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Julius Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears.  I watched his press conference.  It’s the most I’ve ever seen the guy say.  I’m not saying he sounded smart, but I don’t think I have heard that many words come out of his mouth in the past eight years combined.  The Panthers offered him more money a year ago, but good for Pep.  If Chicago is where he wants to be, then so be it.

Pep likes Chicago’s tradition, even though, despite their “tradition,” the Bears have won a grand total of one more Super Bowl than his former team.  I just want to warn Pep that some negatives come with that tradition.  Bears fans know their football, and they are much more passionate and rowdy than Panthers fans.  Also, there aren’t nearly as many UNC alums who own season tickets at Soldier Field as there are at BofA Stadium.  No more free passes, Pep.  Those fans know their football, all eyes will be on you, and they will boo you if you take plays off.  Chicago is also the #3 media market.  No more softballs from Fowler.  You’re going to have 50 mics in your face after every game.  They are going to want to know why you disappeared in the game.  No more free passes from teammates either.  You’re not the ”name brand” on that D; it’s Brian Urlacher.  I don’t think he tolerates taking plays off. 

The Bears come to Charlotte next season.  I will be anxious to see the atmosphere in the stadium.  On our first offensive play, I hope we call a running play to Peppers’ side.

A Day of Cuts:  Jake Delhomme, Kemo, Damione Lewis, Na’il Diggs, Landon Johnson - all cut today.  The cuts happened to quickly that I very well may have forgotten about someone.  While the loss Delhomme won’t mean any more football-wise than any of those others players – arguably, his loss will mean less than the other players – all the talk centered around Jake today. 

This was absolutely the right move.  The financial hit was going to be great either way.  Paying that much for a terrible player was going to be bad, and Delhomme was going to eat up a roster spot that could be used on a young guy.  Letting him take $12.7 million and walk away sucks too, but it had to be done going into a cap-free season.  Plus, if you’re going to commit to Matt Moore as your starter, than you can’t have him looking over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass.  I am all for competition, but QB is probably the one position you want to have solidified – see Cleveland last season. 

Don’t worry though, leave it to Scott Fowler to stand up for Delhomme.  He thinks releasing Delhomme was a “big mistake.”  I am baffled.  First of all, Fowler ranted all season against him.  Now, he has changed his mind.  He is even surprised.  Side note – the titles of the Observer articles on both the Lewis and Delhomme cuts both start with “In a surprising move.”  You guys are professional football writers.  What are you surprised about?  It’s the NFL.  Players get cut every offseason in salary cap moves, and it was expected to be even more prevalent this offseason.  Oh by the way, let’s not feel too sorry for Jake Delhomme.  Despite the tears, he just got $12.7 million to do nothing!  He can sign with another team and he will still get the $12.7 mil.  I think he will be okay. 

I have no problem with writers developing friendships with players they have covered for a long time and saying nice things about them, but it’s ridiculous that Fowler’s football opinions are generally based on whether he likes a player personally. 

Pat Y wasn’t surprised by this one bit, and he thinks it’s a good move.  He also notes that only five players are left from the Super Bowl squad.  Out of those five, Dante Wesley is in his second stint with the team.  With the release of Jake, the window has officially closed, but that’s not a bad thing at all…

Embrace Change:  With the exception of November 2008, it seems as if North Carolinians are very hesitant to change.  While most fans are happy with the decision to release Jake, I get the sense that fans are in a little panic mode.  I have even read facebook posts from people who don’t know what the Panthers are going to do, and how they don’t own jerseys of any current players now that Jake and Pep are gone.  They don’t necessarily mind letting those two go, but they’re not sure about who is left on our team or who we are going to bring in to replace the guys we lost.  Get used to it, the offseason is going to be like that.

The 2003 team entered the season unproven at just about every position.  We had no solution at QB, our receivers weren’t very good, and we had an old veteran at RB in Stephen Davis.  We had a bunch of young guys on D.  They grew up quick, and the Panthers went to the Super Bowl.  I’m not saying that fans should have the same expectations for this upcoming season, but the cupboard is not as bare as some think.  Football is the ultimate team sport.  Most guys can be replaced, and losing one guy usually doesn’t make a huge difference.  Pep is the only important player we lost.  All the other veterans can be easily replaced, and in the case of Delhomme, it may be a case of addition by subtraction.

I personally can’t wait to see the young guys compete for these open spots.  Replacing Pep won’t be easy, but I don’t mind having a couple of young guys compete for the job.  They may not be as talented, but they will be hungry and won’t take plays off!  As a football fan, I am refreshed and ready for the season to start.  I can’t wait to see the next Steve Smiths and DeAngelo Williams and Jon Beasons and Chris Gambles develop.  I don’t know how many games we will win, but it will be fun to watch.

It’s Not a Fire Sale:  Personally, I am shocked that people think the Panthers are unloading players to save money.  John Fox and Marty Hurney were even asked that in their press conference.  Huh?  Again, Pat Y nails it on the head.  They just took a $12.7 million hit to let a guy go without having to do his job.  Say many things about Jerry Richardson, but he ain’t cheap.  The guy wants to win badly, and he will pay whatever it takes to do so.  It just did not make sense to keep those guys around.  The vets were old, and Pep did not want to be here.  It’s a young man’s game.  Let’s develop new stars.

A Day of Cuts:  Jake Delhomme, Kemo, Damione Lewis, Na’il Diggs, Landon Johnson - all cut today.  The cuts happened to quickly that I very well may have forgotten about someone.  While the loss Delhomme won’t mean any more football-wise than any of those others players – arguably, his loss will mean less than the other players – all the talk centered around Jake today. 

This was absolutely the right move.  The financial hit was going to be great either way.  Paying that much for a terrible player was going to be bad, and Delhomme was going to eat up a roster spot that could be used on a young guy.  Letting him take $12.7 million and walk away sucks too, but it had to be done going into a cap-free season.  Plus, if you’re going to commit to Matt Moore as your starter, than you can’t have him looking over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass.  I am all for competition, but QB is probably the one position you want to have solidified – see Cleveland last season. 

Don’t worry though, leave it to Scott Fowler to stand up for Delhomme.  He thinks releasing Delhomme was a “big mistake.”  I am baffled.  First of all, Fowler ranted all season against him.  Now, he has changed his mind.  He is even surprised.  Side note – the titles of the Observer articles on both the Lewis and Delhomme cuts both start with “In a surprising move.”  You guys are professional football writers.  What are you surprised about?  It’s the NFL.  Players get cut every offseason in salary cap moves, and it was expected to be even more prevalent this offseason.  Oh by the way, let’s not feel too sorry for Jake Delhomme.  Despite the tears, he just got $12.7 million to do nothing!  He can sign with another team and he will still get the $12.7 mil.  I think he will be okay. 

I have no problem with writers developing friendships with players they have covered for a long time and saying nice things about them, but it’s ridiculous that Fowler’s football opinions are generally based on whether he likes a player personally. 

Pat Y wasn’t surprised by this one bit, and he thinks it’s a good move.  He also notes that only five players are left from the Super Bowl squad.  Out of those five, Dante Wesley is in his second stint with the team.  With the release of Jake, the window has officially closed, but that’s not a bad thing at all…

Embrace Change:  With the exception of November 2008, it seems as if North Carolinians are very hesitant to change.  While most fans are happy with the decision to release Jake, I get the sense that fans are in a little panic mode.  I have even read facebook posts from people who don’t know what the Panthers are going to do, and how they don’t own jerseys of any current players now that Jake and Pep are gone.  They don’t necessarily mind letting those two go, but they’re not sure about who is left on our team or who we are going to bring in to replace the guys we lost.  Get used to it, the offseason is going to be like that.

The 2003 team entered the season unproven at just about every position.  We had no solution at QB, our receivers weren’t very good, and we had an old veteran at RB in Stephen Davis.  We had a bunch of young guys on D.  They grew up quick, and the Panthers went to the Super Bowl.  I’m not saying that fans should have the same expectations for this upcoming season, but the cupboard is not as bare as some think.  Football is the ultimate team sport.  Most guys can be replaced, and losing one guy usually doesn’t make a huge difference.  Pep is the only important player we lost.  All the other veterans can be easily replaced, and in the case of Delhomme, it may be a case of addition by subtraction.

I personally can’t wait to see the young guys compete for these open spots.  Replacing Pep won’t be easy, but I don’t mind having a couple of young guys compete for the job.  They may not be as talented, but they will be hungry and won’t take plays off!  As a football fan, I am refreshed and ready for the season to start.  I can’t wait to see the next Steve Smiths and DeAngelo Williams and Jon Beasons and Chris Gambles develop.  I don’t know how many games we will win, but it will be fun to watch.

It’s Not a Fire Sale:  Personally, I am shocked that people think the Panthers are unloading players to save money.  John Fox and Marty Hurney were even asked that in their press conference.  Huh?  Again, Pat Y nails it on the head.  They just took a $12.7 million hit to let a guy go without having to do his job.  Say many things about Jerry Richardson, but he ain’t cheap.  The guy wants to win badly, and he will pay whatever it takes to do so.  It just did not make sense to keep those guys around.  The vets were old, and Pep did not want to be here.  It’s a young man’s game.  Let’s develop new stars.