Did Julius Peppers Live Up to His Potential?

Mentch · October 15, 2014

Saw this topic on another site and wanted to see what you guys thought of it

I remember he was supposed to be the best DE prospect ever. His rookie season was pretty spectacular but he never really improved that much after that. It was a matter of whether he turned it up or not, because everyone remembers him as one of the few people who could stay with Mike Vick in his prime. And yet, his career stats are a bit disappointing considering what he could have been. He would have monster games and then be nonexistent for a significant part of the season

I still think he's a Hall of Famer, but not a first ballot, and he could have been talked about as one of the greatest of all time, instead he's maybe in the top 20-30 DEs. Another person said it best, "he should have been this generation's Reggie White"

Edited October 15, 2014 by Mentch

RazorStar · October 15, 2014

Potential is something that is almost never realized. I think he had a hell of a career, and considering he underachieved and pulled off what he did in his career, it could have been so much worse. Like Vernon Gholston bad.

Mentch · October 15, 2014

Potential is something that is almost never realized. I think he had a hell of a career, and considering he underachieved and pulled off what he did in his career, it could have been so much worse. Like Vernon Gholston bad.

And it's hard to knock the success that he's had. But he still realistically could have been a tier or 2 higher on the all time list if he really truly wanted to

Packers Dynasty 2010 · October 15, 2014

He was always a physical freak and could dominate anyone but his heart/will was always weak and it never seemed like he really wanted to win. Watching him as a Packer, this has changed. He is old and his body is worn down but he is playing with more heart/will and is actually making a difference for the Packers. Maybe he finally realized he wants a ring before retiring.

Thanatos · October 15, 2014

Huh. I disagree with all of you.

Peppers played with heart and fire for the Panthers for most of his career with us. It was the year before the move to Chicago that he started slowing down noticeably on the field.

Turry · October 15, 2014

And his first year in Chicago he added a whole new element to the Bears D.

seanbrock · October 15, 2014

It's hard to tell what potential somebody has, but when people start throwing around things like "this generation's Reggie White" it starts to get a little ridiculous. They were totally deferent players. Reggie was explosive off the snap, but his game was the power game. Peppers for as big as he was was always more of a finesse player and besides all that, Reggie White might be the greatest defensive player of all time forget best DE.. It's dumb to expect a guy to be that.

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F · October 16, 2014

Nope.

If your "potential" is a possible GOAT, and the best you could do is a HOFer down the line... You didn't live up to your potential.

RazorStar · October 16, 2014

If we're going by that logic only one player in the NFL has ever lived up to his potential.

Bay · October 16, 2014

100 +sacks, 10 INT is very cool. J Pepp was so awesome back in the day returning interceptions for TDs and lining up at TE a few times even. May have even had some offensive TDs.

Can't seem to find anything on it but I swear I remember Peppers playing offense.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Bay

BC · October 16, 2014

He outright dominated and was the best end in the game for a long time. I didn't really start following the sport until around the time he started playing, so I can't speak on the "potential" aspect, but he affected the game about as much as you can as a DE and much like Steve Smith, always made a huge impact at all stages of his career in a game where the average career is less than 3 years. What else would you want the guy to do...

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F · October 16, 2014

If we're going by that logic only one player in the NFL has ever lived up to his potential.

Not every player in the NFL comes in with the physical talents and expectations that Peppers came into the league with. Not even a little bit.

And not every player in the NFL actually showed that he could be as great as Peppers showed when he was going 100%.

He outright dominated and was the best end in the game for a long time. I didn't really start following the sport until around the time he started playing, so I can't speak on the "potential" aspect, but he affected the game about as much as you can as a DE and much like Steve Smith, always made a huge impact at all stages of his career in a game where the average career is less than 3 years. What else would you want the guy to do...

...Are we talking about the same Julius Peppers who never put up a 15+ sack season?

Edited October 16, 2014 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

seanbrock · October 16, 2014

There was a stretch of a few seasons where Peppers was regarded as the best defensive player in the game...

PredatorPeppers · October 16, 2014

I think Peppers gets an undeserving bad wrap as not always playing hard, that was said about him when he came out of college and has stuck with him for whatever reason. Peppers and his coaches have said he is just such a fluent athlete that it may not look like he's trying hard when in fact he is, like on his most recent interception return for a TD last week, didn't look like he was running that fast but he was. Peppers is this generations most dominant edge rusher and does everything well, getting sacks and pressuring the QB, interceptions, passes defensed and blocked kicks, forcing and recovering fumbles, taking on double teams and setting the edge against the run, etc.

We'll have to see how long he and some of the other edge rusher play, and what they'll accomplished by the ends of their respective careers to see where they all rank.

Julius Peppers: Currently in his 13th season

Tackles - 572
Sacks - 120
Forced Fumbles - 40
Fumble Recoveries - 15
Interceptions - 10
Touchdowns - 5
Passes defensed - 65
Stuffs - 49
Safeties - 0
Blocked kicks - 13
Hurries - 129 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 3
Second team all pros - 3
Pro Bowls - 8
2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 147

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3530/julius-peppers

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeppJu99.htm Approximate Value

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/80980/julius-peppers/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries stat)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

Jared Allen: Currently in his 11th season
Tackles - 572
Sacks - 128.5
Forced Fumbles - 30
Fumble Recoveries - 17
Interceptions - 5
Touchdowns - 4 (2 of them being on offense)
Passes defensed - 52
Stuffs - 66
Safeties - 4
Blocked kicks - 1
Hurries - 98 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 4
Second team all pros - 0
Pro Bowls - 5
Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5651/jared-allen

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/246333/jared-allen/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Allen

DeMarcus Ware: Currently in his 10th season
Tackles - 585
Sacks - 120
Forced Fumbles - 33
Fumble Recoveries - 7
Interceptions - 2
Touchdowns - 3
Passes defensed - 24
Stuffs - 56
Safeties - 0
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - 119 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 4
Second team all pros - 3
Pro Bowls - 7
Career Approximate Value - 103

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/8426/demarcus-ware

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WareDe99.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/161722/demarcus-ware/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeMarcus_Ware

Dwight Freeney: Currently in his 13th season
Tackles - 303
Sacks - 110
Forced Fumbles - 44
Fumble Recoveries - 4
Interceptions - 0
Touchdowns - 1
Passes defensed - 15
Stuffs - 36
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - 116 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 3
Second team all pros - 1
Pro Bowls - 7
Career Approximate Value - 95

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3539/dwight-freeney

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/80989/dwight-freeney/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Freeney

Robert Mathis: Currently injured, 11 seasons played
Tackles - 487
Sacks - 111
Forced Fumbles - 48
Fumble Recoveries - 14
Interceptions - 1
Touchdowns - 1
Passes defensed - 15
Stuffs - 37
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - 95 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 1
Second team all pros - 0
Pro Bowls - 5
Career Approximate Value - 72

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4596/robert-mathis

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MathRo20.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/184663/robert-mathis/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mathis

Terrell Suggs: Currently in his 12th season
Tackles - 683
Sacks - 95
Forced Fumbles - 27
Fumble Recoveries - 11
Interceptions - 7
Touchdowns - 2
Passes defensed - 48
Stuffs - 75
Safeties - 0
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - 86 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 1
Second team all pros - 1
Pro Bowls - 6
2003 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year
2011 NFL Defensive Player of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4468/terrell-suggs

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuggTe99.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/184512/terrell-suggs/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrell_Suggs

James Harrison: Currently in his 12th season
Tackles - 648
Sacks - 66
Forced Fumbles - 29
Fumble Recoveries - 8
Interceptions - 6
Touchdowns - 1
Passes defensed - 20
Stuffs - 52
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 1
Hurries - 36 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 2
Second team all pros - 2
Pro Bowls - 5
2008 NFL Defensive Player of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 101

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4433/james-harrison

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/183237/james-harrison/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harrison_(American_football)

John Abraham: Injured, played 14 seasons, will probably retire
Tackles - 545
Sacks - 133.5
Forced Fumbles - 48
Fumble Recoveries - 6
Interceptions - 1
Touchdowns - 1
Passes defensed - 28
Stuffs - 51
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 1
Hurries - 85 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 2
Second team all pros - 1
Pro Bowls - 5
Career Approximate Value - 119

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2144/john-abraham

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AbraJo00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/25161/john-abraham/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Abraham_(American_football)

Joey Porter: Played 13 seasons
Tackles - 667
Sacks - 98
Forced Fumbles - 26
Fumble Recoveries - 9
Interceptions - 12
Touchdowns - 3
Passes defensed - 50
Stuffs - 41 ?
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - 33 (Since 2006)
First team all pros - 1
Second team all pros - 3
Pro Bowls - 4
Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1826/joey-porter

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PortJo00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/24842/joey-porter/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Porter

Simeon Rice: Played 13 seasons
Tackles - 470
Sacks - 122
Forced Fumbles - 35
Fumble Recoveries - 8
Interceptions - 5
Touchdowns - 0
Passes defensed - 58
Stuffs - ??
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 0
Hurries - ??
First team all pros - 1
Second team all pros - 2
Pro Bowls - 3
1996 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 104

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/970/simeon-rice

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceSi00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/23672/simeon-rice/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Rice

Michael Strahan: Played 15 seasons
Tackles - 851
Sacks - 141.5
Forced Fumbles - 22
Fumble Recoveries - 15
Interceptions - 4
Touchdowns - 3
Passes defensed - 36
Stuffs - ??
Safeties - 1
Blocked kicks - 1
Hurries - ??
First team all pros - 4
Second team all pros - 2
Pro Bowls - 7
2001 NFL Defensive Player of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 160

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/495/michael-strahan

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StraMi02.htm AV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Strahan

Jason Taylor: 15 seasons played
Tackles - 774
Sacks - 139.5
Forced Fumbles - 47
Fumble Recoveries - 29
Interceptions - 8
Touchdowns - 9
Passes defensed - 94
Stuffs - ??
Safeties - 3
Blocked kicks - 2
Hurries - ??
First team all pros - 3
Second team all pros - 1
Pro Bowls - 6
2006 NFL Defensive Player of The Year
Career Approximate Value - 155

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1245/jason-taylor

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Taylor_(American_football)

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_career.htm NFL career sack leaders

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

NFL awards and honors

NFL Rookie of the Month (10/02)
2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team (2002)
2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year
2004 NFC Defensive Player of the Year
2013 Brian Piccolo Award
NFL 2000s All Decade Team
Pro-Football-Reference All 2000s Team
100 Sacks Club
2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 NFC Pro Bowl
2004, 2006, 2010 All-Pro First Team
2008, 2009, 2012 All-Pro Second Team
Six time NFC Defensive Player of the Week (11/13/06, 11/9/08, 11/1/09, 11/18/10, 12/23/12, 10/2/2014)
Four time NFC Defensive Player of the Month (11/2004, 10/2006, 11/2010, 11/2011)

Panthers franchise records

Most career sacks: (81)
Most career forced fumbles: (30)
Longest Interception return: 97 yards (vs. Denver Broncos 10/10/04)

NFL records and accomplishments

Seventeenth most sacks in NFL history: 120
Tied for fifth most double digit sack seasons in NFL history: 8
Tied for fifth most games with at least three sacks: 9
Fourteenth most multiple sack games in NFL history: 30
Tied for ninth most forced fumbles in NFL history: 40
Second most interceptions by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 9 *10 career interceptions including time played as a linebacker
Most interception return yards by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 192 yds *241 career interception return yards including time played as a linebacker
Most interception return yards in a single season by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 143 yds
Most interception return yards in a single game by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds
Longest interception return by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds
Most combined interception and fumble return yards by a defensive lineman in a single season since NFL merger in 1970: 203 yds
Tied for second most interceptions returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 2 *3 career interceptions returned for a touchdown including time played as a linebacker
Third most passes defensed by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 62 *65 career passes defensed including time played as a linebacker
Second most blocked kicks in NFL history: 13
Only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions
Peppers has three career games with at least a half-sack and an interception-return touchdown, the most such games in the NFL since the sack became an official statistic in 1982

Peppers is not lazy and doesn't just give half effort. Just not true guys, it's sad that people just believe a media lie... I think Peppers teammates and coaches know more about him than the media and fans. Just think about it logically, if Peppers was so lazy and uninterested, why do teams like the Panthers, Bears, and Packers keep shelling out big money to have him play for them? Peppers has been one of the most dominant defensive players of his generation, sit back and enjoy watching a great one.

http://tisdelstirades.blogspot.com/2014/03/in-defense-of-julius-peppers-and-his.html Good article: In Defense of Julius Peppers and his Supposedly Inconstant Motor

Former Panthers and current Packers DL coach Mike Trgovac told ESPN Wisconsin this, two years ago:
There have been times during Peppers’ career when his effort level has been questioned, but Trgovac insisted that Peppers was never lazy during his time coaching him. “Everybody said that about Julius, and the more we researched it, the more it wasn't true,” Trgovac said. “You've got to be careful sometimes. Sometimes somebody will give a guy a label and it'll get spread around like it did with Julius, and it wasn't true. Julius works his [inappropriate/removed] off and has been a great player. So you have to be careful. Sometimes a bad rumor gets started about a kid and it just keeps going and multiplying. So you have to make the decision for yourself.”
Israel Idonije, Bears teammate, had this to say: "Just watch him; watch the guy practice,” Idonije said. “He gives everything, and works hard from the beginning of practice until the end. And he’s not just doing his own thing. He’s doing what the coaches have asked."

The Packers' Mike Daniels, after going through OTAs with Peppers, had this to say on 6/30:
"Julius is 34 years old, and he outruns everybody in practice. I guess what I learned from him is that you have to bring it every day because he’s a guy who definitely does. At 34, playing defensive end, flying around faster than some defensive backs, linebackers, receivers, running backs --- everybody. I definitely learn from that.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4669770/trgovac-nothing-wrong-with-peppers-motor

"He had it [the reputation] coming out of college," Trgovac said Tuesday at Super Bowl media day. "I always attribute it to [the fact] he's so smooth and natural. I was his position coach his rookie year, and he was rookie of the year by the way, and he only played 12 games. I did every [college] game on him because we had just been hired there in Carolina and Houston already said they were going to take quarterback David Carr, so we had to choose between Julius and Joey Harrington.

"People always talked about him taking plays off and doing this, but he's just so smooth and natural that he does things so easy that people think he's being lazy. But Julius plays hard. That reputation has always followed him, and maybe will always follow him for his whole career. I don't know, I hope not, because he is a really good guy. He commands a lot of attention. What was really impressive for us [in Carolina] was his work ethic in practice. He busts his butt in practice and I don't think the kid ever got enough credit for that."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-03-08/sports/chi-chicago-bears-julius-peppers-mar08_1_mike-rucker-julius-peppers-john-fox

In Charlotte, N.C., they still talk about the back-to-back plays Julius Peppers made in a game in Denver in 2004.
On third-and-3, he pushed Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer out of bounds on a bootleg after a 2-yard gain. Then on fourth-and-1, he intercepted Plummer's pass and ran it back 97 yards.

That is how Peppers will be remembered by John Fox, the only NFL head coach Peppers has known.
"Pep's a heck of a player," Fox said Monday. "I knew he'd be a guy who would be one of the first to get signed. He hasn't had any injuries. He's clean as a whistle medically. I know he's 30, but he looks just like he did when he was 22."
Fox dispelled the notion that the Bears' new defensive end takes a lot of plays off. He said effort was not a problem for Peppers.
"He trains and works hard," Fox said. "He's a great kid. He's quiet, but he leads by example."

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagobears/post/_/id/4665348/peppers-relishes-his-fresh-start

While at Carolina, Peppers didn’t always receive such praise from teammates. Peppers’ critics -- who often spoke of a tendency for the defensive end to take plays off -- caused him to close out people and take a guarded stance toward dealing with the media.
Peppers said “it was definitely time” for his departure from Carolina back in March, “not only from that team, but from the state period. I was there for 30 years. That’s my home state; I love it. I still plan to live there after I retire, but you need a change of scenery sometimes. You need to get away.”
Now that he’s accomplished the change, Peppers wants to finally silence the critics. One NFL coach who worked with Peppers in Carolina, held the same beliefs about a perceived lack of effort from the defensive end.
“When we were evaluating before we got him, I thought that too. Then one of our coaches gave me tape from the [2002] combine,” the coach said. “He said watch this one first; then watch Julius. I watched the first guy, he’s straining through this drill, grunting, making all kinds of faces. Right after that, Peppers comes up and goes through the same drill [the coach imitates an effortless run]. Smooth. You look at your watch, and Peppers just smoked the time [of the player in the first drill]. He just makes it look so easy sometimes it looks like he’s not trying.”
Peppers laughed at the story, before agreeing and adding his spin.
“You know, I think sometimes certain players – and I don’t name names – but certain players have a certain haircut, they have certain sack celebrations. They draw a lot of attention to themselves. That stuff can make it seem like you’re playing hard when really, you’re playing [about the same] as everybody else,” Peppers said. “You’re just bringing that extra attention to yourself. Just because I go about it mild mannered and I don’t do all of that stuff, maybe that’s something to talk about, too. If you hear [the criticism] from a coach that’s a different story. But I have yet to hear that from a coach. People who say it and watch the game don’t really understand my responsibilities on certain plays. If my play is not to run and chase the ball, if my play is to stay backside, then I’ve got to stay backside. I’ve got to be disciplined. I can’t run across the field and chase stuff that’s not mine. I can’t help that stuff comes easy sometimes; easier than somebody else. So I deal with it and hopefully, after this year, people won’t say that anymore.”
Still, critics will justifiably question whether the Bears paid too much for a player who could be entering the crossroads of his career. There’s also the legitimate concern that Peppers -- now that he’s received the big paycheck (he’ll make $40.5 million in the first three years) -- won't be motivated to play hard.
“That’s not my moral fiber, my character,” Peppers said. “I’m not above criticism. I can [take that] constructive[ly]; not saying that I believe it’s true. But if that’s something I have a chance to prove people wrong about, then I welcome that criticism. There’s pressure to perform. Being rewarded by this organization in that way only makes me want to play harder and repay them for what they did for me.”
Aside from the financial aspect of the situation, what the Bears did for Peppers, he said, was breathe new life into a career that had become stale.
Asked if he felt reborn with the Bears, Peppers started laughing almost uncontrollably.
“I guess you could call it that,” he said. “It’s definitely a change of scenery and a fresh start; a breath of fresh air to me. I’m happy, comfortable, and trying to stay that way for a long time.”
That could make for a lot of uncomfortable quarterbacks, for a long time as well.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-peppersbears011411

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli approached the offseason evaluation of defensive end Julius Peppers with caution.
The second overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft, Peppers was a five-time Pro Bowl selection who had racked up 25 sacks in the previous two seasons, yet, during the 2010 offseason, he was an unrestricted free agent.

“We did a lot of homework on him,” Smith said, “and everything came back the same.”
Despite his immense NFL success – 81 sacks in his first eight seasons – Peppers was dogged by questions that he wasn’t consistent and that he didn’t fulfill his potential. So Smith wanted to be comfortable that Peppers was going to be a cornerstone defender and not a free-agent disaster.
Smith sought the input of numerous people he trusted, including his friend Ron Meeks, the Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010.
“ ‘One of the best guys you will have a chance to coach,’ ” Smith recalled one person telling him. “Everything was positive.”
Peppers was an exception, so the Bears made an exception.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Peppers-driven-to-continually-improve/6c68178a-ab97-4162-b54e-8ad51adb8fd1

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers is nicknamed "The Freak" because of his extremely rare combination of size and athleticism. But that's not the only key to his success.

In presenting a Brian Piccolo Award to the 6-7, 287-pounder Tuesday at Halas Hall, Bears defensive line coach Mike Phair lauded Peppers' work ethic and attention to detail.

"You see a guy that's one of the better football players that's ever played this game and each and every day in practice he's the first guy in line," Phair said.

"He works extremely hard and he's very coachable. In meetings, he's a guy that takes great notes. That's one of the things that you could take for granted: 'Hey, I'm a pro. I've been here. I know the system.' But he's taking notes like a rookie. That's very impressive."

Peppers' attention to detail stems from his desire to continually improve, something he's done throughout his career. Selected by the Carolina Panthers with the second pick in the 2002 draft, he has been voted to eight Pro Bowls, including three in as many years with the Bears.

"I always like to take notes because you never know it all," Peppers said. "Once you think you know it all, that's when you start falling off. It's always good to try to get a little better every day."

https://archive.today/D3O19

About this time a year ago Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was calling out teammate Julius Peppers publicly, raising an issue of Peppers perceived intensity.

Now he would be very, very happy if Peppers left any intensity back in Chicago when the Bears go to Charlotte to play Peppers former team.

I think Pep is going to go down as one of the best ever, Beason said. Truly a specimen and he's an addition to any football team, any defense. The difference is, now that I'm playing outside [linebacker], that things are more clear to me how important it is having a big dominant D-end.

Indeed you sometimes don't appreciate what you had til it's gone. So it is with Peppers and the Panthers from whom he's gone now after eight seasons in Carolina.

Beason, suffering through an 0-3 start then and an 0-4 one now, subsequently explained his comments about Peppers made to a Charlotte radio station. He has gained an even greater appreciation of what Peppers was facing week after week.

I was able to witness it first hand for three years the different schemes Pep had to deal with every Sunday as far as sliding offensive linemen his way and backs chipping in before they went out, Beason said.

It was tough on him but if you"re playing opposite him, you should definitely be excited about it because he will definitely command that attention.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/with-packers-julius-peppers-ready-to-tackle-age-expectations-b99343838z1-273876991.html

From the shadow of Lawrence Taylor at North Carolina to the No. 2 overall selection in the 2002 draft to the Chicago Bears signing him at $84 million in 2010 to, now, Green Bay — with its 13 NFL titles — Hall of Fame-level hype has trailed Peppers his entire football life.

His blessing is his curse. There's no one this large, this athletic, this agile in the game.

The Packers needed bite. Needed Peppers.

So here he is, reaching out with a bear-paw handshake. He's easily the most physically imposing player to ever sit in this leather chair near the media auditorium at Lambeau Field. Through an extended conversation, those four- and five-word sound bites you hear in the locker room are replaced with introspective honesty from a pro entering the twilight of his career.

He is 34. He was banished by the Chicago Bears. But the pressure, again, stalks Peppers ... all the way to Seattle on Thursday night.

"Yeah, it's a lot. It's a lot on it," Peppers said. "The thing that has helped me with the expectations is just placing them on myself before anybody else could. Always striving to be better. But even when you don't live up to your own expectations — or somebody else's — it gets tough."

Guard down, Peppers' voice picks up.

"Just people, it's really tough when somebody says, 'Oh, well, he could have been the best of all-time, but he was lazy.' Or 'He could have had 15 sacks when he only had seven or eight.' Sometimes, I'm just like, 'Well, what could you have done? You go do it.'"

Without hearing "34," Peppers brings up "34." That's his age, the red flag that his career is about to reach a screeching halt.

Opponents gashed the Bears for 5.3 yards per carry in 2013, the NFL's worst run defense since 2006. Peppers lacked pop. He didn't have a sack in 12 of the 16 games. Scouts questioned his desire. The freak from Carolina was fading, so the Bears released Peppers and his $13.9 million salary.

Unprompted, Peppers steers this conversation a new direction.

"It wasn't, all of a sudden I turned 34. Or I turned 33, I was 33 last year at the time," Peppers said. "OK, I turned 33, all of a sudden I don't have it anymore? That's what people are going to say. That's what they said. That definitely wasn't it."

He understands that with enormous contract comes enormous responsibility. That's been the backdrop to his career.

"So if people want to blame me for everything that went wrong on defense last year," Peppers continued, "so be it. That's fine. It's somewhat of a responsibility to take the fall when things happen to the part of the team you're supposed to be the leader of."

What went wrong? Peppers points to "injuries, loss of key personnel, loss of key coaches." All of it compounded. Peppers said he never spoke to anyone in the Bears front office prior to the release. They moved quickly, quietly. He's not sure how coordinator Mel Tucker could have used him better. The 2013 was very frustrating, though.

Doubts built for the first time. And those doubts irritate Peppers.

He's no fan of the assumption that, at 6-6, 287, he should rag-doll tackles on demand.

"It's not as easy as people think it should be all the time," Peppers said. "So if I should go out every game and have one or two sacks, then what about the guys I'm playing against? Are they there to serve me and help me get whatever I'm supposed to get?

"I've done a good job of blocking it out. But if I actually listened to everything that everybody said about me, I'd be going crazy right now. It gets tough at times."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/275344501.html

From Foster’s standpoint it is frustrating because, he says, Peppers has never been fully appreciated.

“He had God-given ability,” he said. “I just feel like no matter what he’s done, it’s never been enough. He could make the Pro Bowl, he could be All-American, he could be all-state, he could do whatever and it’s still ‘he should have done this’ and ‘he should have done that.’ I think he’s done a tremendous job of handling it the right way.”

When you’re this big, this athletic, criticism is natural.

Peppers does want to prove people wrong at 34. On a signed football for Foster’s son, he wrote “Still proving them wrong.”

“One of the best things he’s ever done is listen more than he’s talked,” Foster said. “I think sometimes people assume he doesn’t know what’s going on when he really does. I think he’s very aware of every situation he’s been in and always wants to prove himself. … That’s sort of what it’s been his whole career and I don’t understand that. If you talk to all of his teammates, I think they all appreciate his work ethic and what he does.”

Everyone in Green Bay from Mike Trgovac to Winston Moss to teammates has reiterated that Julius Peppers is not a talker. He’s not a vocal leader.

Hurney noticed this himself when he held the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Peppers was one very soft-spoken prospect.

The athletic ability on the field was unquestioned. Back then, the question was if Peppers gave a consistent effort. He carried a very “quiet demeanor,” Hurney said. And that, he added, “can be misunderstood.”

To get to the bottom of it, the Panthers studied Peppers’ on-field…and on-court intensity.

Their evaluation process included a long look at Peppers’ college basketball footage at North Carolina.

“It showed the intensity there, as well,” Hurney said. “It wasn’t a lack of an intensity. Sometimes, it was an ability to just finish plays, which you see in a lot of college players. But you don’t find football players with that height, the measurables and the athletic ability to go with it. He’s such a fluid and smooth athlete that sometimes people watch and say, ‘Well, is he going hard?’ He’s just so fluid and so athletic and so big that he might not look like he’s going as fast as you think he is but he is.”

Hurney knew far in advance that the expansion Houston Texans would be taking David Carr. His choice included the likes of Joey Harringon, guard Mike Williams, Quentin Jammer and Peppers.

In his draft room, Hurney asked the question: “Can Peppers give us 10-12 sacks a year?” He wanted to build a team on defense with new coach John Fox. The answer was yes. He'd start with the pass rusher.

He was too big, too athletic, too potentially special to pass up. And Hurney came to the conclusion that Peppers was "as competitive as anybody."

They saw that much in his basketball tape. His slam dunks had pop.

Since Hurney is from Maryland, the Panthers' brass watched some of Peppers' basketball plays against the Terps.

“There was one slam dunk that he left his feet and it was just a ferocious slam dunk," Hurney said. "But there were several. Any time you watched him, he was an intense athlete, whether it was on the football field, the basketball court, wherever. You could see the competitiveness in him.”

And the more Hurney talked to Peppers — from the Combine to a visit to several discussions — the more that competitiveness came out, he said.

A knack for big plays

Green Bay won’t need Julius Peppers to be an every-down player. On Sunday, he played 30 snaps as a defensive end, 17 as an outside linebacker and led the Packers with 3 ½ pressures. Above all, Green Bay is counting on Peppers making the key play at the key moment, a trademark of that 2010 Super Bowl team.

“When you talk to him,” Hurney said, “he’s so soft spoken and he doesn’t say a ton. But what he says, means a lot. The easiest way to see it is to watch the tape — the big plays, the impact plays he makes. Go through his career, there are so many games he makes the impact play that decides the game or turns the momentum. He’s an impact player, he’s a playmaker that makes big plays at critical times.”

Many of Peppers' blocked kicks (13), sacks (118.5), interceptions (nine) and forced fumbles (39) came at the right time.

Hurney brings up one sack that actually knocked Arizona’s Kurt Warner out of the game in 2007. Peppers sacked Warner, forced the fumble and recovered the fumble.

This Packers defense has been missing timely turnovers since winning the title. One reason is the lack of a legitimate pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews.

Hurney remembers first imagining Peppers' playmaking potential during Peppers' 40-yard dash and three-cone drill at the NFL scouting combine.

“You looked at the clock and it was like, ‘Wow. That’s incredible for a guy that size,’" he said. "He’s just an incredible athlete. And again, he’s got incredible instincts to be in the right place at the right time. When you combine those two, it makes a terrific football player.

“He’s just a special athlete, who’s got that ‘it’ quality about him. He just has that special instinct that great athletes have.”

So now, he's chasing a ring in Green Bay. The defense as a whole is off to a rocky start. In time, Capers will be counting on Peppers delivering at critical moments --- much like Mike Daniels on Sunday.

Hurney, who’s now a sports radio host for ESPN-Charlotte, believes Peppers will excel at 34 years old because it’s a new challenge, a new team.

“He embraces that challenge,” Hurney said. “And that’s what I’ll say about him this year. I think that changing teams—going to the Packers—he challenges himself more than anybody. He has higher expectations for himself than anybody else does. So it doesn’t bother him what people say or what people expect from him because nobody can expect more from him than he does.”

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000159114/article/carolina-panthers-best-and-worst-draft-picks

Not many people outside of the Carolinas probably remember this, but there was a vocal faction leading up to the 2002 NFL Draft that felt the Panthers should take Oregon QB Joey Harrington. Good thing John Fox stuck to his defensive instincts. While Harrington flamed out in Detroit, Peppers emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous pass rushers. Peppers posted 12 sacks his rookie season and had five other double-digit sack seasons in Carolina. A two-sport star at UNC, Peppers' athleticism made him unique among his peers. How he lost out on the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004 -- a season in which he scored two touchdowns in addition to his 11 sacks -- remains one of the sport's unsung travesties.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/panthers/2006-11-22-peppers-cover_x.htm

Joe Theismann:
After watching Peppers notch three sacks, bat down a pass and recover a fumble in a 24-10 win against Tampa Bay, ESPNMonday Night Football analyst Joe Theismann put Peppers in rarefied air, comparing him to Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor.

"This is the best way to put in perspective the way we viewed Lawrence, and I think this is the way people should view Julius," Theismann says. "When coaches draw up defenses, they use letters to denote defensive players: 'C' for corner, 'S' for safety, so on. In Washington, we would use letters until it came to Lawrence. For him, we used No. 56, and it was always bigger than everything else. That visually put everything into context, saying, 'This guy is better than anybody else on that board.' "

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/11/14/aikman-peppers-is-a-game-changer/
Troy Aikman:
For Aikman, the Bears allowing Peppers to attack the middle of an offensive line is reminiscent of one of the greatest defensive linemen in the history of the game he used to play against.

“Going to back to when I was playing, they used to do that, the Philadelphia Eagles did, with Reggie White,” Aikman said. “You think you know where he’s going to be, or you anticipate that he’s going to be here most of the time, but then you know he’s going to move up and down that offensive line until he finds a matchup that he feels good about. That puts some stress on an offense.”

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-18/sports/ct-spt-1118-bears-pompei-chicago--20111118_1_three-technique-famer-dan-hampton-bears

Dan Hampton:
The Bears' other pass rushers might benefit from Peppers the DT more than Peppers the DE.
"As a defensive end you can affect (only) so much of what happens," Hampton said. "If they turn a guard to you or chip you with a tight end, you're basically going to be a non-factor. But if you're coming up the middle, with his (6-foot-7, 287-pound) frame, it's a force. It's a deal breaker."

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/11/29/hampton-peppers-is-leader-of-defense/
Dan Hampton:
“Julius Peppers is the guy, the lead dog that is bringing this group from a mediocre group to a group that is throwing people around” Hampton said. “They were physical. They were relentless…Julius Peppers has been a huge influence on how, maybe, the way they prepare, but [also] the way they’re playing. And that’s the big thing.”

http://www.si.com/nfl/2011/01/18/nfl-all-pro-team
Peter King:
Though Peppers had but eight sacks this year, he had a huge impact on a defense that went from 21st in the league in points allowed in 2009 to fourth this year; from 4.3 yards per rush last year to 3.7 this year; from 29 touchdown passes surrendered last year to 14 this year. He pushes the pocket. He buzzes around the quarterback. He makes other guys -- Israel Idonije, Tommie Harris -- better.There's no question the return of Brian Urlacher at the pivot point of the defense has been a significant addition, but Peppers has been the most important reason the Bears have become the Monsters of the Midway again, and that's why he's my defensive player of the year.
He's the John Stockton of the Bears defense, the guy who makes everyone around him better.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-07-04-top-10-defensive-ends_n.htm
Deacon Jones:
"Julius Peppers impresses me as much as anyone," Jones says. "He has it all."

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/3656/rexs-favorite-bear
Rex Ryan:
Of course, I also realize that this guy is the best there is.
"He’s another guy, you can’t throw over him," Ryan said. "That’s what’s so underrated about him. You can try to throw intermediate passes over him ... Well, maybe you can or maybe you can’t. The guy’s wingspan is incredible. His height, wingspan. It’s just incredible how many plays he makes. He’ll bat it down and then he’ll catch it. There’s very few Julius Peppers’ walking the face of this earth."

http://deadspin.com/5611609/brian-urlacher-thinks-julius-peppers-is-the-best-player-hes-ever-seen
Brian Urlacher:
"I'll say this about Peppers, he's the best football player I've ever seen. He's 300 pounds. He does things DBs are doing. I don't know how we got him, but I'm glad we did."

http://www.yardbarker.com/
Lovie Smith:
"Julius Peppers is arguably the best player in the NFL, that is what I think. I get a chance to watch him. The things he does, you know, he will very seldom lead the league in sacks because he gets respect always double team, triple team. But he had a heck of a year."

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5900330
Lovie Smith:
"No doubt, he makes the defense better. We've had great football players here, but this is a special player we're talking about," Smith said.

Bill Belichick:
"You could put him anywhere on the field," Belichick said. "He can play on the front line, he could play linebacker. He could play strong safety. He could play anywhere on the defensive line. He's tall. Richard Seymour was tall and he played there. Put him out at tight end, make a left tackle out of him. I wouldn't want to tackle him if he was carrying the ball. He's a great player."

Tom Brady:
"He's one of the best in the league. He's big, strong, fast, athletic. He's got seven sacks, wreaking havoc," Brady said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5900330
Jerry Angelo:
I think he’s great. I wouldn’t take another defensive player in the league outside of him. He’s a great player. He has impacted our defense. He’s a guy you have to account for. He plays all three downs. Don’t let the sack numbers be the end result of how you measure this guy. He really, truly is a great player. He has been a great leader for us, too, and you can’t minimize the intangibles. I think a big part of why we’ve been playing good defense is intangibly, we’re very, very strong. I’ve got to say this: It starts with him.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02EFD8113DF932A3575BC0A9669D8B63
Michael Strahan:
Q. Who do you think will break your record of 22.5 sacks in a season?A. DeMarcus Ware is amazing. Julius Peppers is amazing. They look like they can do it.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-02/sports/ct-spt-1202-d-line-bears-chicago--20111202_1_peppers-israel-idonije-sacks
"Guy is a monster," weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs said.

Offered Idonije: "He literally is throwing guys all over the place. I mean, throwing tackles, tight ends, it doesn't matter who he's lined up against. He has his way with those guys. It's just incredible to watch."

It's the kind of performance that doesn't translate into stat sheets and doesn't even get its proper due on a highlight show.

"The numbers don't talk about what he did," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "It was the intensity of the game he played at, the speed. My God, the details of his pass rush. Forget the sacks already. Some of the rushes where the ball came out quick, they were some of the prettiest rushes you'd ever want to see. Just beautiful, the skill, the technique, the work habit, you know? He's starting to really come right now. It ignites everybody else around him."

http://slumz.boxden.com/f16/deep-article-on-julius-peppers-786596/
Howie Long:
"It's rare when you have the opportunity to see a player who is ahead of his time," said Howie Long, a Hall of Fame defensive end and Fox Sports NFL analyst. "Lawrence Taylor was ahead of his time. Kellen Winslow was ahead of his time. They gave you a snapshot glimpse of what you could see in the future. Julius Peppers is that way."

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/every-play-counts/2006/every-play-counts-julius-peppers

Peppers showed on Sunday that he's not just a good player. He's the best defensive player in the NFL.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-peppersbears011411

“[Peppers] can force them to change what they’re doing, because they have to pay more attention to him,” Idonije said. “I’ve been fortunate this year just to be able to reap the benefits of that.”

http://nflcommunications.com/2014/09/02/quotes-from-nfl-networks-nfl-gameday-season-preview/

Warren Sapp:
“Not since Reggie White have the Packers had a pass rusher of this magnitude.”

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-ask-vic/article-1/Julius-Peppers-mightve-become-the-next-LT/ac0a0a0a-90be-43ee-90bc-6382654012d0

Vic Ketchman:
"Here’s something I’ve decided about Peppers: He was out of position for 12 years. Had he been drafted No. 1 overall in 2002, as he should’ve been, he would’ve been used as a play-making linebacker. Instead of having to put his hand down, identify himself to the defense and become a stationary target, he could’ve been used in a manner that would’ve made him more difficult to find and block. He might’ve become the next Lawrence Taylor."

Peppers will be a first ballot hall of famer and go down as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

FartWaffles · October 16, 2014

Glanvilles Grits · October 16, 2014

There's kind of no sense in this conversation in my opinion. Potential can never outweigh a players determination to be the best.

Julius Peppers achievements and stats speak for themselves at this point.

I voted yes that he reached his potential because how can a players potential be any higher than what they accomplish if they haven't got the determination to accomplish more? Two or three consecutive years in Carolina, while he was still the best in the game, his determination was questioned and he actually was smashed for not always "trying", much like Clowney in his senior season. I just don't think there was any more potential than what he accomplished based on how he played.

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F · October 16, 2014

I think Peppers gets an undeserving bad wrap as not always playing hard, that was said about him when he came out of college and has stuck with him for whatever reason. Peppers and his coaches have said he is just such a fluent athlete that it may not look like he's trying hard when in fact he is, like on his most recent interception return for a TD last week, didn't look like he was running that fast but he was. Peppers is this generations most dominant edge rusher and does everything well, getting sacks and pressuring the QB, interceptions, passes defensed and blocked kicks, forcing and recovering fumbles, taking on double teams and setting the edge against the run, etc.

We'll have to see how long he and some of the other edge rusher play, and what they'll accomplished by the ends of their respective careers to see where they all rank.

Julius Peppers: Currently in his 13th season

Tackles - 572

Sacks - 120

Forced Fumbles - 40

Fumble Recoveries - 15

Interceptions - 10

Touchdowns - 5

Passes defensed - 65

Stuffs - 49

Safeties - 0

Blocked kicks - 13

Hurries - 129 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 3

Second team all pros - 3

Pro Bowls - 8

2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 147

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3530/julius-peppers

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeppJu99.htm Approximate Value

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/80980/julius-peppers/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries stat)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

Jared Allen: Currently in his 11th season

Tackles - 572

Sacks - 128.5

Forced Fumbles - 30

Fumble Recoveries - 17

Interceptions - 5

Touchdowns - 4 (2 of them being on offense)

Passes defensed - 52

Stuffs - 66

Safeties - 4

Blocked kicks - 1

Hurries - 98 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 4

Second team all pros - 0

Pro Bowls - 5

Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5651/jared-allen

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/246333/jared-allen/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Allen

DeMarcus Ware: Currently in his 10th season

Tackles - 585

Sacks - 120

Forced Fumbles - 33

Fumble Recoveries - 7

Interceptions - 2

Touchdowns - 3

Passes defensed - 24

Stuffs - 56

Safeties - 0

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - 119 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 4

Second team all pros - 3

Pro Bowls - 7

Career Approximate Value - 103

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/8426/demarcus-ware

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WareDe99.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/161722/demarcus-ware/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeMarcus_Ware

Dwight Freeney: Currently in his 13th season

Tackles - 303

Sacks - 110

Forced Fumbles - 44

Fumble Recoveries - 4

Interceptions - 0

Touchdowns - 1

Passes defensed - 15

Stuffs - 36

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - 116 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 3

Second team all pros - 1

Pro Bowls - 7

Career Approximate Value - 95

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3539/dwight-freeney

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/80989/dwight-freeney/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Freeney

Robert Mathis: Currently injured, 11 seasons played

Tackles - 487

Sacks - 111

Forced Fumbles - 48

Fumble Recoveries - 14

Interceptions - 1

Touchdowns - 1

Passes defensed - 15

Stuffs - 37

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - 95 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 1

Second team all pros - 0

Pro Bowls - 5

Career Approximate Value - 72

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4596/robert-mathis

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MathRo20.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/184663/robert-mathis/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mathis

Terrell Suggs: Currently in his 12th season

Tackles - 683

Sacks - 95

Forced Fumbles - 27

Fumble Recoveries - 11

Interceptions - 7

Touchdowns - 2

Passes defensed - 48

Stuffs - 75

Safeties - 0

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - 86 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 1

Second team all pros - 1

Pro Bowls - 6

2003 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year

2011 NFL Defensive Player of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4468/terrell-suggs

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuggTe99.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/184512/terrell-suggs/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrell_Suggs

James Harrison: Currently in his 12th season

Tackles - 648

Sacks - 66

Forced Fumbles - 29

Fumble Recoveries - 8

Interceptions - 6

Touchdowns - 1

Passes defensed - 20

Stuffs - 52

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 1

Hurries - 36 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 2

Second team all pros - 2

Pro Bowls - 5

2008 NFL Defensive Player of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 101

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4433/james-harrison

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa23.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/183237/james-harrison/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harrison_(American_football)

John Abraham: Injured, played 14 seasons, will probably retire

Tackles - 545

Sacks - 133.5

Forced Fumbles - 48

Fumble Recoveries - 6

Interceptions - 1

Touchdowns - 1

Passes defensed - 28

Stuffs - 51

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 1

Hurries - 85 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 2

Second team all pros - 1

Pro Bowls - 5

Career Approximate Value - 119

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2144/john-abraham

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AbraJo00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/25161/john-abraham/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Abraham_(American_football)

Joey Porter: Played 13 seasons

Tackles - 667

Sacks - 98

Forced Fumbles - 26

Fumble Recoveries - 9

Interceptions - 12

Touchdowns - 3

Passes defensed - 50

Stuffs - 41 ?

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - 33 (Since 2006)

First team all pros - 1

Second team all pros - 3

Pro Bowls - 4

Career Approximate Value - 112

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1826/joey-porter

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PortJo00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/24842/joey-porter/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Porter

Simeon Rice: Played 13 seasons

Tackles - 470

Sacks - 122

Forced Fumbles - 35

Fumble Recoveries - 8

Interceptions - 5

Touchdowns - 0

Passes defensed - 58

Stuffs - ??

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 0

Hurries - ??

First team all pros - 1

Second team all pros - 2

Pro Bowls - 3

1996 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 104

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/970/simeon-rice

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceSi00.htm AV

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/23672/simeon-rice/#Tackles%20%26%20Assists$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990(Hurries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Rice

Michael Strahan: Played 15 seasons

Tackles - 851

Sacks - 141.5

Forced Fumbles - 22

Fumble Recoveries - 15

Interceptions - 4

Touchdowns - 3

Passes defensed - 36

Stuffs - ??

Safeties - 1

Blocked kicks - 1

Hurries - ??

First team all pros - 4

Second team all pros - 2

Pro Bowls - 7

2001 NFL Defensive Player of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 160

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/495/michael-strahan

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StraMi02.htm AV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Strahan

Jason Taylor: 15 seasons played

Tackles - 774

Sacks - 139.5

Forced Fumbles - 47

Fumble Recoveries - 29

Interceptions - 8

Touchdowns - 9

Passes defensed - 94

Stuffs - ??

Safeties - 3

Blocked kicks - 2

Hurries - ??

First team all pros - 3

Second team all pros - 1

Pro Bowls - 6

2006 NFL Defensive Player of The Year

Career Approximate Value - 155

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1245/jason-taylor

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Taylor_(American_football)

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_career.htm NFL career sack leaders

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

NFL awards and honors

NFL Rookie of the Month (10/02)

2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team (2002)

2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year

2004 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

2013 Brian Piccolo Award

NFL 2000s All Decade Team

Pro-Football-Reference All 2000s Team

100 Sacks Club

2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 NFC Pro Bowl

2004, 2006, 2010 All-Pro First Team

2008, 2009, 2012 All-Pro Second Team

Six time NFC Defensive Player of the Week (11/13/06, 11/9/08, 11/1/09, 11/18/10, 12/23/12, 10/2/2014)

Four time NFC Defensive Player of the Month (11/2004, 10/2006, 11/2010, 11/2011)

Panthers franchise records

Most career sacks: (81)

Most career forced fumbles: (30)

Longest Interception return: 97 yards (vs. Denver Broncos 10/10/04)

NFL records and accomplishments

Seventeenth most sacks in NFL history: 120

Tied for fifth most double digit sack seasons in NFL history: 8

Tied for fifth most games with at least three sacks: 9

Fourteenth most multiple sack games in NFL history: 30

Tied for ninth most forced fumbles in NFL history: 40

Second most interceptions by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 9 *10 career interceptions including time played as a linebacker

Most interception return yards by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 192 yds *241 career interception return yards including time played as a linebacker

Most interception return yards in a single season by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 143 yds

Most interception return yards in a single game by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds

Longest interception return by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds

Most combined interception and fumble return yards by a defensive lineman in a single season since NFL merger in 1970: 203 yds

Tied for second most interceptions returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 2 *3 career interceptions returned for a touchdown including time played as a linebacker

Third most passes defensed by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 62 *65 career passes defensed including time played as a linebacker

Second most blocked kicks in NFL history: 13

Only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions

Peppers has three career games with at least a half-sack and an interception-return touchdown, the most such games in the NFL since the sack became an official statistic in 1982

This unnecessarily long post is cute. But in no way is he a first ballot HOF.

Anybody can go on listing accomplishments and quotes, and accomplishments about players who at some point or another have been considered even good.

There's kind of no sense in this conversation in my opinion. Potential can never outweigh a players determination to be the best.

Julius Peppers achievements and stats speak for themselves at this point.

I voted yes that he reached his potential because how can a players potential be any higher than what they accomplish if they haven't got the determination to accomplish more? Two or three consecutive years in Carolina, while he was still the best in the game, his determination was questioned and he actually was smashed for not always "trying", much like Clowney in his senior season. I just don't think there was any more potential than what he accomplished based on how he played.

This post kinda makes no sense Your potential is what you get when you put your best effort forth. Anybody who thinks Peppers did so on a regular basis is fooling themselves.

There was a stretch of a few seasons where Peppers was regarded as the best defensive player in the game...

You'll have to highlight this stretch of few seasons...

Glanvilles Grits · October 16, 2014

How does it make no sense? If a guy isn't determined each and every time out, then then he hasn't g got any more potential than his stats show.

ATL_Predator+ · October 16, 2014

He played admirably with the Panthers, if he would've kept up the same production with them when he went to Chicago..I think we'd have a legitimate discussion here.

To me, he's nowhere close to being what he should've been. He was capable of being so much more..and kinda just didn't make it.

No.

PredatorPeppers · October 16, 2014

He played admirably with the Panthers, if he would've kept up the same production with them when he went to Chicago..I think we'd have a legitimate discussion here.

To me, he's nowhere close to being what he should've been. He was capable of being so much more..and kinda just didn't make it.

No.

Umm, he still was dominant while with the Bears. He finished 4th in the defensive player of the year award voting in 2010, made the pro bowl in 2010, 2011, 2012, was first team all pro in 2010 and second team all pro in 2012. Put up good stats and was a dominant force in the league, he still is dominant in Green Bay now, he just doesn't play as many snaps now lowering his contribution.

How is he "nowhere close to being what he should have been? In the words of Keyshawn Johnson, c'mon man...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

College Football Awards and honors[edit]

Sporting News Freshman All-American (1999)
First-team All-ACC (2000)
Second-team Associated Press All-American (2000)
Second-team Football News All-American (2000)
Division I-A sacks leader (2000)
First-team All-ACC (2001)
Consensus first-team All-American (2001)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist (2001)
Chuck Bednarik Award (2001)
Bill Willis Trophy (2001)
Lombardi Award (2001)

NFL awards and honors[edit]

NFL Rookie of the Month (10/02)

2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team (2002)

2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year

2004 NFC Defensive Player of the Year

2013 Brian Piccolo Award

NFL 2000s All Decade Team

Pro-Football-Reference All 2000s Team

100 Sacks Club

2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 NFC Pro Bowl

2004, 2006, 2010 All-Pro First Team

2008, 2009, 2012 All-Pro Second Team

Six time NFC Defensive Player of the Week (11/13/06, 11/9/08, 11/1/09, 11/18/10, 12/23/12, 10/2/2014)

Four time NFC Defensive Player of the Month (11/2004, 10/2006, 11/2010, 11/2011)

Panthers franchise records[edit]

Most career sacks: (81)
Most career forced fumbles: (30)
Longest Interception return: 97 yards (vs. Denver Broncos 10/10/04)

NFL records and accomplishments[edit]

Seventeenth most sacks in NFL history: 120
Tied for fifth most double digit sack seasons in NFL history: 8
Tied for fifth most games with at least three sacks: 9
Fourteenth most multiple sack games in NFL history: 30
Tied for ninth most forced fumbles in NFL history: 40
Second most interceptions by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 9 *10 career interceptions including time played as a linebacker
Most interception return yards by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 192 yds *241 career interception return yards including time played as a linebacker
Most interception return yards in a single season by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 143 yds
Most interception return yards in a single game by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds
Longest interception return by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds
Most combined interception and fumble return yards by a defensive lineman in a single season since NFL merger in 1970: 203 yds
Tied for second most interceptions returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 2 *3 career interceptions returned for a touchdown including time played as a linebacker
Third most passes defensed by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 62 *65 career passes defensed including time played as a linebacker
Second most blocked kicks in NFL history: 13
Only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions
Peppers has three career games with at least a half-sack and an interception-return touchdown, the most such games in the NFL since the sack became an official statistic in 1982

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F · October 16, 2014

How does it make no sense? If a guy isn't determined each and every time out, then then he hasn't g got any more potential than his stats show.

Because potential is literally defined as the capacity that someone shows. By that literal definition, the dominance that Peppers flashed only a few games a year is his potential. In other words, that is what he's capable of doing, ergo anything less then that is falling short of your (his) potential.

And that's just from a literal perspective. In the NFL your potential coming in is based on your college production (which was great) and your athletic ability (again, arguably, if not the greatest defensive athlete ever). That's GOAT stuff. Peppers was not that, and really wasn't/hasn't been that.

Effort doesn't, and shouldn't play a role in what an individual's potential is, because until proven otherwise, potential is a hypothetical of how good you can be, not how good you are.

Edited October 16, 2014 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

ATL_Predator+ · October 16, 2014

Umm, he still was dominant while with the Bears. He finished 4th in the defensive player of the year award voting in 2010, made the pro bowl in 2010, 2011, 2012, was first team all pro in 2010 and second team all pro in 2012. Put up good stats and was a dominant force in the league, he still is dominant in Green Bay now, he just doesn't play as many snaps now lowering his contribution.

How is he "nowhere close to being what he should have been? In the words of Keyshawn Johnson, c'mon man...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Peppers

College Football Awards and honors[edit]
Sporting News Freshman All-American (1999)

First-team All-ACC (2000)

Second-team Associated Press All-American (2000)

Second-team Football News All-American (2000)

Division I-A sacks leader (2000)

First-team All-ACC (2001)

Consensus first-team All-American (2001)

Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist (2001)

Chuck Bednarik Award (2001)

Bill Willis Trophy (2001)

Lombardi Award (2001)

NFL awards and honors[edit]
NFL Rookie of the Month (10/02)
2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team (2002)
2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year
2004 NFC Defensive Player of the Year
2013 Brian Piccolo Award
NFL 2000s All Decade Team
Pro-Football-Reference All 2000s Team
100 Sacks Club
2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 NFC Pro Bowl
2004, 2006, 2010 All-Pro First Team
2008, 2009, 2012 All-Pro Second Team
Six time NFC Defensive Player of the Week (11/13/06, 11/9/08, 11/1/09, 11/18/10, 12/23/12, 10/2/2014)
Four time NFC Defensive Player of the Month (11/2004, 10/2006, 11/2010, 11/2011)
Panthers franchise records[edit]
Most career sacks: (81)

Most career forced fumbles: (30)

Longest Interception return: 97 yards (vs. Denver Broncos 10/10/04)

NFL records and accomplishments[edit]
Seventeenth most sacks in NFL history: 120

Tied for fifth most double digit sack seasons in NFL history: 8

Tied for fifth most games with at least three sacks: 9

Fourteenth most multiple sack games in NFL history: 30

Tied for ninth most forced fumbles in NFL history: 40

Second most interceptions by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 9 *10 career interceptions including time played as a linebacker

Most interception return yards by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 192 yds *241 career interception return yards including time played as a linebacker

Most interception return yards in a single season by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 143 yds

Most interception return yards in a single game by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds

Longest interception return by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 97 yds

Most combined interception and fumble return yards by a defensive lineman in a single season since NFL merger in 1970: 203 yds

Tied for second most interceptions returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 2 *3 career interceptions returned for a touchdown including time played as a linebacker

Third most passes defensed by a defensive lineman in NFL history: 62 *65 career passes defensed including time played as a linebacker

Second most blocked kicks in NFL history: 13

Only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions

Peppers has three career games with at least a half-sack and an interception-return touchdown, the most such games in the NFL since the sack became an official statistic in 1982

Lol.

You can bring up all the numbers you want. The college stats mean nothing in regards to being the GOAT, which is what this thread is about. Living up to his potential, which many thought he could be the greatest at his position...and according to the stats that you just posted...

Yes. What he did in his career was great, but was it that legendary status that many believed him to be? No.

This topic isn't about any numbers or awards, it's about was a player capable of being the best he could be..and that answer is no. If so, this topic wouldn't even need to be created.

PredatorPeppers · October 16, 2014

This unnecessarily long post is cute. But in no way is he a first ballot HOF.

Anybody can go on listing accomplishments and quotes, and accomplishments about players who at some point or another have been considered even good.

This post kinda makes no sense Your potential is what you get when you put your best effort forth. Anybody who thinks Peppers did so on a regular basis is fooling themselves.

You'll have to highlight this stretch of few seasons...

Peppers MOST DEFINITELY is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Bring me some accomplishments and quotes that add up to Peppers resume and see if they are ANYWHERE NEAR as deserving of first ballot hall of fame potential. Jason Taylor is the only one and should be a first ballot of famer imo. And Peppers isn't done yet adding stats and accolades to his resume.

Peppers was the most dominant defensive end in the NFL in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010. And probably more than that. Sack stats aren't everything man, Peppers dominates game in ways stats don't always show, like taking on double teams to allow his teammates to make plays, shutting down the run, pressuring the QB, etc. But he also was/is an overall wrecking ball on defense and puts up great stats all across the board as well, much like J.J. Watt. Blocked kicks, interceptions, touchdowns, passes defensed, forced fumbles, recovered fumbles, the list goes on. Peppers IS one the most dominant defensive players in NFL history!

And not only was he was one of the best defensive ends, he was at times the best defensive player in the entire NFL.

http://www.si.com/vault/2005/09/05/8272204/1-carolina-panthers

You could argue that Carolina's best big-play threat last season didn't line up at wide receiver or in the backfield. He was on the defensive line, in the form of 6'7", 290-pound end Julius Peppers. That's part commentary on the injuries that bedeviled the Panthers in 2004--they played most of the season without receiver Steve Smith and running backs Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster--but it also tells you something about Peppers's athleticism. Against Tampa Bay he returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown; against Atlanta he snatched a Michael Vick fumble out of midair with one hand and went 60 yards for a score; and against Denver he returned an interception 97 yards before being dragged down just short of the goal line. No other Carolina player had as many plays of at least 45 yards.

You could write that off as a case of Peppers's being in the right place at the right time; or, more accurately, you could say that Peppers, who also led Carolina in sacks (11) and forced fumbles (four), is redefining the defensive end position.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/every-play-counts/2006/every-play-counts-julius-peppers

Peppers showed on Sunday that he's not just a good player. He's the best defensive player in the NFL.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-07-04-top-10-defensive-ends_n.htm

Peppers was ranked as the game's best defensive end by USA TODAY Sports Weekly's panel of NFL writers and editors. Regarded primarily as a sack master during his first eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Peppers also was a force in shutting down opposing backfields in the Bears' 4-3 defensive alignment in 2010.

When Chicago raced to a 4-1 start in October, Pro Football Weekly splashed the powerful end on its cover and proclaimed him, "The Newest Monster of the Midway." Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, Peppers' highly decorated teammate, called him the best defensive player in the NFL.

He even pleased at least one tough critic.

"Julius Peppers impresses me as much as anyone," Jones says. "He has it all."

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F · October 16, 2014

Lol. You are reaching. He wasn't even the best defensive end of the 2000s.

And save the "teams focused more on him" crap. That means nothing. Tons of great defensive players have produced with more attention at them including Watt now.

Lol at mentioning Peppers with some of the greatest defensive players of all time. That's a joke in of itself.

We are again talking about a guy who has NEVER put up a season with over 15 sacks, and had a season where he played double digit games and finished with less then 3 sacks.

PredatorPeppers · October 16, 2014

Because potential is literally defined as the capacity that someone shows. By that literal definition, the dominance that Peppers flashed only a few games a year is his potential. In other words, that is what he's capable of doing, ergo anything less then that is falling short of your (his) potential.

And that's just from a literal perspective. In the NFL your potential coming in is based on your college production (which was great) and your athletic ability (again, arguably, if not the greatest defensive athlete ever). That's GOAT stuff. Peppers was not that, and really wasn't/hasn't been that.

Effort doesn't, and shouldn't play a role in what an individual's potential is, because until proven otherwise, potential is a hypothetical of how good you can be, not how good you are.

Dude, sacks and other stats aren't everything man. Like I said earlier, Peppers does things that don't always show up in the stats sheet, and still dominates game. He has had a HUGE impact for his respective teams throughout his career...

Peppers has been dominating since he entered the league in 2002...

http://www.panthers....ea-45bd307bd462

Peppers helped Panthers boast only defensive unit since the NFL merger in 1970 to improve from last in the League in total defense to second in one season. (His Rookie year.)

There's no defensive player in the NFL that has more impact for his team than Julius Peppers.

http://sportsillustr...team/index.html

Though Peppers had but eight sacks this year, he had a huge impact on a defense that went from 21st in the league in points allowed in 2009 to fourth this year; from 4.3 yards per rush last year to 3.7 this year; from 29 touchdown passes surrendered last year to 14 this year. He pushes the pocket. He buzzes around the quarterback. He makes other guys -- Israel Idonije, Tommie Harris -- better.

There's no question the return of Brian Urlacher at the pivot point of the defense has been a significant addition, but Peppers has been the most important reason the Bears have become the Monsters of the Midway again, and that's why he's my defensive player of the year.

He's the John Stockton of the Bears defense, the guy who makes everyone around him better.

http://sports.yahoo....persbears011411

Peppers makes plays in spite of double teams and he empowers Smith’s Tampa 2-based defense to stick to its roots, relying on a four-man rush instead of counting on linebackers and defensive backs to blitz. According to Football Outsiders, the Bears rushed six or more defenders on 16.7 percent of passes in 2009, the third-highest rate in the league. They also sent only four players on 56.4 percent of pass plays (22nd). This season, though, the Bears have sent six or more defenders just 1.4 percent of plays (25th), and they relied on a four-man rush 72.2 percent of pass plays, the third-highest total in the league.

The Bears’ run defense was ranked second – its highest since the 2001 season – and it also allowed the third-fewest points (16.0)

The Panthers always won atleast 7 games while Peppers played for them, the year he leaves, they only win 2 games, meanwhile Chicago missed the playoffs 3 straight seasons, Peppers comes to town and they make it to the NFC championship game... that shows his impact.

Peppers finished 4th in the DPOY Award voting in 2010 with only 8 sacks only further proving it's not all about sacks, but about how much impact Peppers has for his team.

http://espn.go.com/b...-julius-peppers

"I think we all know on the team, I'm speaking of players and coaches, I think we all know what I'm bringing to the team," Peppers said. "And while the numbers aren't popping out on the page, the things that I'm doing when you see the tape, it's good football out there. I'm pleased with it. I think everybody else is pleased with it, and hopefully by the end of the year, the numbers will be matching up to what we see on the field."

It's happened before in Peppers' career. As the first chart shows, he amassed 10.5 sacks in the second half of the 2008 season and 6.5 after the midpoint of 2005. It's true: Sacks can come in bunches.

But in the meantime, how can we fairly judge Peppers' performance? As we've noted several times, his presence has allowed the Bears to limit their blitz frequency and devote more players to coverage. The results has been remarkable. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Bears have the NFL's best pass defense when rushing four or fewer men.

The second chart provides those details. The Bears have rushed four or fewer men on about 70 percent of opponents' dropbacks this season. Opposing quarterbacks have a 66.6 passer rating in those situations, the lowest in the league.

With all due respect to the rest of the Bears' line, including defensive end Israel Idonije and his five sacks, I think we can reasonably trace that success to Peppers and the havoc he creates. He leads the Bears with 12 quarterback pressures, has intercepted one pass at the line of scrimmage and batted away two others while also forcing fumbles after both of his sacks.

"I've been pleased," Peppers said. "The numbers aren't where we would like them to be, but those things will come. But other than that, I think it's been a great season. I think it's been one of my better seasons playing the position overall. Rushing and playing the run and just being active on the field, it's been one of my better years."

But more than anything, what we saw in the first half was a textbook example of how an elite pass-rusher can impact a team in ways other than sacks. Do you think the Bears would have the NFL's No. 8 defense without Peppers?

This argument could all be a moot point after Sunday, when Peppers will face a Minnesota Vikings team he lit up last season as a member of theCarolina Panthers. Peppers played so well early in that game, notching a sack along with three other quarterback hits while also batting down a pass, that the Vikings benched Pro Bowl left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

"I've been seeing [extra help] a lot, just as I have my whole career," Peppers said. "It's not anything new. So you know, I'm being patient, I'm working hard. The sacks and stuff will come. I'm not really concerned about sacks right now. I'm concerned about winning games and being disruptive. I think I'm doing a good job at that."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000159114/article/carolina-panthers-best-and-worst-draft-picks

Not many people outside of the Carolinas probably remember this, but there was a vocal faction leading up to the 2002 NFL Draft that felt thePanthers should take Oregon QB Joey Harrington. Good thing John Fox stuck to his defensive instincts. While Harrington flamed out in Detroit, Peppers emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous pass rushers. Peppers posted 12 sacks his rookie season and had five other double-digit sack seasons in Carolina. A two-sport star at UNC, Peppers' athleticism made him unique among his peers. How he lost out on the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004 -- a season in which he scored two touchdowns in addition to his 11 sacks -- remains one of the sport's unsung travesties.

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Did Julius Peppers Live Up to His Potential?

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1. Did Julius Peppers live up to his potential?

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