I feel like my old self again after the surgery. I feel motivated and hungry, like I’m about to enter the NFL again as a rookie. Here I am a veteran and I feel like I’m starting all over again with new coaches, new schemes and new terminology.

I’ve come to the realization that everybody likes to talk about what you did or how great you are, the season you had and the Pro Bowl, but to me the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league because none of that stuff matters if you don’t make the next play.

This year I want to have a short memory. Do what is expected of me and then move on to the next play. Try to make a great play, then move on to the next play.

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Carolina fans shouldn’t worry about the production of defensive end Julius Peppers this season because, despite the monster tender he signed that will pay him more than $16 million this season, he’s still playing for a long-term deal — and that should lead to an increase in his production. We all know that some players tend to “shut it down” after scoring a big payday, but Peppers refused to sign his tender at first in hopes he would get that big deal this offseason.

In a three seasons at Arkansas, the 26-year-old caught 24 passes for 199 yards and six scores.

13. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: After a down season in 2007, he bounced back with a good one last season. His contract is an issue, but he will play in 2009. You wait and see.

24. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: As the only true threat in the passing game, he sees way too many doubles and still puts up big numbers. Imagine if he had help.

45. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: He had a huge season in 2008, rushing for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 5.5 average shows his big-play ability.

They wrote a rather scathing take on the subject in today’s edition:

Peppers’ ploy to get out of Charlotte backfired - badly. The decision to go public with his feelings has turned out to be a PR nightmare as now he has to swallow those words. The idea that Peppers may now consider signing a long-term contract with the Panthers — wow, he suddenly loves playing for Carolina! — makes him look like an even bigger phony.

Granted, the Panthers twisted his arm and ultimately he had no choice but to sign the tender.

But the question remains: Can this marriage work when deep down we all know one side doesn’t want to be in it?

Remember, Peppers made it clear after the season he didn’t want to play for the Panthers ever again, that he’d “maxed out” his potential with the team.

Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett’s career has been a major disappointment thus far, as he has made just 16 catches in the two seasons since Carolina drafted him in the second round. Although it seemed a bit overdue, close observers of the team said they saw signs of improvement from him late in the 2008 campaign, and RB DeAngelo Williams told PFW that Jarrett has shown a commitment to turning things around this offseason.

“(Jarrett’s) going to be better than he was last year and the year before,” Williams said. “He’s definitely working his butt off. He’s been in the weight room. He’s been doing all the running, making all his times with seconds to spare. … This is probably one of the better offseasons that he’s had since he’s been here.”

Jarrett has a firm grasp on the No. 3 receiver spot, but he may take snaps away from veteran starter Muhsin Muhammad if he shows signs of breaking out in training camp.

Now though comes the news that Peppers is also open to long-term deal, something that as about a month or two ago seemed impossible. Peppers made it known that he wanted out of Carolina, but now seems to be changing his stance that he really wouldn’t mind hanging around.

“Julius has always had tremendous respect for the individuals in the organization, and he had the opportunity to sit down face to face and talk with the people he’s had great respect for,” agent Carl Carey said to the Charlotte Observer. “Sometimes it takes a discussion to begin to understand each other’s perpectives.”

Peppers himself spoke in glowing terms about looking to sign a long term deal to stay a cat. “I’ve had positive and productive discussions with the organization,” Peppers said in the statement. . “I am optimistic and focused as I look forward to the upcoming NFL season.”

The question will be - is anyone out there really interested in spending the type of money Peppers wants on the DE? If the Panthers had gotten a solid offer for Peppers, wouldn’t they have moved him at some point before the draft?

Sounds like Peppers and the Panthers might be the best, and only match for each other. Even if the Panthers had visions of moving Peppers, they for whatever reason didn’t find what they wanted on the market. For Peppers, the best chance for big money is probably to stay put and play with a team that has the makings of being a playoff team again in 2009.

The other fourth-round pick that signed was Tony Fiammetta, a fullback. The team then cut defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo and long snapper Patrick MacDonald to make room on the roster for the two rookie draft picks.

But I will be.

My shoulder feels pretty good, all the fast-twitch muscles can get sore but there’s been nothing unexpected. I’ll be 100 percent for training camp.

We’re glad to have JP back and I think he’s happy too. In some ways that’s the way I expected the procedure to unfold. The Panthers would have had to trade him for lesser value because his value is through the roof. A team would have had to give up several high draft picks and then pay him close to $100 million, so it’s a double edged sword.

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The Panthers have a three-week window to discuss a contract extension with Julius Peppers because of the NFL’s July 15 deadline for all teams to sign players who were given the franchise player designation to a long-term deal. If Carolina doesn’t sign Peppers to an extension by then, they would have to wait until after the 2009 season to resume contract talks. The Panthers likely would have to make Peppers the highest paid defensive player.