Now that the Patriots have freed up $19 million in cap space with the trade of Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel, many in Patriots’ Nation are speculating that the Patriots are setting up for a huge signing. The one being most actively discussed is to make a trade with the Carolina Panthers to secure DE Julius Peppers. Peppers has expressed a desire to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and would be a perfect addition with the loss of Mike Vrabel.
As much as this may be a very sexy scenario, I find it highly unlikely. After the signing of James Sanders, the Patriots are sitting at about $16 million in cap space and have three players - Logan Mankins, Richard Seymour, and Vince Wilfork - all have contracts coming up next year, and the Patriots are likely to use the bulk of their cash to lock these three guys (or at least two of them) up. That would not leave the kid of money that Peppers is likely to demand, but would leave money for free agents that fit the Patriots’ scheme as well as leaving cash for the upcoming draft picks. Additionally, Belichick (with few exceptions) doesn’t tend to get really excited about opposing players that haven’t given him fits, and Peppers has been less than dominating in his direct match-ups against the Patriots.
I would love to see Peppers in a Patriots’ uniform, but I don’t think we are going to see it happen.
