Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers nabs an interception in during the 2008 Pro Bowl. Julius Peppers may be trading in Panther blue for the New England Patriot's new century silver if rumors around the Internet are correct. The monster defensive end, who's racked up some impressive numbers, including during the Panthers '2003 run at Super Bowl glory, could be part of a deal worked out for the Patriot's departing QB Matt Cassel . USA Today's blog The Huddle has more information: Could the Patriots spin Matt Cassel into Julius Peppers? NFL.com reports New England could be preparing to acquire the Carolina defensive end for the 34th overall ... Read Full Story

Carolina earned a measure of revenge in Arizona, even if the stakes weren't quite as high. Jake Delhomme, whose downward spiral began with a playoff loss at home against Arizona last season, threw a 50-yard touchdown pass before leaving with a chest injury and Jonathan Stewart ran for two scores in Carolina's 34-21 victory that dropped the Cardinals to 1-3 at home this season. The Panthers, in a turnover-free performance, rolled up 270 yards on the ground against what had been the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL. Arizona's Kurt Warner was intercepted five times and fumbled the ball away once. Julius Peppers ... Read Full Story

Jake Delhomme will remain Carolina's starting quarterback despite an NFL-high 13 interceptions in six games. Coach John Fox announced after practice Wednesday that he still thinks Delhomme gives the Panthers "the best chance to win" and won't bench him, something he contemplated earlier in the week. Delhomme has committed 15 turnovers while throwing only four touchdown passes in Carolina's 2-4 start. He had three more picks Sunday, leading to 14 points in Buffalo's 20-9 win. His latest performance led Fox to waver on Delhomme for the first time since he replaced Rodney Peete as Carolina's starter early in the 2003 season. But Fox is ... Read Full Story

Julius Peppers was invisible. Steve Smith made a costly error. Jon Beason lost his cool. DeAngelo Williams inexplicably rarely got the ball. And Jake Delhomme kept turning it over. There are no shortage of reasons why the Carolina Panthers dropped to 0-3 Monday night with a 21-7 loss to Dallas. It doesn't make their fall from NFC South champions to a team in disarray any less jarring. Now with a bye this weekend, the Panthers get nearly two weeks to think about their predicament, too. "At least we can't lose," tackle Jordan Gross said. With a turnover-machine offense that has abandoned the run and ... Read Full Story

Practice ran long, there was less joking around and receiver Steve Smith used his earsplitting air horn to make it clear it was time for reporters to leave the locker room. After a seven-turnover, 38-10 embarrassment in Week 1, there was a sense the Carolina Panthers have already reached a critical point in the 2009 season. "This is where a lot of teams are made and where a lot of teams fall normally during a season," linebacker Na'il Diggs said Wednesday. "How you start is pretty big." Diggs brought up the opener in San Diego last year, saying Jake Delhomme's game-winning touchdown pass to ... Read Full Story