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August 26, 2009
Fox: Peppers not behind
Panthers coach John Fox says he's pleased with the progress of defensive end Julius Peppers, who missed minicamp and summer school practices in May and June because he hadn't yet signed his contract tender.
Peppers met his new coaches, defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and defensive line coach Brian Baker, when he reported to training camp Aug. 2 and began learning about changes made to team's defensive system since last year.
Peppers didn't have a defensive stat in his first half of work against Miami left tackle Jake Long in last Saturday's exhibition, but he pointed out that it was essentially a practice game.
Fox said Tuesday that Peppers isn't behind when asked if Peppers was still catching up on work he missed earlier in the offseason.
"Defensive end is not really a scientific position," said Fox. "He came back in great shape. He's picked up very quickly what we're doing. A lot of it is the same we've done in the past. It's a matter of some different techniques. But other than that, he's doing fine."
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on August 26, 2009 at 08:22 AM | Permalink
Comments
Practice?Practice.Come on it's just a practice game.Practice?lol.I think Long will definitely see a different Peppers when they meet this season.Why get hurt or give him something to work on.$1mill a game and you people want him diving at the QB in a game that doesn't count.Long did make the Pro bowl last year(rookie) to and is one of the best already.It should be a battle when they meet again!Go Panthers!
Posted by: bryant80 | Aug 26, 2009 9:52:11 AM
If you really want a great opinion on Julius' effort/play, or lack thereof, listen to Frank & Buck on the radio. Buck played on the same D-line as Pep. Frank had to block linemen for years. They are less than impressed and have stated the "practice" excuse if just that, an excuse. I guess instead of people questioning Pep taking off plays, it's now changed to taking off "games", but then again as Pep states it's just practice...OK Iverson, I understand :)
Posted by: kbell | Aug 26, 2009 10:50:39 AM
Uh, how is it not practice? There is no game-planning, it counts for absolutely nothing, and it's not exactly as if Peppers is fighting for a roster spot...
Posted by: Nathan | Aug 26, 2009 10:57:55 AM
he is not behind at all, HE SUCKS and is not worth $16MM per season. You can get at least 3 very good players for that salary. His stat sheet stinks and was shut out by Jake Long.
Posted by: John | Aug 26, 2009 11:07:10 AM
Historically, Peppers doesnt show up against top ranked teams in the regular season so this whole line about practice & the preaseason must apply all year for him. LOL. Why is it the fans could forsee this coming but management could not? No other NFL team wanted to give what the Panthers wanted for Peppers yet they foolishly overpaid & in the process have no cap space available now. Can Peppers play on both sides of the ball? Can he be a WR, RB, QB, LB, CB? NO!! Hes one player & no one player needs to command that kind of salary!
Posted by: D.W.G. | Aug 26, 2009 11:07:51 AM
As my mother always told me, surround yourself with people that know more than you on certain issues and listen to their opinions as they may be better equipped to provide input based on their knowledge. I think Frank & Buck make some very valid points. Especially when both of them point out things like neither team game planning for the other, so it comes down to man vs man and Peppers has not produced. Buck stated last year that he would rather have a good football player instead of a great athlete when speaking of Peppers...and this comes from someone that played with Peppers. I hope Peppers steps it up when it does really count and as we know he has the potential to do so.
Posted by: kbell | Aug 26, 2009 11:17:30 AM
The man's contract is guaranteed for the year. So yea, let him go up against Jack Long in the preseason and out do him, get hurt and the SAME PEOPLE would be complaining/whinning about that. Let's move on please people.
Posted by: BestThingYet | Aug 26, 2009 12:15:26 PM
Who is the only DE in the NFL who has had double digit sacks in four of the last five seasons? - Julius Peppers.
Who led every-down DEs in sacks last season? - Julius Peppers.
Who is the only DE in the NFL who had sacks in ten different games last season? - Julius Peppers.
The facts speak for themselves, people.
Posted by: Collin | Aug 26, 2009 12:22:57 PM
Im not worried about the Beast from Bailey for one second,We all know what he is capable of doing. If this is Peppers last season in a Panthers Uniform (which its shaping up to be)I believe he will give it his all out of respect and honor for Mr. Richardson.
I would like to see Peppers however return to his old self at blocking Field Goals and Extra Points ,returning Int's for T.D.'Setc,but at least hes not refusing to be in on any plays or special teams work like number 89.
As far as Buckner goes,noone enjoyed playing with him or his big mouth when he was on the team,not to mention supplying Peppers with that ILLEGAL substance his rookie year,But ill type more about him later.......
Posted by: GhostOfSparta | Aug 26, 2009 12:48:52 PM
I m tired of people complaining about pepper! Pre-season mean nothing, why should they show everything they bring at the game during pre-season? Problem is other team can take advantage watching on film to find way to block or stop the movement when they play panther. Pre-season is not for fan to enjoy to watch their best players to play and have higher expectation for them do well during pre-season. Pre-season doesn't count anything on how many tackles or any point they score in the games. it is for help coach to judge who back up players and who should stay and who going to cut. It also help us to see what area that we need to fix when first string team has problem. I think pepper is doing GREAT.
I expect some one in panther office include Hurley or Fox to get HUGE DT to help stop running game. It seem we don't do anything to stop that since Kemo went down.
Posted by: soccerbatman17 | Aug 26, 2009 1:10:04 PM
So easy a caveman could do it or soccerbatman17 for example.Sorry buddy,I had to with your post,kinda seems like a caveman/geico CA to me.
Posted by: GhostOfSparta | Aug 26, 2009 1:47:57 PM
jake long is so great that brown beat him for his sack
Posted by: joe cool | Aug 26, 2009 8:35:52 PM
E. Brown IS fighting for a roster spot. Pep has nothing to prove to his team mates, his coaches, his owner, and least of all you bunch of whiners.
Posted by: heelsrule | Aug 26, 2009 10:13:56 PM
I just threw up on my Peppers jersey.
Posted by: x | Aug 27, 2009 9:47:57 PM
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