Steven Orsini
Julius Peppers is 7 years into the NFL, and has put up atounding numbers as a Caronlina Panthers DE. Jason Taylor, for most of his career, played for the Miami Dolphins for most of his carreer, and is not a free agent. He has put up great numbers too, even as he got older. This beg the question, if you colud only have one, which one would you take. I think the most obvius choice would be Peppers. Peppers, is younger and will last years to come. I believe he looks to be on the surface a better pick until you get into the Patriots needs.
The Patriots almost never overpay for players. Peppers want Hanyesworth money. Haynesworth is being paid 180 million in his contract with the Redskins. Is Peppers worth 180 mil? Maybe? Will the Patriots pay him 180 million? Probably not. Peppers, a very talented DE, wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The patriots specialize in the 3-4. Peppers would be converted to an OLB if he were to play here. The thing is, we dont know how he will play as an OLB. Peppers is talented, and athletic enough to do the transition, but is it worth 180 million or more to basically "try" something. You dont really know what the Patriots will get. At the worst, he would have to stay as DE if he failed, but that would almost certainly mean the release or trade of Seymour. At the right price Peppers is a feasible option, but only at the right price.
As for Jason taylor, he is beyond his prime and only getting older. He may have a few good years left him him, but definatley not as muhc as Peppers would. Aside from these downsides, Taylor is a better option. He can still play at a high level, but will also cost significantly less money than would Peppers. He has veteran leadership skills, and would fit very well into the system.
Taylor, is the safer bet of the two players. He wont cost as much and will have an impact on the team. He may not be as young or as good as Peppers, but he wont require the money or the trades needed to put him into a Patriots uniform.
The Patriots almost never overpay for players. Peppers want Hanyesworth money. Haynesworth is being paid 180 million in his contract with the Redskins. Is Peppers worth 180 mil? Maybe? Will the Patriots pay him 180 million? Probably not. Peppers, a very talented DE, wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The patriots specialize in the 3-4. Peppers would be converted to an OLB if he were to play here. The thing is, we dont know how he will play as an OLB. Peppers is talented, and athletic enough to do the transition, but is it worth 180 million or more to basically "try" something. You dont really know what the Patriots will get. At the worst, he would have to stay as DE if he failed, but that would almost certainly mean the release or trade of Seymour. At the right price Peppers is a feasible option, but only at the right price.
As for Jason taylor, he is beyond his prime and only getting older. He may have a few good years left him him, but definatley not as muhc as Peppers would. Aside from these downsides, Taylor is a better option. He can still play at a high level, but will also cost significantly less money than would Peppers. He has veteran leadership skills, and would fit very well into the system.
Taylor, is the safer bet of the two players. He wont cost as much and will have an impact on the team. He may not be as young or as good as Peppers, but he wont require the money or the trades needed to put him into a Patriots uniform.
Steven Orsini
Tuquan Watt
Peppers is the better player no doubt but he's not worth 180 million dollars.. Taylor brings just about the same skills as Peppers. If the patriots were smart they would go after Taylor. It's less stress on their organization