Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons’ problems
Matt Ryan probably wouldn't mind having Julius Peppers as a teammate. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
From an NFL fan’s perspective, there is one great thing about an uncapped year. Your favorite team can’t use the excuse, “We’d love to sign that free agent but we just can’t fit him under the salary cap.”
So to the members of Falcon nation, I present to you possibly the first name on the Falcons’ offseason shopping list: Julius Peppers.
Yes, it could happen — at least the part about Peppers’ availability. There are strong indications that the Carolina Panthers — who failed to come to terms with Peppers on a multi-year contract last season and were forced to sign him to the steep one-year franchise tag fee of $16.683 million — will allow Peppers to enter free agency.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter already is speculating that, “Carolina’s division rival Atlanta Falcons would be a logical landing spot, as Peppers would get to play the Panthers twice a season.”
Let’s examine all of the obvious reasons why the Falcons’ pursuit of Peppers makes sense.
♦ 1. While Peppers would be a significant investment — and there’s really no way to predict what he would fetch on the open market –he would be a huge boost to the Falcons’ anemic pass rush. The perennial Pro Bowl defensive end has 25 sacks over the last two years alone. This season, he recorded five forced fumbles, five passes defensed and two interceptions with 10 1/2 sacks.
♦ 2. The Falcons had to be concerned about John Abraham’s lack of production this season. He dropped from 16.5 sacks in 2008 to 5.5 in 2009. While some of that can be attributed to other problems on the line, including an injury to rookie Peria Jerry, there were several games when Abraham seemed invisible. The Falcons need to do something to create more pressure. For what it’s worth, Abraham has two years left on a six-year, $45 million contract.
♦ 3. The signing of an impact defensive lineman would allow the Falcons to focus on other areas early in the draft, including outside linebacker and cornerback.
♦ 4. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has made significant veteran acquisitions prior to each of his first two seasons: running back Michael Turner two years ago and tight end Tony Gonzalez this season. It might be time for a big move on defense this time.
♦ 5. Falcons owner Arthur Blank never has shied away from spending money on his football team. If Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith believe Peppers will take the Falcons to the next level, he’ll support the move financially.
Question: Are you feeling how the signing of Peppers could impact the Falcons as much as I am?
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281 comments Add your comment
Marcus
February 1st, 2010
5:33 am
would not excite me at all.
Greg
February 1st, 2010
5:56 am
Too old. Not worth the bread. Moreover, we handled him pretty easily last year. I just don’t see it.
Old Gator
February 1st, 2010
6:28 am
If the Falcon could get him without breaking the bank, I think he would be more help in the next 2 years than any player we could get at 19 or 20 in the draft.
Manweez
February 1st, 2010
6:32 am
Julius Peppers( i’m a fan!) at this stage of his career is who you sign when your team is a player or two from SERIOUSLY contending for a superbowl championship. Does anyone believe that they are that team?
geno
February 1st, 2010
6:41 am
julus peppers……..please man….learn something about football man…..DEFENSE WILL NOT WIN YOU A CHAMPIONSHIP….ITs the OFFENSE stupid……the houston texans tried to build a defense to defeat the colts and they couldnt do it…..the vaulted NY jets defense couldnt do it…..offensive records are falling every year and you want a DE…..I dunno….watch TV and learn something man.
Unca' Bob
February 1st, 2010
6:56 am
Jeff Schultz,
On the surface it would seem to be a very good idea. Looking below the surface, not so much. Peppers played 806 snaps and had 10 sacks, 10 QB hits and 33 QB pressures. His base salary for ‘09 was $16,6883,000.00 dollars. Abe played 703 snaps and had 6 sacks, 12 QB hits and 39 QB pressures. his base salary for ‘09 was $5,000,000.00. I don’t see an $11,683,000.00 difference. Do you?
mike
February 1st, 2010
7:02 am
Im like Geno, i think the days of simply building a devastating defense are gone. Remember the bears in miami against the colts in the superbowl? They tried to emulate the Ravens, build an awesome defense and ballcontrol offfense. Didn’t turn out so great. The saints and Colts (this year formula) is the correct way. Put aggressive schemes and players in and have a devastating offense. Get turnovers, focus less on points and yards given up and be able to bombard the other team with points. The rule changes in the nfl have nullified a “Ravens” or “46 Bears defense.” There are too many limitations on defensive players, and the NFL has placed a premimum on offensive explosiveness with their changes.
Look we have a great young QB, we have a rb, stud te and stud wr. Get an offensive playmaker sign some veteran defensive players and open up Ryan in his third year.
Burkules
February 1st, 2010
7:15 am
I don’t like the idea. Peppers strikes me as a D. Hall of the defensive line – relies too heavily on what he perceives as innate talent, overestimates his worth, and directs blame at everyone but himself when the chips are down. The acquisition of Peppers would run against two of the team’s most recent initiatives – (1) bringing in/retaining leaders and (2) getting younger and more urgent. Thanks but no thanks.
American Dream
February 1st, 2010
7:18 am
58th!!!! Wooooo Now let’s all get funky like a monkey! Peppers is a punk. He is nothing compared to so of the UGA linemen coming out in the draft. Time for the Falcons to draft so dawgs. Sick em boys. 58th!!!!!!
willie
February 1st, 2010
7:18 am
Pass rush is the key to everything. The Giants just won a Super Bowl a couple of years ago and 90% of it was because of their pass rush. You have to have it unless you are very solid at LB and secondary (we clearly aren’t). I say take the shot if you can. His numbers last year show he is not slowing down. However, I thought I heard he wanted to play in a 3-4 defense, so we might not be his first choice. I know the Pats wanted him last year and they do run a 3-4, so I could see something happening there.
The Nature Boy
February 1st, 2010
7:20 am
59 and counting. Wow this is a great blog. All my friends down at the senior center love reading Bradley’s articles and then lining the cages of their bird cages with the paper.
robertussen
February 1st, 2010
7:25 am
american dream im a dawgs fan and what you said is just stupid. im not calling you stupid so dont get me wrong. thats just being a fan boy. the dawgs d sucked this year and dont just blame it on the staff.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
February 1st, 2010
7:28 am
This is stupid, (1) Peppers has the franchise tag (2) And he has been open about his desire to play OLB in a 3-4 scheme. Nice try, now back to reality.
robertussen
February 1st, 2010
7:29 am
i dont see atl going after peppers because of age and the rebuilding process. they will draft a de and groom him to become a threat. i would not be opposed to the signing of peppers. the man is a beast and one of the best at his position. it would be a whole lot of fun watching him torment carolina twice a year (even better because i live in sc and all my friends are panthers fans) but it aint happening. i trust the front office and the direction they are taking the franchise.
Wes
February 1st, 2010
7:30 am
Jeff, I thought Peppers’ complaint about the Panthers was that he wasn’t playing in a 3-4 defense? Why would we be different?
DaWg
February 1st, 2010
7:37 am
Do not sign Peppers. We need young talent, not aged talent.
rainman
February 1st, 2010
7:39 am
On the one hand, I hope Blank is ready to spend the bucks needed to land a couple of key free agents.
On the other hand, I think Peppers will cost too much given his age and inconsistency.
The Real FALCON
February 1st, 2010
7:41 am
He has said he will only play in a 3-4 system
gadawgs
February 1st, 2010
7:42 am
30 is not old for a defensive end. 30 is old for a running back that has been in the leaque for 7 years but not for a defensive end. Peppers is a game changer and one of the best d ends around. I think it would be not only a smart move but a brilliant one.
Brett F.
February 1st, 2010
7:45 am
I can’t make up my mind on this one.
GeorgiaDawg
February 1st, 2010
7:46 am
do it, do it now…
boilerup
February 1st, 2010
7:57 am
Sign him.. The guys a freaking monster and has been a nightmare for us..Get that db we need in the draft and build the ol and add depth to rb and wr.. and we could be where the Saints are next year..
DGator
February 1st, 2010
7:57 am
Pass, I think the potential Cons out weigh the potential Pros.
Rod
February 1st, 2010
7:58 am
@Bank Walker, Texas Ranger – Please get up to speed before you make illogical comments. (1) Peppers DOES NOT have the franchise tag. He had it last year and all the experts have stated that the Panthers are NOT going to do that again. (2) There is NO team that is going to pay that kind of money to play him at outside linebacker. He’ll be playing the line next year.
1eyedJack
February 1st, 2010
7:58 am
If you sign him to a big contract this year with no cap and then in 2011 there is a hard cap in place do the Falcons then have to have a “fire sale” ala the Braves and blow up the roster to get under said cap?
Demitroff comes from the Pats philosophy and I don’t remember them going out on a limb to sign high priced DLs.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
February 1st, 2010
8:08 am
Rod not saying he is a Franchise Tag now but he did in 09 and Carolina can put it on him at any time, it is still an option. And secondly, you think somebody like Jerry Jones, who has a team in the 3-4 would not pay Peppers as much as he wants in an uncapped scenario. Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 and I think anybody that runs that scheme has a leg up. Illogical, tttthhhssssssswwwwwpppp.
Chamwa
February 1st, 2010
8:09 am
ABSOLUTELY!! He may take plays off…..but you can be sure he would have his BEST games vs. Carolina (Division opponent) as well as get over 10 sacks next year. GET HIM!!
oldfart
February 1st, 2010
8:14 am
Sign him to the big money but only on the condition that the linebacker behind him gets to use a cattle prod on him when he dogs it. I have no patience with high paid athletes who don’t seem to give their all every play so I would probably like to see this kind of money used on younger, more motivated players. I don’t think this was the case with Abraham this past season with the aforementioned double teams but both lines could stand some depth. I’ve never heard a coach gripe about having too many linemen. Skill positions count but the QB is usually only as good as his blocking. Same thing on the other side. Without a pass rush any pro QB can burn a secondary, given time someone will be open. Grimes, et al are not as bad as depicted in these blogs the Falcons have to address the pass rush situation but again, I don’t think this guy merits this kind of money unless someone is convinced he will always give a Pete Rose effort on every play.
Glacial Speed
February 1st, 2010
8:22 am
Big name = Big price
Other DEs can come cheaper and don’t come with the effort question.
We have to get rid of Jamaal Anderson first.
suwaneedawg
February 1st, 2010
8:23 am
Would be a great pick up. Like any F/A signing he brings risks but, they are out weighed by the positives in signing Peppers. It would make offense’s have to decide who to double team on our line. Sack totals would definetly go up. big time with this player.
Blue Fender
February 1st, 2010
8:28 am
Let’s not become the Redskins or Raiders and start signing every over-the-hill player, hoping for some “spark” to ignite the team. Signing overpriced vets is the main element in the formula of losing.
Jeff Schultz
February 1st, 2010
8:33 am
For those questioning Peppers’ age, 30 is not dead. Nor am I suggesting he’s a five-year staple. He has at least 3 strong years left in him, pending health.
As for his motivation level, I know it has been questioned at times but, 1) If it was a MAJOR issue, he wouldn’t have produced the numbers he has; 2) Changing teams often gives players a motivation boost, particularly when a team is in the same division or conference.
WW
February 1st, 2010
8:34 am
Dumb move. Peppers peaked about four or five years ago. Picking up older players is why the Falcons did poorly under Mora.
welikebaseball2
February 1st, 2010
8:35 am
For all the questions folks seem to have about Peppers’ age/motivation/consistency…what part of his stats from the last 2 years are you not getting? The numbers speak for themselves. As for him possibly “ruining the young players” with his attitude, I submit this: Who says every veteran on the team has to be a leader? Who says every veteran on the team has to be a social butterfly in the locker room? As long as he leads by producing on the field, what’s the biggie…especially if you’ve already got vocal leaders? I could possibly understand questions about his age in terms of how long of a deal we sign him to, but as for questions about his “attitude,” I wish some of you all were more interested in football players than choirboys. Choirboys make for good PR but football players win games!
Dan
February 1st, 2010
8:36 am
Our 2 biggest needs DE and CB. Hoping the get Daunta because he is younger and maybe draft Dunlap. I feel after that we will have a hole at LT, OLB and WR but cant do everything at once. I guess depending on what we do in Free Agency will effect if we go after Carlos Dunlap, Brian Bulaga, or Dez Bryant.
DDawgDavis
February 1st, 2010
8:37 am
Inconsistent play and age are a concern, but remember Carolina wasn’t a great team last season. Their QB situation is terrible and they are “rebuilding.” Plus, Peppers could have a vendetta against the Panthers whom we play two times a year. Nice pass rush of JA55 and Peppers. Nice rotation of Sibury and Biermann and the interior line of Babs and a healthy Jerry. Just saying it couldn’t hurt to try.
welikebaseball2
February 1st, 2010
8:37 am
Jeff Schultz: Well-said in your last post. You were posting that as I was typing my 8:35am post. I’m with you on this one. Well-said.
Jeff Schultz
February 1st, 2010
8:38 am
Wes — if playing in a 3-4 defense was all Peppers cared about, he’s going to be limiting his field in the NFL. Steelers, Cowboys, Patriots …. who else, somebody help me out.
Jeff Schultz
February 1st, 2010
8:39 am
Welikebaseballl2 — Thanks. The comment about possibly ruining young players is a hysterical. I’d like to know who he ruined in Carolina.
jkmckay
February 1st, 2010
8:43 am
Peppers only puts out effort 30-40% of the time. I hope the Falcons pass!
Tide Fan
February 1st, 2010
8:46 am
If there’s no cap, thus no cap hit for cutting a player, why not cut Abraham if Peppers is signed? Abe is slowing down at this point and I’m still afraid his groin issues could show up again. Plus, Peppers is bigger than Abe and stands up against the run better. I think he may just give us the impact Abe once gave us. Of course, they could also trade back out of the first round and pick up Terrence Cody in the second, Javier Arenas and/or Kareem Jackson in the third…but I digress.
Mike is Back
February 1st, 2010
8:48 am
Shultz, I agree…which is not often. lol
BUT yeah Peppers would be the perfect compliment to Abe…brings back memories of the old grits blitz with Claude Humphrey and John Zook. It would interesting to know what TD thoughts were on the issue…but he never tips his hand …so I’m counting on you to make this happen, ”RIGHT!!”
Anyway good blog…GO FALCON!!!
willdave
February 1st, 2010
8:49 am
Be careful, TD. Peppers has reached an advanced age for a pro athlete. Although he might have performed well in 2009, he could easily have an Abraham-type dropoff in 2010.
Any younger, impressive DEs available through FA or the draft? If so, that would definitely be the way to go.
Let's Go
February 1st, 2010
8:49 am
Isn’t this John Abraham all over again. Peppers is good but he’s also on the down side of this career so you get one good year and then a 2 or 3 injury filled half season out of him. And he won’t be cheap. The Falcons are not one player away from being great on defense, they need more physical CB’s, faster LB’s and quicker DE’s. Also, we are just now coming out of Salary Cap Purgatory so don’t screw up the salary cap again. If the Falcons are smart they will wait and see what the labor talks are bringing before jumping into over paying free agents.
JB
February 1st, 2010
8:52 am
Bad investment……….Atlanta would be his retirement farewell tour. spend less on a up and coming 26-27 year old with more upside. Too much downside for Peppers
Bob
February 1st, 2010
8:52 am
I agree about getting Daunta. Dream draft then would be LT Brian Bulaga in the first round, ( try to get back up in the second round and get OLB Sean Weatherspoon) and then in the 3rd round get DE Greg Hardy. All of our needs would be basically met.
Patrick
February 1st, 2010
8:56 am
I disagree. Peppers is a physical phenomenon, no doubt, but has a recent history of being a malcontent, taking games off and holding his team hostage. Pepper’s antics were a big factor in Carolina’s bad season, they were completely handcuffed with Pepper’s salary. And just because 2010 will be uncapped, doesn’t mean it will be uncapped forever. Money will be better spent elsewhere on players who want to play, not prima donnas.
athdog
February 1st, 2010
9:01 am
Nope. Too old, getting injury prone.
Sly Ty
February 1st, 2010
9:02 am
Sign him, this is a cap free season. He can be a 1 year hired gun, kinda like David Cone, the old great hired gun pitcher from baseball. I am sure the mad scientist Dimitroff will come up with something.
Sonny Clusters
February 1st, 2010
9:04 am
If the Falcons get Peppers we was wondering if he will flap his arms and taunt the Panthers when they come to town? If so, we say let him go somewhere else. We was not impressed with Brooking when he did that to the Falcons.