager, and trusted defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, and decided it was worth trading a second-round pick to the Bucs for underachieving Gaines Adams five games into the 2009 season.
It was a terribly foolish play by the Bears, but that’s how desperate Lovie is to have his edge rusher, one that can get to the QB without stunts and blitzes.
And that brings Joe to Julius Peppers, who turns 34 today. After Adams flopped in Chicago during the ’09 season, Lovie and the Bears broke the bank for then-free-agent Peppers.
This season, Peppers’ performance dropped off along with the rest of the Bears defense after Lovie’s departure, and now word out of Chicago is the team will cut him before they pay him the $14 million he’s due next season.
Chicago Tribune Bears beat writer Brad Biggs, however, wrote yesterday that Peppers has plenty left to offer.
I don’t see how the Bears can justify paying a 34-year-old Peppers (he turns 34 Saturday) $14 million in 2014. But at the same, he’s still got value, and I can tell you that opposing coaches remain very concerned about Peppers when they prepare to face the Bears. He was the only player that worried teams up front after injuries swept through the defense. The question is can the Bears come up with an economical solution that works for them and the player? I don’t know if that is what general manager Phil Emery wants to do. And I have no idea if Peppers is open to a pay reduction. He might say no thanks and prefer a fresh start elsewhere. The Bears might not approach him for a pay cut for fear that they’ll get reduced effort in return.
Joe’s pretty confident Peppers will be available soon, and everything Joe’s read out of Chicago says Peppers is a Lovie kind of guy.
Joe liked the idea of the Bucs landing John Abraham last offseason. He was 35, very versatile, and Joe heard Abraham go on a passionate rant on SiriusNFL Radio about year ago, talking about how much he wanted to get into the Hall of Fame. Abraham’s subsequent 11 1/2-sack, Pro Bowl season in Arizona likely punched his ticket to Canton.
Peppers is in a somewhat similar boat. He likely needs one more big season to land into the Hall conversation. Does that motivate him?
Of course, Jared Allen and others will be available.
Joe has no idea what the Bucs will do, but there will be a furious infusion of pass-rushing talent. Joe would wager on that.
January 18th, 2014 at 11:39 am
It is pretty apparent they are going to spend money at DE. There should be plenty of options for a 4-3 DE available in free agency, I would assume Peppers or Allen would be the target.
January 18th, 2014 at 11:41 am
Surely there’s a younger, more affordable option to Peppers. Unless we can get him for a bargain (under $10mil)…we should go elsewhere….
January 18th, 2014 at 11:41 am
I would prefer Peppers over Allen, but Allen is 3 years younger.
January 18th, 2014 at 11:51 am
Or we could break the bank for Greg Hardy and have our RDE spot solidified for the next 8-10 years.
January 18th, 2014 at 11:54 am
Walter,
Peppers is 2 years older as Allen will be 32 in April.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Clowney is the answer. Go get him Bucs.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
I’m not to proud to beg! I would send the plane for Bennett and ask for forgiveness, then back it up with a nice long-term contract with guaranteed money. I’ll bet he can be had for 7 to 8mil. Go pay the man!
January 18th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
LOL Mumbles and they can always blame it on Schiano just like everything else.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
yeah, let’s throw millions at Peppers, another declining star on the downside of his career. Seems to always be the Buc’s modus operandi. Lovie needs to stay away from retreads and find younger men that he can groom, and last several years, rather than looking for some miracle one-year stop-gap.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Read what Walter wrote before you try to correct him
January 18th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
I’m liking the Hardy talk. But he wants to get paid! Like really paid! So to have options like Peppers and Allen is a good thing
January 18th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
mumbles although I like Bennett he is not in the same league has Peppers or Allen. Teams do not FEAR Bennett. Bennett is an outstanding piece to a loaded D-line in Seattle but he is not a stand alone star that puts fear into offensive coordinators. I’d prefer to go get Allen, Peppers or Hardy. I agree that Clowney has the potential to put fear in o coordinators that being said so have a lot of the early round busts we and other teams have picked that did not work out. I my opinion we need a stop gap, proven DE who can instantly give the Bucs D credibility while developing. I like Gholston with real coaching and a solid veteran mentor I believe he has a tremendous upside.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Let’s not forget about Michael Bennett. He only signed a one year deal with Seattle and is about 4 years younger than Allen. With a new coaching staff he could potentially return. I hated to see him go. Especially for so cheap and with all the cap space we had.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Go for both and cut Bowers and Means
January 18th, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Damn, we have been searching for an edge rusher for like ten years. I remember being so excited when we got Bowers. Or when I thought “Stylze” was gonna turn the corner and become great. Bennett is an option, but like tmaxcon said, not elite.
I’ll take Peppers, Allen AND Clowney….can never have enough pressure…especially in this division.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Clowney is a Quitter….ie..Keith McCants…Gaines Adams..Eric Curry….Clowney is a Quitter
January 18th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
I always like a one year stop gap measure.
At least you stop the gap unlike the last five years.
January 18th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Do you think Peppers would like to play the Panthers twice a year, everything else being equal?
January 18th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Bring in Peppers, Bennett, and Allen
January 18th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Clowney played last year in college only because the NFL wouldn’t let him in the draft. He saw Lattimore ruin his career by injuries and didn’t want to do the same. A lot of people were saying last year Clowney should sit out the year and wait for this year to move to the NFL but he played and protected himself for his future, can you blame him? Lovie and Frasier will be able to handle him and make him a HOF DE as he is the perfect fit for their defensive line sceme. As for Texans taking him he would be a waste in a 3-4.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
The only Hardy talk that will be going on in Tampa is Nickerson. No way he leaves Carolina. Not with that Def budding like that you don’t leave your boys. Golson did it but SF had that position capped like the Tampa 2 does with SAM backer.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
I see Clayborn as part of the plan but not our fierce edge rusher who will play the majority of snaps at end. So, I agree with Joe that there ill be at least one major splash. I expect that splash to be via free agency as opposed to draft. Unless of course Clowney falls to us or we trade up for him. Both of which unfortunately I doubt. Peppers makes sense with his connection to Lovie. However, the better move is Jared Allen. I won’t waste space posting stats but look them up. Jared is clearly the superior talent. There is truth to the statement of opposing offenses planning for Julius Peppers but with Allen entire gameplans have to be molded to combat Allen. Jared Allen is one of the nastiest, most disruptive forces I have ever seen. If Minnesota doesn’t step t the plate, Allen could anchor us for 3-5 years. I dont see us getting the production or longevity from Peppers. The moral of this story is freaking get beastly Jared Allen.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Yar,
So it’s ok that he didn’t give his all because he wanted the money? So next year when he has the money what makes you think he will give his all? I think the kid is ridiculously talented. I just don’t know if I want a guy who doesn’t give 100% all the time. No matter the reason.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
No, he just didn’t want to ruin a HOF career playing for nothing. Why risk a career ending injury, he had nothing more to prove in college. He won’t get huge money until his second contract anyway so he should play hard in order to get that. Lovie and Frasier will be able to get the most from him.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Carolina is having cap issues. Just the other day their GM said said every team lets great players grow. Read up before you say no way Hardy leaves Carolina. Just sayin
January 18th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Go*
January 18th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Greg Hardy isn’t hitting FA this year, he will be franchised by the Panthers if they cannot come up with the right contract. The Bucs management should learn from the Rays and go after players on the cheap, coming off of a down year.
January 18th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
You do realize they can’t afford to Fran tag him. They were left in cap hell b4 their new gm
January 18th, 2014 at 1:51 pm
I’m not saying sign Hardy ASAP. Just saying the Panthers are having cap issues and need to resign stevek players. He will probably hit FA
January 18th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
IF hardy is not available I would like to see the Bucs restructure some contracts for more cap room and sign both Peppers and Allen. 3rd and longs with these two on the field at the same time….
January 18th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Here’s what I would do. Trade this years 1st, 2nd, and 4th to get the #2 pick and take Clowney. Toss in Mike James if needed (Rainey is a free agent).
In free agency, sign Mark Sanchez as backup (he will be released) and have he and Glennon compete.
Sanchez bombed in NY, but it could be the coach there. It’s worth seeing if a QB who got deep into the playoffs twice can turn things around under a better coach.
Jets just resigned their coach, so I’m sure Sanchez is begging to be released.
Between Sanchez and Glennon, we could find a decent QB. If not, we have not traded away our first rounder for next year, so we can use that if needed.
Of course, I’m talking out my rear quarters.
January 18th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
The Panthers have 21 free agents, nine of which were year-end starters, according to OvertheCap.com, but Spotrac (subscription required) projects over $12.5 million in cap space. That is enough to return the important free agents, like DE Greg Hardy, and add that premium wideout to work with Newton as Steve Smith tails off at the end of his career.
On this same website it had the Saints listed third…..as WORST cap situation. Atlanta is an absolute mess. Liking our chances next year.
January 18th, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Peppers has value at the right price. Still need to draft DE also.
January 18th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
http://overthecap.com/freeagents.php?Position=43DE&Year=2014
January 18th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
just send a plane bennett and tell him that we had a stubborn coach last year, i swear i cant believe dominick and schiano let bennett go its ashame and sadly embarrassing.
January 18th, 2014 at 2:33 pm
@buccaneers bronzai
i rather have vick or schaub over sanchez if youre going to bring a veteran qb to compete. just my opinion
January 18th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Who would you prefer? Allen or Peppers? I lean towards Allen as he is younger and has done more in recent years.
I am guessing we could get one of the for about less than $8M since the biggest FA DE last year was Chris Avril and he signed for 2yrs – $15M
January 18th, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Hardy will most likely be franchised…costing anyone who wants him a 1st round pick to trade for him as well as a big contract…The sad thing about Hardy we could have drafted him in the 6 round but elected to draft punter brent bowen instead…Mind you, the punter didnt even make the team…Dominic was pretty good when it can to contracts but as far as drafts are concerned he was below average…
January 18th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
As for Free Agents…I do like Josh McCown and Julian Edleman….
January 18th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Josh mccown doesnt kno if he wants to play and saying mark Sanchez is beyond a joke I don’t want Sanchez as our waterboy
January 18th, 2014 at 5:16 pm
The Panthers will make room for Hardy, and Hardy will likely take a little less from them just to stay a Panther as he’s stated he wants to remain there.
January 18th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
We need a stop gap veteran DE starting on the right side THIS year, period. We can’t afford to draft that position and take a few years to develop b/c of the age of Revis and Goldson. Neither of them will be as good as they are now in three years. So then we’ll be hearing about not getting stop gap Safety or CB help. There’s a place for the retreads is all I’m saying.
January 18th, 2014 at 6:09 pm
As long as we don’t draft any DEs from Clemson, I’m good.
January 18th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Get Hardy and either Allen or Peppers
January 18th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Did some poor Zombie say sign Sanchez?
Lmao.
Must be because of that cute lil girlie hair now he wears everywhere now.
Can’t be because of his ” skills” at QB
He’s the only guy in the league, with less skills and more drama- than Josh “snowstorm” Freeman
Lol!
Never thought I’d see a post THAT far out to lunch.
Yeah, Mark” The Princess”
That’d be just perfect!
January 18th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Peppers or Allen would immediately improve our pass rush.
So, of course, I’m all for it.
January 18th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
There is no chance in Hell that Sanchez comes to Tampa
January 18th, 2014 at 6:38 pm
I called it first.
Peppers AND Allen
Bring the two best DE’s from the NFC North down south.
2 legends? On the same line?
With youngins like Clayborne, Bowers and Golston rotating to keep them fresh through a 16 game season?
Sounds SperBowlish to me.
January 18th, 2014 at 10:26 pm
As a bears fan as well as a Bucs fan, peppers has nothing left in the tank. Get Allen if you must. Peppers was ineffective the majority of the year. he was knicked up a bit early on, but that’s no excuse.
He will NOT be worth the exorbitant fee he will be asking for. If they can get him on the cheap and then bring Allen in as well- I say go for it.
January 19th, 2014 at 1:55 am
Clowney and heat dont mix well….please dont trade up for him… (now if he falls to us, so be it)
January 19th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
I’d go after Allen first. Not too many 34 DE’s in the league who scare anyone. That said, if the price is right – go after both, the Bucs need plenty of help at DE.