Julius Peppers Should Be On Bears Wish List

by Adam T on Jan 19, 2009 8:05 AM CST

As fans we would like to think that our teams are doing everything they can to make the teams better. You'd also like them to keep an eye on the bottom line. Bringing in players way over value hurts the team's success in the long run. On the latter front Jerry Angelo has been successful. He has let players go that would have made our team better, but was unwilling to pay the going price. The problem is he has also let the latter statement stop him from achieving the first statement.

Last off season the Bears only briely glanced at players like Alan Faneca and Michael Turner. In the end he didn't want to get into a bidding war. Both players had great years and are headed to the Pro Bowl. The Bears got lucky on the RB front drafting Matt Forte, but our line could have dearly used Faneca.

Again this year there are some names out there that would be huge upgrades to our teams. Case in point, Julius Peppers, who recently informed the Panthers that he wants out of Carolina. Having Peppers on the line instantly improves not only the entire defensive line, but the secondary as well. With a guy like Peppers putting pressure on the QB, the secondary doesn't have to maintain coverage as long. If Angelo plans to keep the offense we have largely intact that's fine. We can live with Orton and a pickup of a receiver. To do that however, you need a dominate defense and currently we are not there.

The problem is Peppers is going to cost money and a lot of it. A team cannot continue to succeed by never picking up talent and saving a dollar by going the cheaper routes. It leave our QB throwing to Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd instead of somebody better. It leaves us having a rag tag group of veterans and young players trying to protect our QB and open holes for Forte instead of Pro Bowlers in their prime. Last season Peppers had 13 1/2 sacks. That is 3 1/2 more than Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye combined.

If the Bears had been able to get pressure on opposing teams QBs, it is fair to at least talk about how the Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Carolina games ended. That is the difference between the Bears in the Playoffs and the Bears watching from home.

I'd like to say I have faith that knowing his job had to be on the line that he would go get somebody like Peppers, but in reality not only do I not think he will, I don't think his boss wants to spend the money or has even told Angelo that he needs to make moves or his performance comes into question.

Would anybody be upset if the Bears just dropped all their cash into Peppers and Jordan Gross and did nothing else the offeseason? How about Pepper and Boldin or TJ?

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The addition of two quality starting offensive lineman

in their primes, could surely have a better impact in the long run, then one pass rusher.

It’s not like we’re the recent Bucs… on the brink of a Super Bowl for a few seasons… and adding Simeon Rice to take us over the top.

We’ve got a bigger problem on the other side of the line.

I say let your investment in Marinelli pay off… and hope he restores the pass rush. That’s why you paid him.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 19, 2009 8:56 AM CST reply actions

One problem

The problem I see with your train of thought is the line where you said “Hope he restores the pass rush”. I think (and hope) that Hot Rod will do that. If I was Angelo, I wouldn’t put the team’s fate in hope’s hand, I’d put it in the hands of Absolute. Julius Peppers is absolutely a definite instant upgrade to the D line giving the defense exactly what it needs most.

I think our team can get to the superbowl by adding a another just decent WR on offense, keeping everyone else, except Rashied Davis and adding Julius Peppers.

With a D line containing Peppers and Harris, coached by one of the best line coaches applying pressure, the entire Defense gets better instantly.

I thought the real problem with the team last year was Defense. Zero pressure with a Defense built around pressure with the front 4. we blitzed like crazy and still no pressure. Yes, there were issues on offense, especially with run blocking and catching the ball, but not anywhere near as much of a problem as the lack of pressure on the QB.

I feel that we should do everything in our power to bring Julius Peppers to Chicago.

by Subotai on Jan 19, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

I place more value on building a real run-dominant O-line.

To move the chains all game… chew the clock… punch it in on short yardage… and finish games in the 4th quarter.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 19, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

with a name

like SackMan, I thought you’d be more interested in investing in a QB harrassing Defensive line.

by Subotai on Jan 19, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

:-)

by Subotai on Jan 19, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

Was a big Richard Dent fan…

But, like I said before… with the Bucs example: a top pass rusher is more of a final piece to the puzzle. Like Simeon Rice, or Reggie White when he became a Packer.

Before we got O-Gun, he had 15 sacks the previous year in Miami. Mark Anderson had 12 sacks his rookie year. And, Alex Brown has been a pretty darn good RE against the run and pass. It’s not like we don’t have guys who haven’t done it before.

Let’s build an O-line that can keep us competitive.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 19, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

I wish

peppers would be nice. but i don’t think its going to happen. Alex Brown is solid and wale is going into a contract year in which the bears think will improve his performance. In order to put peppers on the dline wale would have to be moved and i don’t think that will happen.

while peppers is awesome wale and brown are serviceable and rod marinelli is yet to work his magic.

I am worried more about our safeties (who are ___________?) than Brown and Wale. We have DLineman and linebackers and we have invested in cbs… now we need a ball hawk safety…. Mays will not be there, i like nic harris…

I’d be happy with just peppers and gross…. could we draft a wr then.
Boldin- 2nd coming of david boston and inflated stats playing in a great offense with Fitzgeral on the other side… no thx
TJ- life will be different without ocho cinco

both wrs would go from being #2s (ha) to #1s… not something i’m crazy about.

by No It All on Jan 19, 2009 8:57 AM CST reply actions

According to Jerry Angelo

And… I had predicted this when Lovie became the D-coordinator… Daniel Manning, the teacher’s pet, will be our Free Safety next year. And Mike Brown will likely not return.

What is Danieal Manning?

I don’t want to use the word enigma. He has 30-something starts at free safety [in three years]. But when we brought Mike Brown back, I felt that hurt Danieal Manning. We had Mike at free. We liked what we saw in Kevin Payne in OTAs at strong safety, having a bigger body. We felt our best package was with Mike and Kevin. Saying that, we wanted to create a spot for Danieal. That’s where the nickel came in. He had all the traits to do it. Our thinking was let’s get our best [players] on the field. He started to impact us in the latter part of the season with his athleticism and because he is a tough guy. We certainly have to define what his role is going to be. We’re a better team with him on the field.

Can you envision a scenario in which Mike Brown would return?

I don’t see that right now, given how it affects Danieal. Allocation of money comes into play, too, in what we want to do at other positions. There could be a case where we want Mike back, but we can’t afford to do it given what we want to do in other areas.

link

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 19, 2009 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

Manning/Payne

combo at safeties is not going to scare (m)any offenses

by No It All on Jan 19, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

wrong

I think you’re 100% wrong about Anquan Boldin. That guy is a surefire #1 WR. You forget his rookie year. He had Jeff Blake throwing him the ball, NO LARRY FITZGERALD and a washed up Emmit Smith running game. And he had 101 receptions with 1377 yard and 8 TDs. That was no fluke.

by Subotai on Jan 19, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

I'm ok if you want to pass on Peppers and go 2 OL

my point is for once put out the money for a top guy. Don’t always look for guys who have something to prove and will sign for one year.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Jan 19, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions

exactly

spend some $$$ and bring some real instant talent.

by Subotai on Jan 19, 2009 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

draft or FA

i just hope they find a guy they really like and are then willing to pay big $ or move up in the draft to get him. be it at wr, de, qb, s, ol…. its just not the bears MO tho. they will continue searching for diamonds in the rough instead of just going to jared’s.

not signing faneca was a mistake

by No It All on Jan 19, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

In need of backs

If we got one of the two top CBs we could move Tillman to roam safety. If they are both gone Michael Oher 6’ 5" 330# with a mean streak would be great in Beekmans spot.

by luckie815 on Jan 19, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions

What?

Michael Oher is a tackle and Beekman is a guard so they don’t fit. I agree with offensive line help, that is why I suggest Duke Robinson (6-5, 335lbs) from Oklahoma or Herman Johnson (6-7, 351) from LSU.

by chase17 on Jan 19, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

Peppers wants to play in a 3-4

so that elimnates the Bears anyway. If we go after a pass rusher it should be Suggs who can play the strong side LB. Though drafting an end in the 3rd or 4th to challange Wale for his spot is something they should do.

by Devin47 on Jan 19, 2009 10:42 AM CST reply actions

T Sizzle

great idea he can play as a down lineman or lineup where nic roach would be…

by No It All on Jan 19, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

all the stuff he said about wanting to play in a 3-4

is nothing but a marketing ploy. basically, he’s just piling up more reasons to not play in Carolina.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Jan 19, 2009 11:11 AM CST up reply actions

I would be OK

with a TJ and Peppers signing going into the draft. However, I don’t know because Peppers is only two years younger than Ogunleye and he seemed a bit washed up this year, but maybe he wasn’t getting any help and Peppers is a lot more talented than Wale.

Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!

by Sam Householder on Jan 19, 2009 11:00 AM CST reply actions

Huge problem!

First of all, Carolina is going to “tag” Peppers thus adding another serious issue with the Bears acquiring him. He’ll most definitely command a 1st round draft pick, along with millions of dollars in cap dollars. If this happened the Bears would almost certainly have to move Whale in another trade. I’d rather see JA add a few pieces on offense, so I favor getting Bolding or Housh. The latter will be less expensive, it saves a draft pick, and enables Jerry/Lovie to use that on a player to fill another need. Preferably an OT, DE, or Safety.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Jan 19, 2009 9:48 PM CST reply actions