There are plenty of great storylines this week, but one that’s slipped under the radar some is Julius Peppers’ return to Carolina to face the Panthers. (Florio, however, did address it in his Ten-Pack right here.)
There are a few reasons why the story hasn’t received much attention. Todd Collins versus Jimmy Clausen at quarterback doesn’t help. And Peppers’ famously reclusive personality didn’t make him the star he could have been in Carolina.
“The people who think they know him, don’t,” Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith told Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer this week. “The people that do, don’t say.”
Peppers didn’t seem to love the media coverage he received in Carolina. Questions about his effort have Panthers fans split on whether they will boo or cheer him.
No one can really agree on what happened in Peppers’ contract negotiations with the team either, although Peppers’ side gives a detailed account to Gantt. He says he rejected a six-year, $73 million offer in 2008 and a four-year, $54 million offer in 2009, with $37.5 million guaranteed.
Peppers wound up taking a reported $42 million in guarantees from Chicago, and we can’t help but think both sides are better off. Peppers wouldn’t save this 0-4 Panthers team
His time in Carolina had seemed to run its course.
