Julius Peppers

An Inside Job: With ILB Brandon Spikes suspended for the rest of the season, Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher have larger roles to fulfill. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

People spend a lot of time talking about the possibility of signing DE Julius Peppers, but he’s going to command way too much money for my liking. Though I prefer the draft route, if the Pats wanted a rush LB, why not Green Bay’s Aaron Kampman? He was trying to transition from DE to OLB before he injured his knee. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with 40 sacks in the last four seasons. He would come significantly cheaper than Peppers and still have great production. But the question is, does Kampman want to continue trying to play linebacker or does he want to go back to DE? Or is he willing to accept a part-time role like Derrick Burgess as a pass rush specialist? 

Continue reading "Hours Away"

Despite the dire need for an OLB that can get to the passer, I’m not interested in Julius Peppers. I’m relatively sure he can make the transition from DE to OLB in a 3-4, but the price will be exorbitant. Nor do I have any interest in soon to be released Joey Porter. He’s too much of a personality to fit into the Patriots Way and is very likely to clash with the no-nonsense Bill Belichick. Belichick still has his head-butting with Adalius Thomas fresh in his mind and Bill wouldn’t want to put himself through that again. 

Continue reading "Window Shopping"

Julius Peppers/Jason Taylor: I'm not sold that either Peppers or Taylor will be on the Patriots in 2009. And clearly Bill Belichick wouldn't have traded Vrabel under the assumption he would get Peppers or Taylor to replace him. Does that mean one of the young OLBs on the Pats will take over for Vrabel? At this point I think so. You've got Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Tully Banta-Cain and Vince Redd all set up for a depth chart battle in training camp. We have no way of knowing what Belichick really feels about any of them, but more likely than not I'd say one of them will be starting on opening Monday Night. Put me down for Pierre Woods as the favorite.

Continue reading "Back in the Patriots-Blogging Saddle"

Can Bill Belichick really swindle the Carolina Panthers into trading 4-time Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers for just the 34th overall pick?

While I'm sure Peppers will stand by his word and push to play with a 3-4 defense, the Panthers know what they have and won't just trade him just to satisfy Peppers.

Continue reading "The Price of Peppers"

Continue reading "Swirling Trade Winds in Foxborough"