Not really cause his agent also said they'd consider any new system in general that will allow him to maximize his potential. Just that they prefer a 3-4.
Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:23 am EST
Peppers doesn't want to return to Carolina
After spending his entire life in North Carolina, Julius Peppers wants out. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has decided he won't sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Panthers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 26.
Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers' first-round draft pick in 2002, believes Carolina's defensive system isn't for him — even after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks this season.
"He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina," Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, said Saturday. "But the decision that he faced was, do I stay in Carolina and perhaps never reach my full potential? Or do I open myself to the possibilities to finish my career elsewhere? He chose the latter."
Carey said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.
"He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense," Carey said. "He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities."
Peppers' decision leaves the Panthers with a big decision to make.
The team could place the franchise tag on Peppers, which would virtually force him to stay with the Panthers. Under that scenario, another team could sign Peppers only by giving Carolina two first-round draft picks in return.
But doing that would mean the Panthers would have to give Peppers a one-year deal worth a whopping $16.7 million. And Peppers also could decide to hold out
Source: Associated Press
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/...t=AnQSGJPnwtcYcmVqkL91PxY5nYcB?urn=nfl,135118
Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:23 am EST
Peppers doesn't want to return to Carolina
After spending his entire life in North Carolina, Julius Peppers wants out. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has decided he won't sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Panthers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 26.
Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers' first-round draft pick in 2002, believes Carolina's defensive system isn't for him — even after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks this season.
"He loves the state of North Carolina. His family is there. The easier situation for him would be to stay in Carolina," Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, said Saturday. "But the decision that he faced was, do I stay in Carolina and perhaps never reach my full potential? Or do I open myself to the possibilities to finish my career elsewhere? He chose the latter."
Carey said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.
"He certainly feels that he can excel and thrive in a 3-4 defense," Carey said. "He is also open to just another system in general that will allow him to maximize his athletic abilities."
Peppers' decision leaves the Panthers with a big decision to make.
The team could place the franchise tag on Peppers, which would virtually force him to stay with the Panthers. Under that scenario, another team could sign Peppers only by giving Carolina two first-round draft picks in return.
But doing that would mean the Panthers would have to give Peppers a one-year deal worth a whopping $16.7 million. And Peppers also could decide to hold out
Source: Associated Press
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/...t=AnQSGJPnwtcYcmVqkL91PxY5nYcB?urn=nfl,135118
