Is Julius Peppers Kryptonite for Tebowmania?

For years in Carolina, Peppers was a heat-seeking laser that tracked Michael Vick. He flips from right end to left end when needed and when teams run away from him, he's got the speed, instincts and discipline to make plays from the backside without leaving himself too vulnerable to an end around or throwback pass.

6 months ago Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. 21 comments 0 recs |

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He's going to have to be, otherwise we have no shot at winning this game.

"You have a young group and if they start feeling too good about themselves, that’s not a good thing. So it’s my job not to let them. So probably they will hate me. But that’s OK too. My wife hates me and she’s still married to me." - Mike Tice

by badsamaritan on Dec 9, 2011 11:33 AM CST reply actions

Let's not forget about Urlacher though.

Pretty good at chasing down running QBs as well.

by oripunk3485 on Dec 9, 2011 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

All of the front 4 need to step up....

by David in Maine on Dec 9, 2011 11:45 AM CST reply actions

Even with what appears to be a lingering knee injury

I think Peppers loves going after the running QBs. He doesn’t get a ton of sacks but seems as soon as a play gets to the outside he is hunting it down. I see another very disruptive game from him even if it doesnt show in the stats column.

by TheMan1 on Dec 9, 2011 11:46 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Pep ran down Vick from behind.

I would LOVE to see Tebow try that against Pep…

by Doshi on Dec 9, 2011 11:48 AM CST reply actions

We handle these running QBs well

Lovie has always talked about team speed on defense and its shows against these hybrid types. Tebow is going to get hit alot but I think he can take it. We still need to score 21+ points to win this thing period no matter how good the defense plays.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 9, 2011 11:55 AM CST reply actions

Hoping for some Hester magic and a pick six.

If Hanie can have a 1:1 ratio of TDs to INTs I like our chances.

by badsamaritan on Dec 9, 2011 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

I'll be happy if it's 0:0...

by Doshi on Dec 9, 2011 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

Money in the bank

There’s no question in my mind the Bears D will shut down Tebow and the Denver offense. The Bears crush running QBs and force 1 dimensional offenses into stalling. Tebow doesn’t have what it takes to exploit the Bears’ defensive weaknesses. He doesn’t have the quick release or timing to hit those short routes one after another and slowly move the chains in a quick passing game.

I’m far more concerned about how our offense matches up against their defense – which is very solid and has some playmakers with exceptional athleticism. If Barber and Bell are running strong and Hanie doesn’t make mistakes, this game is in the bag.

by dm1982 on Dec 9, 2011 12:18 PM CST reply actions

If the gods are kind...

And our O line holds up/Hanie can get his timing down and calm down and just play(much like Cutler said he needs to do)..we can win this game. However, last Sunday we had the exact opposite.

..Also Roy Williams needs to get over his fear of big brown things.

by Pretender85 on Dec 9, 2011 12:41 PM CST reply actions

Alygator Arms needs to catch the big brown thing, so does Knox. Screens an short passes, Hester should have a good game coming across the middle.

by transylvanian bear on Dec 9, 2011 1:16 PM CST reply actions

agreed! lol

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f**k the prom queen."

by Maelvampyre on Dec 9, 2011 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

He had alligator arms because of Martz's play-calling

Didn’t you hear? Martz lost the game last week!

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 9, 2011 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

On the defensive field of football....

There are rookies,
There are the swift,
There are the strong,
There are men,
There are men among men,
And there are true leaders.

Julius Peppers is their King.

If Tebow isn’t afraid, then after the first time Denver fails to block Peppers and he rips Tebow out of his shoes, he will be afraid.

"And furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed."

by TheotherDane on Dec 9, 2011 1:52 PM CST reply actions

Denver Fan here respectively

We were worried about Jared Allen too. As long as Peppers lets Tebow come to him he will be fine.

by valas40 on Dec 9, 2011 1:58 PM CST reply actions

Depends on the play

If Pepp diagnosis the play correctly he’ll lay off the gas pedal and let Tebow take his chances with his arm.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 9, 2011 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

The whole defense has to be on its proverbial toes

Peppers does a great job (awareness) when QBs like to run. He tends to go with a burst at first, then slows down to diagnose the play, especially with running QBs like Tebow.

Seems like Urlacher will spy him just like he does with Vick.

I’m not overly concerned about the Bears defending Tebow and the Bronco offense, but rather the Bears offense trying to score points against an upstart and very underrate Bronco defense.

No different than last week with the Chiefs.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 9, 2011 1:58 PM CST reply actions

NFL stat

The Broncos are the #1 rushing team in the NFL.

Do the Bears really think they can shut down the Broncos running game and Tebow completely?

From Todd Haley of the KC Chiefs who has a pretty good defense:

“We had plan A, B, C for how we were going to stop the run: Nothing worked.”

by technopeasant on Dec 9, 2011 2:27 PM CST reply actions

Forgot

The Broncos ran for over 250 yards on KC in week 10.

by technopeasant on Dec 9, 2011 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

I doubt completely

but that’s not how the Bears defense works. It’s not rated very high in yards against; it’s more predicated on points allowed and creating turnovers.

It’s the “bend don’t break” kind of philosophy. The key will be stopping TDs and having the Broncos settle for FGs. The hope is the Bears will some how score enough points to win. I have my doubts sans Cutler and Forte, but you never know!

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 9, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Tebow is a slightly different beast to deal with

Vick is a QB with the body of a RB; Tebow is a QB with the body of a linebacker. I think this will be more a matter of forcing him into running into Peppers, we’ve all seen how one of the most powerful WRs in the game was manhandled by him.

It will be a tough game, for sure, and the offense needs to get going. I think with decent time with the ball, making them start on average at their own 30, 21 points should be enough. However, in the current scenario, I’d welcome a crappy 9-7 victory.

by lmfsilva on Dec 9, 2011 3:19 PM CST reply actions