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December 13, 2007
Julius Peppers interview
We had one of our infrequent interviews with Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers during open locker room today, and I'm writing much more about it for Friday's paper. But with space considerations, everything can't get in, so it gives us an opportunity to PepBlog.
During the conversation, Peppers' frustration with his season (he has just 3.0 sacks after hitting double figures in four of his first five years) was evident. But he seems to be taking it in stride, and is still hopeful the explosion is coming soon.
When it was pointed out that Seattle DE Patrick Kerney, whose Seahawks play at Carolina Sunday, has three sacks in each of his last four games, Peppers pointed out the difference in the situations of the two players, saying of a three-sack game of his own, "It could come at any time. You don't plan on having them. You just have them one day. You just go out and things work for you one day."
Peppers also addressed his contract issues -- his current deal expires after next season -- and didn't really sound like the kind of guy who worries about money too much. Someone joked that he apparently hadn't spent all of his current stash yet, and Peppers grinned.
"Nah, man, I'm straight," he said.
Peppers was patient through questions he had heard before. As for the rumors that he has lost weight, stand a foot in front of him and you'll strongly disagree. He was dressed in a black Carolina Panthers' T-shirt with an American Flag on the front and black workout shorts featuring his number 90, and every muscle appeared full-sized and in working order. -- Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on December 13, 2007 at 05:37 PM | Permalink
Comments
I have watched Mr. Peppers play the last few weeks in detail, he looks weak or lazy, he plays without pride and yes he is taking plays off. If you don't believe him watch him on game tape. When 5'07" 212 lbs, Maurice Jones-Drew man handles you and you are as big and strong as Mr. Peppers, be ashamed! Give Richardson back some money.
Posted by: Roger | Dec 13, 2007 6:12:51 PM
Maybe we can work out a deal with the Bobcats. I am sure Peppers could start and would be their best big man. We all know how much bobcat johnson and mj like to hire carolina guys. Pep is the right color for Mr. Robert Johnson as well.
Posted by: pslholder | Dec 13, 2007 6:19:59 PM
I agree about Pep looking foolish by not even coming close to getting by Jones-Drew. Just before he contacted him, he hesitated and started to dance with him, pretty much the same way he does with OTs. I've said the guy was overrated forever and I'm glad the rest of the world sees it now. And, I could do without such obvious and blatant adoration of his body by the author.
Posted by: me | Dec 13, 2007 7:01:06 PM
I'm disapointed with Peps play too, but just because he has ONE down season doesn't mean he sucks. He'll probably go into the offseason and work even harder this year. Hopefully it will produce MAJOR results next year. Hang in there Pep, the only reason people bash you so much is because we all know what your capable of doing.
Posted by: FinalsRdonE!! | Dec 13, 2007 7:22:49 PM
I, too, am hoping for a big season from Peppers in 2008 -- so we can traded him to some sucker GM in exchange for two first round picks.
Posted by: JanitorDan | Dec 13, 2007 7:28:51 PM
Hey ME,
That was hardly adoration of his body; just a comment for all of those who seem to think he's lost 30 pounds or so (I get an email to that effect every couple days).
Posted by: stan olson | Dec 13, 2007 7:55:55 PM
I'm sorry, but there's just no effort there. Every play he runs up to the first opponent he can find and stands there until the play is over. Most of our opponents' running plays are now aimed DIRECTLY AT PEPPERS. Remember how they used to call him one of the best athletes in the league? Remember when he used to go in as an eligible receiver? You call it a slump when somebody is busting his butt on every play and the results aren't there. Peppers is just watching the ball game happen around him. Either play the game or get off the field and let somebody who wants to be there have a chance. I don't care if they lose - I'm just sick of watching uninspired, overpayed players who don't care if they win or not. Have you forgotten how lucky you are? You are payed millions of dollars to play a game the rest of us played for fun at recess. At least give the appearance that you are interested. End of Rant.
Posted by: UncleJim | Dec 13, 2007 7:59:08 PM
He is cashing in on a big paycheck this year. If I performed on my job like he has I WOULD BE FIRED.
Posted by: steve | Dec 13, 2007 8:08:35 PM
hey steve - i doubt very seriously you are in the top 5 percent of performers in your profession like nearly every nfl player, so you should likely aspire to achieve at that level instead of working on the assumption that you are better at your job than pep is at his. its very likely that pep can slack off every play and still be better at his job than you are at yours on your best day.
Posted by: tp | Dec 13, 2007 8:30:30 PM
Stan,
So, if you're not adoring his body, why such vivid acounts of his black shorts and the fact that EVERY muscle appears to be "FULL SIZED" AND "IN WORKING ORDER?"
Sorry, but to most of the world, that sounds exactly like adoration. There are much less "suggestive" ways to say the guy doesn't look like he's lost weight.
Posted by: me | Dec 13, 2007 8:37:51 PM
Are you Panther fans NUTS? If you folks don't want Pep send him down to The Bucs.We will gladly take him off your hands.Maybe it's not happing this year for Pep, but my god have you fans forgot all that he has done for your team? Like I said # 90 will look real good in pewter & red lined up over your right tackle and pounding your qb twice a year!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: robert | Dec 13, 2007 8:50:25 PM
ME,
suggestive to you; informative to others. Is a bicep or a forearm or a calf (pretty much all we could see) suggestive to you? That would be in reference to every muscle we could see, obviously. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
Posted by: stan olson | Dec 13, 2007 8:51:26 PM
Damn Stan Olson....the way you made wrote the ending of that piece, it made it seem like you were lusting over his body.
"He was dressed in a black Carolina Panthers' T-shirt with an American Flag on the front and black workout shorts featuring his number 90, and every muscle appeared full-sized and in working order."--Sounds like a piece ripped right out of some erotic novel.
Posted by: yhalothar | Dec 13, 2007 8:54:23 PM
TP you are right I am not at top 5 percent of my profession and never claimed to be. Peppers production this year is equal to a practice squad player which is a big difference in the paycheck.
Posted by: steve | Dec 13, 2007 8:56:33 PM
But we love you anyway Stan. You don't have to keep secrets from us. :D
Posted by: yhalothar | Dec 13, 2007 8:57:16 PM
Stan, rather than an editorial about what Pep's body LOOKS like, how about asking him to get onto a scale while you watch, so that you can tell us exactly how much he really weighs? Because the Fox gamecaller last weekend said 285 lbs, and I don't buy it.
Posted by: aquila6 | Dec 13, 2007 9:30:43 PM
I didn't say there was anything wrong with "that." Just that I, personally, would prefer not to hear about what you think of all of his muscles and how well you think they would work.
And, quite honestly, I wouldn't care if you were talking about his calves, biceps, etc. I don't look at other men's bodies that way and I don't need anyone who does describing them for me.
Posted by: me | Dec 13, 2007 9:33:30 PM
"Have we forgotten all he has done for our team?" Give me a break....we don't stop paying so he shouldn't stop performing. I haven't seen a quarterback yet that has fear in his eyes for Peppers. Why is it so easy for other teams to get to Vinny or Delhomme and we let that SuperStar David Gerrard look like an all-pro against us. The way you get our defense off the field is to make the other team go 3 and out....like other teams are doing for us. I just don't see it....either you are a dominant, marquee player and you show that year end and year out or you are a.) out of shape; b.)lazy and disinterested or c.)have some kind of illness. Peppers should have at least a sack almost every game.....
Posted by: Roger McArthur | Dec 13, 2007 9:35:02 PM
Can we hire a real president/GM and coach for the panthers. Mark can still get on the riser each sunday and give away those 10' X 20' checks to charity.
We need a respected person with real football management experience. Someone like Bobby Bethard would get attention around the league. We should have paid Norv Turner a lot of money to come and put a offensive in place. How about the defensive coord that was with Chicago last year to instill a defensive plan, Dan Reeves would make a very nice fit as head coach, and I want a real special teams coach. I think if we replace Mark Richardson, Marty Huney, Davidson, Turd-o-vick and whoever the person is that coaches unspecial teams and of course the man himself "It is what It is" John Fox, I think we would have a solid experienced staff.
Why did we replace Bill Polian (the man who put together the colts team) with Mark Richardson. Wow that was a good move.
Posted by: jason | Dec 13, 2007 9:36:29 PM
Concerned reader,
No you are not the only one. Stan somehow thinks it's not only acceptable for him to drool over Pep, but also feels it's his duty to "inform" us about it.
Posted by: jason | Dec 13, 2007 10:10:18 PM
I'm sorry if I offend anyone but I'm just calling it as I see it. It appears Mr Peppers and many others on this team have lost fire, heart, desire. In my eyes they are overpaid, fat and lazy. I'd rather see hungry third string scrubs play their hearts out than these bums.
Posted by: Rob | Dec 13, 2007 11:24:18 PM
The Panthers should sign Rod Tidwell. He's fast, fierce, and he is the best kept secret in NFL
Posted by: Jerry Maguire | Dec 13, 2007 11:28:13 PM
Haha you guys crack me up. Keep it coming y'all! If I ever decide to write an erotic novel, I'll be sure to include that last paragraph about Peppers!
Posted by: stan olson | Dec 13, 2007 11:28:20 PM
It's amazing how many posters on here have contracted the "what have you done for me lately" virus...out of all you guys, how many of you have actually PLAYED organized football? In order to make an accurate analysis of Pep's effectiveness as a Speed Rusher, you need to look at the entire body of work (i.e. his entire career,not just his last 13 games) For his career, he has had 56 sacks in 89 games played, which is an average of 1.5 sacks per game. Also keep in mind that Carolina's anemic offense has put the Defense on a short field more often this year, where teams are less likely to run plays that require tons of time in pass protection (i.e. more 3 and 5 step drops by QB's). Sorry for the tirade, but the man has had a solid career so far, not a HOF one, but he's been healthy and fairly consistent.
Posted by: mookie | Dec 13, 2007 11:36:36 PM
People have to realize that one of reasons Peps sack record is down is that most opponents are up on the Panthers in score so they dont have to throw as much, therefore his sack schedule is going to suffer because of our lackluster offense..blame Foxy and the "new" offensive cooridinator
Posted by: david | Dec 13, 2007 11:48:09 PM
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