2010 Game Changers: Julius Peppers

by Mike Mueller on May 5, 2010 11:00 AM CDT in Sprint Sponsored Posts

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On the opening day of free agency, the Bears inked Defensive End Julius Peppers to a $91.5 million dollar deal.

The 6-foot-7 Peppers brings uncanny athletic ability but questionable consistency, along with the 81 sacks he collected in eight seasons with Carolina -- 10½ last year. In Chicago, he'll get to play alongside Lance Briggs, Urlacher and Tommie Harris and give a much-needed boost to a defense that ranked 17th overall and tied for 13th in sacks with 35.

There's no questioning his ability. He is a game changer. The Bears need his pass-rushing ability to make the Tampa-2 defense work. In 2005 & 2006, the Bears were ranked 2nd & 5th in total defense. They ranked 9th & 8th in the NFL with 41 & 40 sacks respectively. In 2008 & 2009, the Bears have had 28 sacks (22nd ranked) & 35 sacks (13th rank). Julius Peppers is being brought to Chicago to get after the quarterback; something he is very good at doing:

Julius Peppers 2009 Highlights (via SteveSmithTD89)

Please note at 3:00 when Peppers blows up Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie to envelope Favre. Hopefully we see a lot more of that this season.

Peppers can make plays from both the right and left end spot which is something he will probably do here in Chicago as well.

Peppers_medium

Photoshop by Smudgers.

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Hail the almighty gigantic sprint logo!!!!!

Darn, seeing that video just gets me pumped up for football!!!!!!

Non football related……… Threedaysgrace is amazing live!!!!!!

by I love football! on May 5, 2010 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

Ha

Threedaysgrace is amazing live!!!!!!

At least I’m not the only one who thinks this.

Chevelle and Three Days Grace??? Fuc*ing AWESOME!!!

by Acreman20 on May 5, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

For such a big man

he sure can dip and turn the corner quickly… and I like seeing a plethora of pass rush moves on that clip.

"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 5, 2010 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

That McKinney play isn't even fair!

To let Peppers get such a running start with his size, McKinney had no chance.

"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 5, 2010 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

That was impressive

You saw his quickness and strength on that play – just too much for McKinney to keep up with. Needless to say, that’s what we need to see out of him this year…

by JimmyMack on May 5, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice video...

Pappers can definitely be a game changer; here’s hoping to many, many many multi-sack games.

by Dane Noble on May 5, 2010 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

Absolutely

What’s the over under on J-Pepp getting 12 or more sacks this season?

by Dozjah on May 5, 2010 2:10 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Good question

I think he had 4 sacks – either 2 or 3 years ago. Sometimes it’s “feast” or “famine” with this guy. That’s the only knock against Peppers. When he’s on his game though, he’s as dominant as JA.

by JimmyMack on May 5, 2010 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

if he isn't we are screwed

by No It All on May 5, 2010 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

Unless he draws doubles and gets the other "rush men" theirs instead.

I’d rather see a mess of hurries and knockdowns than gaudy sack numbers, personally.

by oripunk3485 on May 5, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll take sacks.

Greg Blache ain’t the only one hating on sacks!

"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 5, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

drawing doubles = game changer

i really hope he is

by No It All on May 6, 2010 4:29 AM CDT up reply actions

to elaborate...

if tommie and julius are are on the same side an offensive line will be hard pressed to stop a blitzing LB on the same side. If we can get those 3 (Peppers, Harris and Urlacher or Briggs) rushing against only another teams 2 (RT and RG) our D will be getting incredible pressure on the QB. Even if their center comes to help I like our 3 against their 3 in man to man match-ups, that may be a match-up we can exploit on a weekly basis.

by No It All on May 6, 2010 4:37 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

I think Marcus Harrison will have a break out year as well………………

by I love football! on May 6, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I really hope so. That is the position that concerns me the most.

While I still think Harrison has potential, I am beginning to lose faith. If he cannot play well with our beefed up DLine then i assume he is done. Izzy at DT is intriguing. But yes, Marcus Harrison has a chance to be a game changer himself this year.

by No It All on May 6, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions