FanHouse Carolina Panthers

The saga of Julius Peppers, the Carolina Panthers' disgruntled defensive end, faded quickly into the background (thanks, Messrs. Favre and Cutler!) as the football loving world moved away from the NFL Draft and closer to training camp.

But Wednesday, seemingly out of nowhere, the Panthers announced that Peppers had -- finally -- agreed to sign his offer sheet and remain a Panther for at least the next season, barring any very surprising transactions. From the good folks at ITP:

With NFL teams going though OTAs and minicamps this offseason, we look at 10 young players who can make an impact in 2009. These players have five years or less than NFL experience.

Thomas Jones believes in the New York Jets. Wants to play for them. But he doesn't trust them.

Make sense?

Jones told people close to him he wants a new contract from the Jets because he might get cut in 2010, the final year of the deal.

Jones' concerns also have to do with two running backs, Leon Washington, who emerged last year as a quality backup with 448 yards rushing and six touchdowns, and third-round pick Shonn Greene from Iowa.

According to XTRA Radio in Phoenix, Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has requested a trade.

Dockett has three years and $11.25 million left in base salaries on his contract.

"It's not something I want to comment on right now," Dockett's agent Drew Rosenhaus told FanHouse Monday night. Rosenhaus said the report didn't originate from him or his client.

Dockett is one of the best players at his position in the game. He's played in 79 of 80 games since he came into the league in 2004 and he registered 55 total tackles, four sacks and 13 quarterback hits last season.

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

John Fox and Marty Hurney have always done a good job selecting first-round talent. Since Fox took over the coaching reins in 2002, they've picked Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Chris Gamble, Thomas Davis, DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason, Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah. So, yeah, not too shabby. This year, the Panthers didn't have a first-round pick, but somehow managed to stumble into first-round talent anyway, landing Everette Brown with the 43rd-overall pick in the draft.

The first day of minicamps are over for the day and we recap some highlights.

Vikings coach Brad Childress could have taken the easy way out Friday when asked about retired quarterback Brett Favre.

Instead he said, "We haven't (talked about Favre); it doesn't mean we won't ... We talk about everything, from what's going on in the United States today. We talk about everything, so yeah, I'm sure we'll talk about that."

Earlier in the day, Bus Cook, Favre's agent said his client was done playing. Also, top draft choice Percy Harvin missed the first day of rookie camp but he seems OK.

The Seahawks landed arguably the top player in the 2009 draft with the fourth pick, then followed it up by drafting a center/guard who should start soon after the team was willing to trade away its third and fourth-round picks to move up.

But if there was one position of dire need that Seattle didn't address in the draft, it was cornerback, where the team was relying on disappointing former first-round pick Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson to occupy the spot opposite Marcus Trufant.

But we found out today why the Seahawks weren't that worried about drafting a corner on Sunday--they signed a veteran instead, bringing back Ken Lucas five years after he left to head to Carolina as a free agent. Lucas' signing is the first benefit from the cap room brought about by dumping the franchise tag on Leroy Hill. The Seattle Times is reporting that the 'Hawks added fullback Justin Griffith as well. Griffith fills the hole left when starting fullback Leonard Weaver left to sign a free agent deal with the Eagles.

With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.

Yes, the Carolina Panthers are late to the party. But I thought it only appropriate given that the Cats have no first round pick in this year's NFL Draft. Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing whatsoever. Last year, the Panthers traded this year's first-rounder (plus 2008's second and fourth round picks) for the Eagles' first round pick (No. 19 overall) and selected Jeff Otah. Carolina made the playoffs and looked like a Super Bowl contender late in the season.

Jake Delhomme is a controversial figure in the Carolina Panthers organization, despite his quiet off-field demeanor and the success he's brought to the team in his time there. Much of that controversy stems from a horrible season-ending game against the Arizona Cardinals in last year's playoffs.

Expect to hear even more fan reaction now, after it was announced today that Delhomme and the team reached an extension. Particularly when it's to the tune of "five years, $42.5 million, with $20 million guaranteed." Yes, Panthers fans are going to freak out. But maybe they shouldn't. Why? Because delusional rationalization is an option.

Jake Delhomme is the undoubted goat of the Carolina Panthers' failures last season, because of the 72 six turnovers he had against the Cardinals in the playoffs. Whether he deserves total blame or not is an entirely different issue, but Panthers fans are still going to blame him.

That should make the news that the Cats are talking contract extension with the 34-year-old quarterback go over quite smoothly with the Carolina faithful.