Peppers on Panthers: 'I didn't have option to stay'
October 6, 2010 3:12 PM
By Brad Biggs
Julius Peppers didn't want to open up on his former team Wednesday when he entered the Halas Hall media room as a substitute in the time slot generally reserved for quarterback Jay Cutler.
The Carolina Panthers have executed a salary dump, putting general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox, in the final year of his deal, in a tough position. They're rebuilding, but the Panthers are 0-4 and there are no guarantees for the men charged with turning it around.
"As far as I see it, they still have pretty good talent over there," Peppers said. "They have two of the best running backs in the league and one of the best receivers. The offensive line is solid and they have talent on defense. I don't really know the situation that the owner's going in.
"Well, obviously he's going in a different direction with the moves that they made in the offseason. But as far as putting the coaches and the general manager in a position to fail, I really can't speak on that because I don't know what he's thinking."
Peppers was a little more direct on a conference call with Carolina reporters, however.
"(The Panthers did) away with anybody who is making a significant amount of money."
Peppers said the Panthers never called him to inform him they were going to let him depart via free agency. He clearly has some animosity lingering, but seems quite at home with his $91.5 million contract.
"They tried to turn the tables and make it look like I wanted out no matter out," Peppers said. "I didn't have the option to stay."
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...n-to-stay.html