Peppers says he wants to explore free agency

[Paintrain]

Defensive end Julius Peppers ready to leave Carolina Panthers - ESPN

Of course we don't want a thread for every free agent who says he wants out, but in this case Peppers is one of those game changer/play maker/physical freaks that can change our defense. If the Panthers allow him to test the market he jumps Haynesworth (motivation questions once he gets his $) and Gross (position change and $ questions) to the top of the Redskins board.

I know the big "need" for a DT but drafting a DT (which this draft lacks an elite group) can be done in the 2nd (assuming trade) or 3rd round. There's no-one in this draft that rivals what Peppers can bring to the table for us.

Assuming Taylor doesn't return, which at $8 million is a virtual certainty, Peppers is a perfect compliment to Carter. He already plays the opposite end, is strong against the run and can drop down to DT in a pinch.

[vallin21]

I personally would not spend money on a 29 yr old Peppers. We have greater needs on both lines, which is why I would sign Haynesworth (or at least make an offer). Remeber Pepper was bad in 07, and 08 was a contract year so I'm kinda heisitant to give money to him, Haynesworth made the pro bowl in both 07 and 08 with no chance of FA or a trade.

[SouperMeister]

I would jettison JT today if we were committed to going after Peppers. Then if a stud DT is available when our first pick comes up, it would be tempting to make our DL dominant. I would argue that the biggest reason Baltimore returned to an elite D was the drafting of Haloti Ngata at #12 overall. I believe JT is much better suited to being a 3-4 pass rushing OLB given his advanced age and lack of bulk. He is a poor fit for what Blache wants to do.

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by vallin21

I personally would not spend money on a 29 yr old Peppers. We have greater needs on both lines, which is why I would sign Haynesworth (or at least make an offer). Remeber Pepper was bad in 07, and 08 was a contract year so I'm kinda heisitant to give money to him, Haynesworth made the pro bowl in both 07 and 08 with no chance of FA or a trade.

both years were contract years for haynesworth he was franchised this year. this guy has stubblefeild written all over him.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by RedskinMike

both years were contract years for haynesworth he was franchised this year. this guy has stubblefeild written all over him.

EXACTLY! I can't see him sustaining his level once he gets paid. He was average prior to '07 and made more headlines for head stomping Gurode than his play until he was in a contract year.

[MTK]

This illustrates the insanity of the relationship between the Redskins and the fans. People get all bent when the team spends money on these big name free agents, but at the same time the fans are always pushing for these type of signings.

[Daseal]

Absolutely not. Peppers is old and some years seems to lack motivation, he's also reportedly looking for Dwight Freeney + money. If we go after a big name, how about the 27 year old Karlos Dansby -- either way I dont think we can afford any of them.

[SC Skins Fan]

Anyone watch Peppers get shut down by Mike Gandy in the Divisional Playoffs? The announcers kept talking about how great/wonderful/dangerous/god-like Peppers was and I kept watching Gandy handle him.

[vallin21]

Originally Posted by RedskinMike

both years were contract years for haynesworth he was franchised this year. this guy has stubblefeild written all over him.

I would still make an offer to Haynesworth whether he's the next Stubblefield or not, the guy is 26 and has much more upside and talent before Stubblefield came to DC, but I'm not going to debate that.

Bottom Line is that I wouldn't give a 29 yr old Peppers a new contract. DE is not a pressing need.

[RedskinMike]

no way would i take the risk with haynesworth. the money is way to high with a lot of character issues, though i feel d tackle is our biggest need on defense

[Ruhskins]

I think is funny how people are willing to go with Haynesworth (including me at one point) despite all the character issues he has. Peppers has had consistent good years, save for last year when he did not produce much. You can say that he had a contract year this year, but before last year he was having similar numbers to this year.

Now, I do not think we should go after Peppers, I think we should go after Gross. At DT, we can go after someone like Rocky Bernard, who quietly had a good year in a crappy team with a crappy defense.

Initially I was all about us getting Haynesworth, but the more I think about it, the more it looks like he would be a bust.

[skinsfaninok]

I don't know about Peppers he is a Freak athlete, but hasn't put up GREAT numbers since he was on HGH!! But he would be better than Taylor and Carter!!! I say make arun at him and release Taylor.

[Meks]

no to peppers and haynesworth both.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Anyone watch Peppers get shut down by Mike Gandy in the Divisional Playoffs? The announcers kept talking about how great/wonderful/dangerous/god-like Peppers was and I kept watching Gandy handle him.

And Gandy is a 3rd round pick with an under achieving history as a LT tackle who's on his 3rd team in 8 years. Either Mr. Grimm did a hell of job coaching him (my opinion) or Peppers is just average.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Anyone watch Peppers get shut down by Mike Gandy in the Divisional Playoffs? The announcers kept talking about how great/wonderful/dangerous/god-like Peppers was and I kept watching Gandy handle him.

I think that might just be more the nature of line play than a flaw in Peppers game.

People around here act like if we had a talented DL, we'd never face a well thrown pass all season, but even a talented DL can go missing for weeks, sometimes months at a time.

So I would say buyer beware on Peppers, because he's not going to fix a bad defense by himself. He'll improve your pass rush for sure though.