The deal has such a nice-sounding symmetry to it -- Jay Cutler for Julius Peppers. One disgruntled Pro Bowler for another, switching conferences and time zones so they would be more or less out of sight and out of mind from their previous teams. Plus, Carolina needs to find a QB to replace Jake Delhomme once he's finished and Denver needs defense desperately.
Will it happen? I'm 98 percent sure it won't. But would I be totally opposed to it happening? No, I wouldn't be. Cutler is going to be quite an asset for his next team, I believe. For any team, including Carolina, to close the door on a 25-year-old QB who has already made the Pro Bowl and has no injury problems -- that'd be silly.
Our fine beat writer Charles Chandler believes that Cutler wouldn't be a good fit in Carolina and he may well be right about that. But John Fox allows a lot of different guys in his tent if he thinks they can make a difference (Keyshawn Johnson, for one -- oops -- and Steve Smith for another). I think if Fox got hold of Cutler, he could straighten him up, as could Jake Delhomme in the QB meetings.
The problems for such a deal would be numerous, however, which is why it almost certainly will never happen:
1) A lot of teams have more pressing needs than Carolina at QB -- as in, they need a QB right now. So I expect a bidding war to commence here and for Cutler to at least command a first-round pick and maybe more. (Tampa Bay, the N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Cleveland and Detroit would all be far more likely landing places).
2) According to Charles' post, Denver is NOT one of the teams that Peppers has said he would play for. This is very key. While Cutler remains under contract (and at a relatively cheap price, which adds to his allure), Peppers MUST sign a long-term deal with any team he gets traded to or that trade doesn't get made. So Peppers has all sorts of leverage -- he would have to agree to this and there's no sense that he suddenly would.
3) Cutler is considered more valuable league-wide than Peppers. He plays QB, after all. And he's only 25. And he's got that rocket on his right shoulder.
Yes, he seems petulant and very young after this tiff with his head coach in Denver, but I'll bet you he's on his best behavior wherever his next job is. Peppers is 29 and going into his eighth year -- even as freakishly athletic as he is, you have to wonder how many years he has left.
So I think Denver probably won't be interested, and I think Carolina (or at least Peppers) probably won't be interested. Nevertheless, it's interesting.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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16 comments:
Thanks Scott...you are absolutely right, I don't think it will happen either, but it is nice to think about it, and who knows...what if? At least you understand, because Charles doesn't and he is a complete moron, who gives absolutely no insight.
Peppers and Jake and a Draft Pick for Cutler and maybe some other Denver player is more what I was thinking.
a 25yr old Franchise QB is worth it
Anyone that thinks Culter is more valuable league wide, is not a football savoy sports writer. Last few super bowls were won on defense not offense. Peppers for Cutler is a steal, anybody worried about a QB needs to get in line at the 2009 draft they are a dime a dozen this year....
Come on, anyone in their right mind can see that Cutler is a better answer in the long run. Sign him and our O is set for the next decade and then we can focus on the draft for our D. I love Jake, but Cutler is better for us next year and year's to come. It's better to cut a player a year or two early than hang on to him 1 or 2 years too long. Fox's loyalty will not get this deal done and we will probably have to face that "cannon" arm twice a season in Tampa. Yep, we'll be better off leaving him alone. Geez
Well this is a complete stalemate that is going to make Peppers look really bad if he doesnt work with the Panthers. If he is set on going to 4 teams and they want nothing to do with him....then what???? do you really think he will be welcomed back with open arms? Not by me or even his teamates. I dont trust a guy that doesnt want to play here but has to in order to collect a paycheck. Jake would have to be included in the trade as Denver has nobody else to QB. It would actually help if he was in the deal as his contract is more than twice Cutlers so we would not have to renogiate with Jake. Horrible game of chicken being played here and it all has to be worked out before or during the draft.
Hey Scott,
How about this for a trade?
The Panthers send Peppers to the Patriots.
The Patriots send a 1st round pick to Denver.
Then the Panthers send Jake Delhomme , and maybe a 3rd round pick if possible, to Denver.
This gets us a young stud of a quarterback. It lets us get rid of Peppers and his outrageous contract to the Patriots that both want and gives Denver a good quarterback with a 1st and maybe 3rd round pick for help on thier defense.
I smell win all over this Scott.
:)
End of Line.
As much as i like it, Fox and management are too loyal to Jake to make this move or even inquire about it. Plain and simple, they don't have the onions!
I am an agnostic, but I will believe there is a god if we can do this thing. PLEASE MARTY KILL THESE TWO BIRDS (JAKE AND PEP) WITH ONE STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uhh, OB, we DID face that "cannon arm" just last year. He had his second-lowest yardage total of the season, his lowest YPA, and his sixth-lowest rating of the season. Seems like we shouldn't worry too much.
And you're right about one thing, FFTB. It sure would take "onions" to give away a Pro Bowl QB who has been to a Super Bowl, two Conference Championships, and made three playoff appearances for one who has never finished a season at .500 as a starter, much less done any of the rest.
So Michael, do you think Jake takes us back to the championship game next year? The year after? How about three more years? For that matter, how far do you think he can take us? Like I said, I really do love Jake. He has taken us farther than anyone and I'm thankful, but how often does a franchise like the Panthers have a chance for a young QB like Cutler. It would be best in the long run. I think he can do just as good as Jake next year managing the game, but with the deep threat we now lack. Jake's days are numbered whether he, Fox or anyone else likes it.
I have NO desire to have Cutler come to the Panthers. Besides being a whiner because management hurt his feelings, his leadership skills do not even sniff Jake's, regardless of his physical talents. Although I would love to get Pep out of here as well for a couple draft picks, its starting to seem like he might be here for another year....
"his leadership skills do not even sniff Jake's,"
What about his QUATERBACK skills? Fact is, Delhomme has NO deep ball anymore. He either over or under-throws all of them. Hell, he under/overthrows pretty much every pass. We need a QB that can get SMitty the ball on the move. Smitty is the best WR in the damn game right now but he's stuck playing smear the queer with Jake.
Make it happen Panthers. Jake and Pep for Cutler and a pick. Use the cap room to sign Holt. Super Bowl
"Deep threat we now lack???" Jake had the highest YPA in his career (4th in the league), and LED THE LEAGUE in yards/completion...by almost half a yard!
John Fox and management will be making a huge mistake if they don't make a trade for Cutler. I believe if Fox stays loyal to Jake being the starter it will cost Fox his job in a year or 2. Because every year Jake is getting older and he is getting worse.
Since the Redskins are pursuing Cutler, what about trying to scoop up Jason Campbell on the backside?
Yes, "Steve Smith makes Jake Delhomme." Great argument...aside from the fact that we went 2-0 without him and Moose was a TRIPLE CROWN WINNER with Jake throwing him the ball.
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