Saints looking forward to Pepper-less Panthers
By Charles Chandler
cchandler@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Feb. 05, 2010

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The New Orleans Saints aren’t lodging objections about Julius Peppers’ possible exit from the Carolina Panthers.

“I’m not going to cry,” said guard Carl Nicks. “That guy’s a game-changer, man.”

The Saints, who play Indianapolis Sunday in Super Bowl XLIV, are members of the NFC South with the Panthers and thus have had to gear up to face Peppers twice a season.

The idea of the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end no longer obstructing their path to the divisional title would be a welcome change. He intercepted a pass against the Saints this season and has five sacks and four forced fumbles against them in his eight-year career.

“Obviously, he’s given us some headaches over the past few years,” said quarterback Drew Brees. “If he does go somewhere else, I’m sure we’ll have to play him a few more times down the road. You’ve always got to be ready for a guy like that.”

Peppers’ agent, Carl Carey, said recently that he doesn’t expect the Panthers to place their franchise tag on his client for the second consecutive year and instead to allow Peppers to become an unrestricted free agent March 5.

Carolina officials have insisted that no decision has been made about Peppers’ future. They must decide between Feb. 11 and 25 whether to franchise him.

However, uncertainty about his status has stirred talk all around the league, including among the two Super Bowl teams.

Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis weighed in on the subject Thursday.

“It’ll be kind of strange” if Peppers changes teams, said Freeney. “I know he grew up in Carolina, went to school in Carolina, played in Carolina, so he’s kind of like Mr. Carolina.”

“He’s an A-1 defensive end,” said Mathis. “He’s going to command a lot of respect and a lot of suitors.”

Saints defensive end Will Smith called Peppers the face of the Panthers’ organization.

“Hopefully, if he does leave, he doesn’t go to any other teams in our conference and he can terrorize another conference,” said Smith.

Tackle Jon Stinchcomb had an even more radical idea about how to avoid facing Peppers in the future.

“Maybe he could go play in the Japan League,” said Stinchcomb, who called Peppers the best defensive end he’s ever faced.

“As far (away) as he can move, that would be fine by me.”

Nicks said he can’t believe the Panthers will actually allow Peppers to leave without getting anything in return, which will happen if they allow him to become unrestricted.

“To be honest, if I was the guy in charge, I can’t let that guy go,” said Nicks. “That’s crazy. He’s like one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. You could probably argue that he’s one of the best in history.”

Nicks said if he did let Peppers go, “I’m going to get a lot for him.”

The Panthers’ dilemma is that franchising Peppers would require them to make him a one-year tender offer of more than $20 million in order to keep him or to try to trade him.

Carolina also could try to reach a long-term contract extension with Peppers, but Carey said recently there had been no such discussions.

Because of the expense of the franchise tag, Smith said he would understand the Panthers’ reasoning if they don’t tag Peppers, though he wouldn’t necessarily agree with it.

“He’s a hometown boy,” said Smith. “You would think they would want to keep him there and wouldn’t let him leave out of that state.

“I would find a way to keep him there, but I don’t think that’s going to work out from what I’ve heard so far.”

If Carolina enters next season without Peppers, several Saints admitted the Panthers’ defense would be diminished.

“It’ll be a little bit of a drop off,” said Nicks. “I can’t kid around with you or lie to you.”

“It’ll definitely be a plus for us,” said Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans.

“It would definitely loosen us up a little bit against Carolina because you have to plan for this guy,” said safety Roman Harper.

But Stinchcomb pointed out the Panthers have a strong linebacking corps and some talented young defensive ends.

“I don’t exactly think (it) throws Carolina in the cellar if they do lose him,” said Stinchcomb.

If Peppers hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent in what’s expected to be an uncapped year, Saints running back Reggie Bush said the contract numbers could be staggering.

“It’s going to be ridiculous,” said Bush. “Seeing (defensive tackle) Albert Haynesworth get a $100 million contract (from the Redskins last year), I’m sure he’s going to top that.”