If you believe anything that Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox says, then you can't possibly believe that the Patriots are going to land Julius Peppers for a second-round draft pick.

Fox spoke to reporters yesterday at an NFC coaches breakfast in Dana Point, Calif. When asked about his reaction to the first report of the trade rumor on NFL.com, Fox said, "I can't really comment on exactly how I felt. It was almost laughable. That can't happen. Our system, I think most people are educated enough to understand our system. I didn't give it much thought at all actually."

Peppers still has not signed his $16.68-million franchise tender, and Fox says he still hasn't talked to his four-time Pro Bowler since Peppers said that he wanted to be traded.