During an appearance on Thursday evening's SportsCenter, ESPN's John Clayton was asked about a possible destination for potential soon-to-be free agent defensive end Julius Peppers.
Clayton said he "wouldn't be surprised" to see him wearing midnight green in 2010.
"I know most people think it's going to be the New England Patriots, but remember the Patriots are more of a 3-4 defense and he would be a linebacker. You make more as a defensive end in this league and to try and justify a $100 million dollar contract I do think you could see Philadelphia step in. They've done it on Jevon Kearse. They've done it on other people," Clayton said. "Could you imagine him with Trent Cole? That would be a heckuva combination at defensive end."
It certainly would since the two made up the Associated Press' second-team All-Pro defensive end tandem this past season. Peppers was also a starter for the NFC Pro Bowl squad after tallying 10.5 sacks, a pair on interceptions and five forced fumbled last year. Although he just turned 30 years old in January, the 6-7, 283-pound Peppers has 81 career sacks and 30 career forced fumbles. He also has six career interceptions.
If Peppers is not re-signed by the Panthers or given the franchise tag, he will be an unrestricted free agent on March 5. The Eagles certainly have no problem opening up the wallet for premier talent. Adam Caplan, a weekly guest on Eagles Live!, broke down the franchise and transition tag numbers for the 2010 season. He noted that the Eagles paid the second-highest salary last year in the league at the quarterback position (Donovan McNabb), running back position (Brian Westbrook) and along the offensive line (left tackle Jason Peters).
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:10 a.m., February 12
