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Today the Carolina Panthers signed LT Jordan Gross, who made his first Pro Bowl this year, to a 6-year contract. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, however, it is being reported that Gross will earn $30.5 million in the first 3 seasons of the contract.

Gross was franchised by the Panthers last year and since the Panthers were able to agree to a long-term deal with him today (the last day to franchise a player), they were able to place their franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers.

Peppers, who wants out of Carolina, is probably the unhappiest person in the world to get a multi-million dollar pay raise to $16.7 million from $13.9 million.

"Julius was expecting to be franchised," Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, wrote in a text message. "We will continue to work toward a resolution that is in line with his professional goals."

Peppers said he would demand a trade if he were franchised. But GM Marty Hurney isn't in a hurry to trade him.

"We've said many times how many times we value Julius," Hurney said. "We would like him to play here."

Peppers would like to play in a 3-4 scheme instead of the 4-3 scheme that the Panthers utilize. It will be difficult for the Panthers to trade Peppers, who has said that there are 4 teams for whom he would play including the Dallas Cowboys.

While Peppers has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, the knock on him is his inconsistent play. For example, he finished last year with a career high in sacks (14.5) while finishing with his career low (2.5) the previous year.

Peppers and Gross were the Panthers' first-round draft choices in 2002 and 2003, respectively.