Adding DE through draft essential for Peppers, Panthers' D-line

Having Peppers in a contract drive isn't the worst thing for the club, though it probably doesn't sit well with Peppers. I remember what happened with San Francisco defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield in 1997 when he and the 49ers couldn't reach a deal: He produced a career-best 15 sacks and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

"It's fair to say most guys usually play better in the last years of their contracts," Fox said. "From my experience, that's what I've seen.

"But let me make this clear: I love Julius Peppers. We are not looking to trade Julius Peppers. We want him with us for some years to come. He did not have his best season a year ago. I won't argue that, and he won't argue that. But we're ready to move on."

So move on to a pass rusher who can help the guy and make him the bookend defensive end he was when Rucker was in his prime. Together, they were one of the most effective pair of pass-rushing defensive ends in the league, but that was then and this was last season: Rucker had a half-sack more than Peppers.

Rucker's also 33 and unsigned.

Sure, the Panthers need a more effective rushing attack. No question, they need Jarrett to do something, anything, as Steve Smith's sidekick. And, yes, they have their fingers crossed that Jake Delhomme sticks around the entire season.

But if I'm John Fox I want an immediate fix for my pass rush.

When he first took over as head coach in 2002, Fox was faced with the prospect of choosing Peppers or Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington with the second pick of the draft. He chose Peppers because, as he said, you can't pass on an impact pass rusher.

Precisely my point.