Peppers says he's happy in Charlotte "right now"

By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers said Monday he likes the way he is being used in the team’s new defense, but stopped well short of saying he liked it enough to want to stay.

Peppers, speaking in the locker room after the team watched film of the 38-10 loss to Philadelphia the day before, made it clear he didn’t want to discuss the offseason.

You remember, the offseason in which he begged the Panthers not to use the franchise tag on him, had his agent insist he wanted to play in a 3-4 defense and that he’d never sign a long-term deal in Charlotte, then sent word through emissaries that he would only agree to be traded to a handpicked list of four teams. Ultimately, his desire to leave was exchanged for the $16.683 million paycheck he’ll earn this year.

“I ain’t really trying to get into all that right now,” Peppers said. “I’m trying to talk about the present, what’s going on. Getting past this and looking forward to next week against Atlanta.”

However, since Peppers has barely spoken since the start of training camp — a few postgame appearances — the chance at him wasn’t going to pass reporters easily.

Asked if he regretted any of his decisions this offseason, he replied: “No, not at all.”

Asked if he said anything he wish he hadn’t: “Nope.”

Asked if the sentiments — so clearly wanting out — still stood, he tried to steer the conversation back to the now.

“I’m here right now,” he said. “I’m happy being here right now. I’m not going to discuss anything, really it’s useless to discuss anything that happened in the offseason. All that’s done. It’s over.

“As far as next offseason, we’ll discuss that, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. As far as right now, I’m happy being here and looking forward to trying to finish the season.”

That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for a team that sunk more than an eighth of its salary cap into the former No. 2 overall pick, who has played his entire football career in the state.

Peppers said he had little concern as to how he would be received locally, even though fans have generally welcomed him back warmly at games.

“I really didn’t put too much thought into all that,” he said. “I really didn’t care, really. The only people I care about how they receive me are these guys in the locker room, the coaches, my family and friends.”

Though he and his camp tried every tactic they could think of to wiggle their way out, the Panthers made it clear they wanted him, and had no intention to trade him. There was even a period of negotiations prior to the July 15 deadline for a long-term deal, but those fell well short of a contract.

Peppers said he came to grips with the fact he wasn’t going anywhere early on.

“I don’t really know exactly when it was. Way before training camp,” he said. “I was at peace when they used the franchise tag (in February). I was at peace with it then.”

His Panthers teammates obviously didn’t hold it against him, as they voted him captain for the third straight year.

“I think it’s a tribute to what he has done here; Eight years, being the face of the defense for so long,” linebacker Jon Beason said. “We understand the business part of it. We know that it wasn’t personal in terms of him wanting to leave. We’re friends first, and to be a good team, you’ve got to care about each other off the field.

“It wasn’t anything that wasn’t expected, but it shows on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball that we expect Pep to be a leader and be a captain. It wasn’t a shock at all.”

INJURY UPDATE: Other than placing backup quarterback Josh McCown on injured reserve with knee and foot problems, there were no other updates on injured players.

Panthers coach John Fox mentioned that defensive end Charles Johnson “twisted his knee” but was able to return to the field, and that cornerback Richard Marshall wasn’t on his report at all.

Marshall had to be helped off the field late, and was hobbling badly in the postgame locker room.

ONE-WEEK WILDCAT?: Lost in Sunday’s mayhem was the fact the Panthers rolled out some new looks.

They lined both wide receiver Steve Smith and running back DeAngelo Williams in the Wildcat formation, with both taking shotgun snaps and running it themselves. Smith gained 4 yards on his, while Williams lost 1.

Atlanta defended the formation effectively in Sunday’s win over Miami, keeping quarterback Pat White in check during his three plays, which means the Panthers might be wise to shelve the gimmick this week.

EXTRA POINTS: Fox said the Panthers would be sending the league a copy of the tape to review the Eagles’ 85-yard punt return touchdown. Fox believes there was an illegal block which contributed to the play.

Then again, punter Jason Baker hitting one lower and straighter than normal (even Fox mentioned the hang time wasn’t good) probably contributed to the disaster. ...

Fox was in midseason form during his Monday press conference. Noting that the sack-fumble touchdown and later interception on attempted screen plays, he said he’d have preferred to run “our patented draw play.”