PEPPERS NO MORE, BUT HOPE FOR A RAVEN

Well, the Lambeau faithful can forget about Julius Peppers wearing green and gold next year. Those dreams have come to an end as Carolina has put the franchise tag on him this afternoon, which means he will be paid near $16-17 million in 2009. It has been widely publicized that Peppers wants to be traded, to a team who plays the 3-4, and he has named the four teams to which he would accept being traded (though only the Cowboys have been made public). But with the amount of money the Packers have to spend under the cap, do not expect Ted Thompson to make a run for a deal. He is known not to indulge in big free agent contracts, and if a trade were to be made, a long term contract would most definitely ensue. This will not happen in Green Bay, unfortunately.
However, Baltimore has placed the franchise tag on Terrell Suggs, which will also cost them a hefty penny. This could limit their abilities to resign Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard. Many Packer fans have been calling for a hot pursuit of the former Badger Leonhard, and it is a possibility. We need a safety, and he knows the 3-4 from being in Baltimore. However, Rex Ryan has moved from being defensive coordinator for the Ravens to the new head coach of the Jets, and Leonhard may be inclined to follow his coach up the east coast. Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are both tremendous linebackers, but both play the inside. The Packers are looking for Nick Barnett to recover from his ACL injury and play alongside AJ Hawk in the middle. Outside LB is more of a priority. Lewis and Scott are also both being rumored to consider moving up the coast to New York to follow former coach Rex Ryan. The only way I see either Lewis or Scott coming to GB is if Dom Capers wants to move Hawk to the outside. Leonhard is more of a possibility, but you can't forget TT's lack of tendency to make a play in the market.