WRAL Sports Fan

Carolina Panthers

Peppers text message says he'll be at training camp

By Tim Hall

Jun 12, 2009

Maybe there is a reason team officials with the Carolina Panthers are confident defensive end Julius Peppers will show up to training camp on time.  Peppers has been a no-show to all of the team's summer school workouts and he has yet to sign a one year tender with the team.

But a recent text message he sent to a defensive teammate could give some answers about his willingness to play this year in Carolina.  Play-by-play voice Mick Mixon was at a function not long ago and he shared that message to 99.9FM The Fan ESPN Radio.

"My friend, one of the linebackers said 'hey look at this we got a text from Julius'," Mixon told The Insiders on Thursday.  "The text said 'hey, out here in Arizona working out, I won't be early for camp but I won't be late, and I'll be ready to go."

Peppers' attitude about his readiness for training camp could come as a relief for Panthers fans and teammates.  It was only months ago when the four-time pro-bowler created a list of other teams he wanted to play for.

The Panthers will hold one more week of summer school workouts next week, then break until training camp comes August 2 in Spartanburg, SC.