Julius Peppers isn’t done playing football just yet.
The 38-year-old free agent re-signed with the Panthers on Wednesday
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The deal is for $5 million, with $2.5 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team does not release financial terms of contracts.
”I am fired up to have him back,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera told The Associated Press. ”It was amazing to have him as part of what we are trying to build and I think he can help us get to the next level.”
The Panthers also officially announced acquisition of Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith in exchange for cornerback Daryl Worley, which was reported last week .
Peppers had contemplated retirement after the Panthers went 11-5 last season and made the playoffs as a wild card team.
Earlier this year Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis and center Ryan Kalil both said this will be their last season. Peppers could also be another player making a farewell tour in 2018.
Peppers is entering his 17th NFL season, including his 10th with the Panthers.
A nine-time Pro bowl selection, he returned to Carolina last season and had a productive season with 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Peppers helps provide some depth at defensive end after starter Charles Johnson was released earlier this offseason.
Peppers’ 154 sacks are the fourth-most in NFL history. He needs six sacks to pass Kevin Greene and move into third place on the NFL’s all-time list.
The North Carolina native was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Panthers following a successful college career with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
He played his first eight seasons in Carolina before joining the Chicago Bears in 2010. He played four years there and three more for the Green Bay Packers before returning to Carolina last year.
Peppers has played in 250 career games, tied for seventh-most of any defensive player in NFL history and has played in 160 straight games
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He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Peppers leads all active players with 20 career fumble recoveries and ranks second in forced fumbles (49) in the NFL since 2002. His 11 career interceptions rank second all-time for defensive ends.
Smith brings needed speed to the team’s wide receiver position.
He said in a conference call Wednesday that he’s thrilled to join the Panthers and have a chance to play with quarterback Cam Newton, whom he has worked out with in the past.
”The Eagles were very open about the trade, so I wasn’t blindsided,” said Smith, who had 36 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns while starting 14 games last year for the Super Bowl champions. ”But this is one of the places I wanted to be and I’m happy that it played out that way.”
Smith played one season with former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith in Baltimore and said he’s like a ”legit big brother I can talk to about anything.”
The Panthers lost unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Star Lotulelei to Buffalo on Wednesday after he signed a five-year deal with the Bills.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco laughed at the notion that he holds a grudge against first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson.
”We welcomed Lamar here with open arms,” Flacco said.
The two quarterbacks appeared amiable as they rotated snaps, along with Robert Griffin III, in workouts this week. Flacco was clearly the most polished of the three, zipping passes downfield with almost pinpoint accuracy.
Nonetheless
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He has been assured that he will remain the starter in 2018 but also must consider how his future will be influenced by the presence of the rookie Jackson.
”Obviously, when you pick a quarterback, when you pick anybody in the first round, it means something,” Flacco said. ”I don’t know what that means. I don’t know exactly what it is. That’s not my job to worry about what it is. My job is to keep my approach exactly what it’s been the last 10 years and help my team win football games.”
Flacco, 32 threw for 3,141 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2017. Baltimore’s passing attack was ranked 29th in the NFL, and that played a key part in the team missing the playoffs for a third straight year.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome signed three free agent receivers – Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead – to help improve the passing game. He also selected a pair of tight ends – Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews – in the first three rounds of this year’s draft.
The Ravens also took Jackson with the 32nd overall pick. He ran for 50 touchdowns and threw for 69 more during an impressive three-run at Louisville.
While Jackson needs more time to develop into effective passer
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”Listen, I want to win football games,” Flacco said. ”Whatever’s going to help us win. I’m probably going to maintain that myself under center is our best chance to win football games. But whatever helps us win football games, I’m game.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Jackson over the recent offseason workouts.
”He is a very talented guy,” Harbaugh said. ”He has practiced well everytime he has been out here. The toughest thing for him right now is calling the plays. He has never been in that type of system. So, I would say he has made a big jump calling the plays and annunciating the offense.”
Harbaugh is not worried about having any type of quarterback controversy on his hands. He dismissed any potential friction between Flacco
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”It was much ado about nothing,” Harbaugh said. ”I never thought it was anything and I know it’s not anything.”
As for Flacco, he is just concerned about getting the Ravens back on track and ending the postseason drought. He welcomes anyone ready to contribute to that goal.
”I’m worried about right now, myself getting these guys ready to win football games,” Flacco said. ”Nothing is ever promised to us. That’s the reality.”
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