Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons’ problems

Brandon from Warner Robins

January 31st, 2010
10:26 pm

Go for it.

omari

January 31st, 2010
10:26 pm

first

omari

January 31st, 2010
10:30 pm

i agree, go for it

Ree Roe

January 31st, 2010
10:36 pm

Interesting article Jeff, but I have a few questions before I would be in favor of this move.

1. How motivated would Peppers be? Panthers fans & members of the Panthers organization complained for years about ‘Peps’ lack of motivation on the field. Can we afford to spend 30 million on a player where we have to question if he’s bringing it every snap?

2. His attitude. On a defense as young as ours & without a vocal leader, a player like Pep, who has a reputation as being aloof & moody, could damage the strides Van Gorder & Smitty have made in player development.

I’m not totally against the move, but I think we might need to do some more homework on Pep before we decide to break the bank on him

-REEcently Roe!!!

Sporkdevil

January 31st, 2010
10:36 pm

He’s 30 and inconsistent. I would be pissed if we pay him way too much money. I guess if the coaching staff thinks they can get the effort he has lacked in Carolina, then it would be worth it.

Let’s just remember that the “aging John Abraham” is like a year and a half older than Peppers. There is a reason even Rich McKay was smart enough to let Kerney walk: he is too dang old to be worth a big and long term contract.

Tee

January 31st, 2010
10:36 pm

Never will happen.. 4th

atlantahawkfalcon

January 31st, 2010
10:37 pm

What makes you guys think the Falcons will sign Peppers?

BugKiller

January 31st, 2010
10:37 pm

Would Peppers accept a 3 or 4 year contract?

Maybe a 2 year contract?

Because at his level of inconsistent play the last few years, that’s what he’s worth in the amount of time.

Can’t make a long-term investment on a player like Peppers who’s 30 and could be a locker room disruption.

wheelbarrow of love

January 31st, 2010
10:40 pm

I’d do it.

Bill

January 31st, 2010
10:44 pm

He wants way to much money.i for one hope the falcons stay away from him. what happen to the panthers they paid him most of thier cap money and could not upgrade team.

Jason

January 31st, 2010
10:45 pm

DO.

IT.

NOW.

Kenny Powers

January 31st, 2010
10:46 pm

I agree with Sporkdevil. Peppers tends to disappear from time to time and some team will offer him a boatful of money. I think the falcons would be better off looking elsewhere.

woodie

January 31st, 2010
10:49 pm

He’s over the hill.

Bob in SF

January 31st, 2010
10:53 pm

Pepper’s only played hard recently in contract years, in fact he dogged it completely in 2007. No thanks. He will cost way more than he’s worth. Also I don’t think it’s Dmitroff’s style to sign a guy entering his career decline years while said player is looking for a ha-yoooge contract.

Bill

January 31st, 2010
10:56 pm

Abraham is not worth what the falcons are paying him and neather is Jamal anderson.Abe is not going anywhere hes got 2 years left on his contract.

Billy

January 31st, 2010
10:58 pm

As long as the Falcons don’t overpay for Peppers, I say go for it!

Singletary

January 31st, 2010
11:00 pm

Can you say OLD? I just did. He is the antithesis of everything TD has done so far. (Tony Gonzalez could be 45, and I’d still say he’s not old. He’s just got more class than BF4.) Trust the TD man. I do.

StephenW

January 31st, 2010
11:00 pm

Signing Peppers seems out of character for Dimitroff. His two major free agent signings were smart pickups where he didn’t have to overpay for probowl caliber talent. Turner was largely unknown as a backup to LT, and Gonzalez was a no brainer with a 2nd round pick. Unless TD can find a part-time starter with huge upside, I think (and would prefer) he goes for someone like Michigan’s Graham in the first round.

MarkTwain

January 31st, 2010
11:00 pm

From the limited time we saw Sidbury this year he looked extremely raw, but flashed serious potential. I’d hate to bury him. As for Abraham I agree with Sporkdevil. Peppers is only two years younger and would have done no better than Abraham this year. Losing Grady Jackson and having Peria Jerry go down exposed the depth issue at DT. No DT double teams= Abraham double teams= torched secondary. Can we actually focus on the cause of the problem for once? With due respect to Tony Gonzalez, if Dimitroff buys the fancy red sportscar again I’ll start to lose faith in him.

gadawgs

January 31st, 2010
11:04 pm

Absolutely, without question we need him.

AtlantaHawkFalcon

January 31st, 2010
11:05 pm

Thomas Dimitroff isn’t the type of guy to sign a “big name” talent. Yes, he signed Michael Turner in 2008, and traded for Tony Gonzalez in 2009, but you can’t consider them superstars.
Michael Turner was a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson (not a superstar), and anyone who considers Tony Gonzalez a “superstar” at this point of his career is a complete idiot.

You see, Thomas Dimitroff is a guy that believes in collecting talent through the draft. Not a GM who loads his team up with expensive players and contracts. Dimitoff was the Director of College Scouting for the New England Patriots for 5 years. He has learned from some of the best front office executives in the league.

So, it wouldn’t be so smart for him to sign an aging defensive end that will likely be asking for big money.

Tosin

January 31st, 2010
11:06 pm

Do it. Peppers,Abraham,Babs,and Jerry on the same line is living HECK for offensive lines

DHD

January 31st, 2010
11:07 pm

I’m a Pepper. Do it, Mr Blank!!

Tosin

January 31st, 2010
11:09 pm

And plus with the DE problem solved, we can work on evaluating CBs (Perrish Cox) and OLBs (Eric Norwood).

Tosin

January 31st, 2010
11:10 pm

*for the draft

BosnianBaller

January 31st, 2010
11:11 pm

I agree perfect fit.

LetsGetRealAlready

January 31st, 2010
11:19 pm

When Peps motor is running full-tilt, he is one of the most dominating players on the field. His intensity is contagious and makes his team better. The down side is, his motor seems to be a 1970’s Jaguar. Runs when it runs…..which isn’t often enough. I even remember him getting taken to the woodshed by a good left tackle at Tech and not making a single play in the game. That should never happen even if your opposition is good. But it did and I remember the announcers dogging Peppers a bit for getting held out of the backfield and on any tackles. If he can be coached to play every down, I say take ‘em and pay ‘em. I just think that is a risky bet after all these years. His play on/play off mentality has to be totally ingrained in to him by now.

singndablues

January 31st, 2010
11:21 pm

There are better options out there. Aaron Kampman from Greenbay had a so-so season last year but that was after the defense made a switch to the 3-4. He just doesn’t fit in that defense. The previous three years in a 4-3 he had 9.5, 12 & 15.5 sacks. He’s 30 should come at a reasonable price and could provide solid play till one of the younger players are ready to step up full time.

Ray Edwards from Minnesota may be another option also.

Peppers will cost too much for too long and doesn’t always show up for games.

bigstack19

January 31st, 2010
11:29 pm

I don’t think at his age he is worth it unless he were the missing piece to a Super Bowl Championship which I believe he is not. Ray Edwards isn’t a big name like Peppers but can get after the QB and would be much cheaper. The money saved could be used on a corner or a wide receiver to go opposite White or to shore up the o-line.

Bill

January 31st, 2010
11:30 pm

Hell Yes..do it ASP!

Mr. G

January 31st, 2010
11:44 pm

Don’t bring that old bag of bones here!!!!

falcon

January 31st, 2010
11:49 pm

I think Peppers’ best years are behind him. We don’t need 2 Abes.

Paul in RDU

January 31st, 2010
11:54 pm

I watched Peppers have some great seasons for the Carolina Panthers. I also watched him basically take 2007 off. He came back strong in 2008 – a contract year. He wanted out of Carolina after the 2008 season, claiming he needed to play in a 3-4 and then pouted for the beginning of the 2009 before playing well from the middle of the season on. .
If the Falcons are going after him, which Peppers do they expect to show up?

Jermaine

January 31st, 2010
11:56 pm

If there is even the slightest of possibilities of this happening DO IT DO IT NOW!!!

F Troop

February 1st, 2010
12:27 am

The downs outweigh the ups. We can use Peppers, but he is NOT required. 30 years old? A bit too old. 16 mill? Ew, too high a price. The injury factor for DE’s increases at 30+ years. On the other hand, the up side of the deal is our pass rush problem – barring injury or hidden injuries – is immediately solved. Pep’s a stud, but I think there are other younger, hungrier, vets dancing around the NFL to fix the Falcons pass rush problems.

I say no.

headmofo

February 1st, 2010
12:29 am

Could be a great pick up as long as the contract is for 2-3 years. Peppers is not a young gun anymore. While he can be as dominant as any DE in the league he is getting “long at the tooth,” and is not always consistent in his performance. His services could be used as a stop gap and then we would have time to develop a good young DE and not draft one in the 1st round and expect him to get 10 sacks his first year only to label him a bust if he under achieves. With a free agent you know what your getting, with a draft pick you don’t.

Most new regime’s give themselves three years to build a winning organization. Well this upcoming season would be three years under Coach Smith and Thomas Dimitroff. I would say that we either get an experienced Defensive End or Corner in Free Agency if the plan is to win now. This would give us an opportunity to address other key positions in the upcoming 2010 draft. It is widely known that we are in the market for a Defensive End or Corner. If DE or Corner are addressed through Free Agency we can go after other positions of need in the draft. (Outside Line Backer, Wide Receiver, Offensive Lineman, Place Kicker, Defensive Lineman just in case Babs is suspended and Tight End).

I also, believe that it is in our best interest this year to move down in the draft. If we can move down in the 1st round we may be able to get another teams 2nd round pick to replace the pick we gave K.C. for Tony Gonzalez. Either way if you look at the season we were only two or three players away from winning four more games.

Stinky

February 1st, 2010
12:31 am

If not Peppers, how about Johnny Damon?

Stirg d'Nahsif

February 1st, 2010
12:42 am

I’m not against it but I, too, question his motivation (see Ree Roe, 10:35 comment). Peppers indicated last year that he wants to play in a 3-4 defense. I think that we would prefer and search for that fit. I’m certain, still, that he’d make an immediate impact and I’m equally convinced that he would raise the level of our defense. However, if we have the resources to acquire a name like Peppers, we can also acquire a name like Vince Wilfork (which would be a more logical signing). It would be more convenient to fill the position of DE than it would be to fill the position of DT. Jerry is returning but he’s returning from injury; furthermore, he’s still a rookie. Yet, on the ends, we have Biermann, Sidbury, Davis, Anderson and, perhaps, a first round draft pick (e.g., Graham, UofM). In order of priority, I say we start with Wilfork, then Peppers, whichever comes first.

Dawg

February 1st, 2010
12:45 am

Please NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…. i lived in Charlotte for 6 years. When he wants to play, he is devastating. Most of the time… Not so much. He will disappear for multiple games not just a portion of a game. Huge mistake to sign him. He’ll play 2 games a year – against the panthers

headmofo

February 1st, 2010
12:50 am

If we have an uncapped year. We could address our two largest areas of need in Free Agency. You know what your getting in these two guys (below).

DE Julius Peppers from the Carolina Panthers

CB Daunta Robinson from the Houston Texans

These moves put us in position to move down in the draft trade players (like Norwood should another team come knocking) and stockpile more picks for this years draft and for years to come. With this posture we can address all areas of need and not over spend on rookies that will need time to develop.

TRAVIS B

February 1st, 2010
1:49 am

I SAY YOU GO FAR IT THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE LOOK AT REGGIE WHITE WHEN HE WENT TO GREEN BAY HE WAS IN HIS THIRTY AND MADE THAT DEFENSE LOOK GOOD I SAY SIGN HIM AND LET SIDBURY LEARN FROM HIM AND ABE AND FOCUS ON CB AND GET SOME SPEED AT THE WE SPOT TO GO WITH RODDY WHITE

Jim of Hiram

February 1st, 2010
2:06 am

Don’t like it. He’s too old, and would want too much money! Not TD’s style, either. Like someone else on here said, we don’t need TWO Abes.

CarolinaPantherFan

February 1st, 2010
2:28 am

as a panther fan, i’d just be careful not making the same mistake as john fox and marty hurney did for us last year. the probability that one player is going to come in and be the ‘missing piece’ is not high and overpaying for a player at the expense of adding quality depth is a recipe for disaster ( see carolina panthers – 2009 offseason moves ) in a game as injury-wrought as the nfl. finding quality contributors like tony gonzalez at a decent price is a much better strategy, imo.

Edo River

February 1st, 2010
2:56 am

wouldn’t the Panthers do every thing possible to keep Peppers from coming to a division rival? Surely their fan base would force them to do ALMOST anything to keep him away from here. I think wishing for Peppers is akin to wishing for the tooth fairy.

Dr. Warren

February 1st, 2010
3:07 am

The guy disappeared a couple of years ago for the Panthers. Remember? So Abraham had an off-year himself–let’s see what he does next year.

Frank Wren

February 1st, 2010
3:51 am

Sign em!

Jenner

February 1st, 2010
4:42 am

NO!
Peppers is not worth that much money.

And Atlanta is a Diva-free zone!

falcon71

February 1st, 2010
4:49 am

no way TD wastes money on this part time player

Felix the Cat

February 1st, 2010
5:24 am

You can use the increase in my season ticket prices to offset any difference…Thanks in advance for your concern of the sluggish economy…..geeesh

Clayton

February 1st, 2010
5:30 am

That would be nice except that he stated he wanted to play OLB in a 3-4 def. plus we cant afford to sign anyone else if a salary cap is agreed to a year or two down the road.

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.

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.

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.

Falcon 1971

February 1st, 2010
9:09 am

Mike’s right, we like Pepper too, bring him here.

1eyedJack

February 1st, 2010
9:12 am

Flapping the arms and doing the “Dirty Bird” dance is for short fellas…big fellas just look like gooney birds when they do it.

Please

February 1st, 2010
9:17 am

GO GET HIM!!

Change to Old Uniforms

February 1st, 2010
9:19 am

Move Babs to DE. He IS our best pass rusher, not slow – only 285 lbs. Draft Mount Cody (if available). Problems solved. PS- Get rid of the Arena League uniforms. The throwbacks are the best.

kdbanks

February 1st, 2010
9:19 am

No! That would be an incredibly short-sighted signing. That would be something Dan Snyder would do. Not the Falcons.

collegeballfan

February 1st, 2010
9:20 am

He has big numbers but he also has a habit of vanishing during a game.
I do not think he is the solution.

JeanE

February 1st, 2010
9:28 am

How can I phrase this: Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes,……sign him ASAP. Then, draft a corner and do a better job than you did with Chris Houston!!!

bugman

February 1st, 2010
9:29 am

ONLY if he’s affordable.

GeoffDawg

February 1st, 2010
9:32 am

Shoot, in an uncapped year, let’s ask Blank to just back up the Brinks truck. This is the time to take advantage of an owner with more money than Steinbrenner.

comedy

February 1st, 2010
9:34 am

In Dimitroff I Trust !

Jeff

February 1st, 2010
9:40 am

I wish the Falcons ownership and front office ran the Braves too.

Alan

February 1st, 2010
9:47 am

Peppers would only be an expensive stop gap, we need to stay with the youth movement and build a franchise that will be with us for sometime, we are on the way there with T.D. and Smitty at the helm so lets just keep moving forward instead of taking a break. GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ATLFan

February 1st, 2010
9:48 am

If Dimitroff has an extra $16M to spend on payroll this year, he’ll probably get two really good players, instead of one …

Jamar

February 1st, 2010
9:48 am

Absolutely not. He goes everything against what Dimitroff and Smith have stood for. He lacks character, at least at times. He’s not always motivated. On top of that, all he does is play DE. You don’t pay 16/mil for a DE. Get some secondary help, another backer, and then address DL in the draft.

JoLee

February 1st, 2010
9:51 am

This would be the worst mistake in sports since the Brave signed Kenny Lofton. A) It would take big bucks to sign him. B) Like Lofton, he would interject a bad attitude in the locker room. C) Like Randy Moss, he does not play 100%. D) There is no TEAM in Peppers.

Get hungry kids that will hustle and pay the price not a conceited selfish veteran with an attitude.

Simply Hampton

February 1st, 2010
9:54 am

Well Said Bob, Well said my friend!

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.

Though I would rather the DE from Troy. Greg Hardy has injury issues.

Andre

February 1st, 2010
9:57 am

I say go for it . He can be an every down guy unlike some people I know (John Abraham).

Ricky

February 1st, 2010
9:58 am

I have a difficult time getting all excited about this possibility………..gonna want a lot of money and the production may not be there. Did somebody already say we don’t need 2 Abrahams………..

RJ

February 1st, 2010
10:16 am

I would love to get Peppers but he said he wants to play in a 3-4 defense. I hope thats not a deal-breaker for him.

Kman

February 1st, 2010
10:17 am

Why take on a head case?

boilerup

February 1st, 2010
10:23 am

People…. Anything is better than what we have!!! Balance…. Veteran leadership and youth.. Doesn’t mean they still can’t draft a DE.. I look at it as a Tony G.. kinda move.. leadership… It allows others to make the move to the backfield if he doesn’t.. You can’t be saying that what we have on the d-line is better.. Another guy to think about is Ray Edwards.. Fast and just plane violent.. plus he’s another Boiler DE..

chosen1

February 1st, 2010
10:24 am

I LIKE IT!!!!!… GET PEPPERS HERE….. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFENSE FILLS THE STANDS

HGN

February 1st, 2010
10:47 am

I think we should sign Julius Peppers, if “The Price $$ Is Right” ….. I believe that playing on a defensive line with Abraham will motivate both DE’s to perform at their best. Peppers has had up and down years recently because he was unhappy with his contract situation. A 3–4 year deal is all I think he should get. That would preclude us from having to address the situation early in the draft. We could then concentrate on the defensive backfield.

Getting Daunta Robinson would be excellent if we could pull it off. Which I dont think we could. The TExans are making progress and would not let him go without a good counter offer.

In conclusion, go and get either Peppers or Robinson in FA…And then target the area you did not sign in free agency in the 1st Round.

Jon l

February 1st, 2010
10:49 am

Sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal with most of it up front if we don’t have a cap this year, then when they do set a cap again his base salary does not really hurt you 2 or 3 years from now. Think how good the d-line would be with peppers, Abraham, babs, and Jerry if he comes back healthy. Good d-line could put us over the top but I’m sure t.d knows that.

Reid Adair

February 1st, 2010
10:50 am

Wow, I’m not sure what happened to the comments that were first posted on this last night, but I’ll repeat what I said. The Falcons have been down the “Should we sign Julius Peppers or not” road before.

I’m still one of those who says no.

PMC

February 1st, 2010
10:53 am

He’s going to be Franchised. This is moot.

Number #1 Falcons Fan

February 1st, 2010
11:08 am

I will drive from North Carolina to pick him up if that’s what it will take. Abraham one side and Peppers on the other, no-brainer Falcons. Lets do it!!!!!

midnite

February 1st, 2010
11:15 am

Good idea Schultz. While we’re at let’s get Jalapeno, Habanero, and Poblano too!

SOUTH GA DAWG FAN

February 1st, 2010
11:19 am

Peppers will instantly make the corners and the opposite D end better go get him TD !! sign him to a three year deal cut the bust pass rusher you all know who he is I think a bust making large money will be worse on the locker room than a proven producer like peppers sign him now

chaseolla

February 1st, 2010
11:29 am

NO…don’t want a player that doesn’t play full motor every play.Abe play’s every play HARD and double teamed every play. Get a DT mammoth and every one improves. Love Jerry’s work ethic BUT he has missed parts of every season going back to high school; should have picked Von Hutchins

Brian Asselstine

February 1st, 2010
11:33 am

I say yes, but only if he shaves his eyebrows. No if he won’t.

IceFan

February 1st, 2010
11:36 am

No doubt Peppers is a beast, but I’d rather spend money that big on a player we would legitimately get production from for the length of his contract.

I think we should spend the FA $ on either a stud O-Tackle or a stud CB and continue to draft DL.

Coop

February 1st, 2010
11:49 am

Peppers = EPIC Stupidity. Fix the DT and the DEs will shine. Now, going after Vince Wilfork is worthy of discussion.

truth

February 1st, 2010
11:50 am

Pass’n on Peppers.

MR COB

February 1st, 2010
11:56 am

I said it last year before the franchise tag and will say it emphatically this year: PAY PEPPERS!!!! It will be the best investment we make this year. Owens should start and corner, Jerry will be back! This is big. Rotate “Beer-man” and Sidbury to develop them at DE too, Trade Norwood, Release J. Anderson, Keep Thomas and LETS MAKE A RUN!

I MUS WRITE

February 1st, 2010
11:56 am

Peppers is a beast when he wants to be, I would have to say no to signing him tho. We dont need a high priced 30yo DE who takes Games off. I would rather Td go after- Ray Edwards,Aaron Kampman or Kyle VanDenbosh who all fit our schheme.

If we take care or the pass ruch in FA then we are free to get our yung thumper at OLB -Witherspoon Rd1…. or trade our 1st for a late 1st and a 2nd

1st-Witherspoon
2nd-Cox/Wilson
3rd-DT from CAL (samoan guy)
4th-Jacoby Ford Wr
5th-Ol
6th-RB
7th-K

Comensory Picks 3rd,5th,7th……. TD finds a hidden gem

ELVISINTHEHOUSE.

February 1st, 2010
11:57 am

The falcon fans don’t have a clue,at least most of them don’t.Let a fan put together a team and the sorry birds would be three hundred thou over the cap.It takes the average DE coming out of college 2 to 3 years to really develope.Bring in peppers for 2 maybe 3 years and put him opposite abe then he(abe)won’t get double teamed so much.

I MUS WRITE

February 1st, 2010
11:58 am

Agreed Coop i would love to get V Wilfork – he could be that plug in the middle of our line……

ELVISINTHEHOUSE.

February 1st, 2010
12:00 pm

I mus write,the birds don’t have a #2 pick because of gonzalez(TE).

Tommy

February 1st, 2010
12:01 pm

The Falcons already have one aging pass-rush specialist with a large contract. Do they need two?

There are younger, less expensive options out there. If the defensive back situation can get calmed down, the defense will generate more sacks off of good coverage. One of the reasons the birds had so few sacks last year is because they never got a second crack at the QB–someone got open within a few seconds, and if the QB stepped up and avoided the first rush, the ball was gone.

I agree with the earlier posts–dunta robinson would be a better use of the $$. Get a good run-stuffing DE to pair with Biermann and let Sidbury develop.

NOLA

February 1st, 2010
12:02 pm

He ain’t coming to play for the ‘cons. ‘cons are still celebrating their back to back winning seasons. julius wants to play for a real contender like the saints.

Yep Who dat, who dat who dat say gonna beat em saints? not the cons,

cause the cons once again ain’t playing this weekend.

I MUS WRITE

February 1st, 2010
12:04 pm

Elvis I know-thats why i said trade our first for a late first and early second like we did in 08 reaching to get S baker

ATLSportsFan

February 1st, 2010
12:05 pm

Yes the falcons need peppers he would make our defense much better.

Larry

February 1st, 2010
12:08 pm

Too much money for an older player. We already blow all the franchise cash on Noodle Arm. Draft heavy on defense and get the backfield healthy.

I MUS WRITE

February 1st, 2010
12:08 pm

NOLA -Shut your pie hole, whoopy dam doo lets see how you feel next sunday after general Peyton shredds that patchwork defense. Lets face it if Farve and Peterson didnt have chicken grease on their hands the Aints wouldnt even be playing HELLO…………. Who was it that said we falcon fans should cheeR for the Aints? SHYYYYYYYYYYT I wish i would- Neva Eva gonna happen – iF nY HAD WON THE GAME i WOULD BE CHEERING FOR THEM AS WELL…..o YEAH I HATE ME SUM aINTS ….wHILE IM AT IT STAY OFF OUR BOARDS BEFORE i COME SEE U lol

Raul Rodriguez

February 1st, 2010
12:19 pm

SIGN HIM! I’M DEF FOR IT!!!!!!!!

georgiavol

February 1st, 2010
12:20 pm

Just great. Here we freakin’ go again, signing big money castoffs past their prime. JS, do you actually believe that this is a good idea, or did you just mail in today’s column?

The last Boy Scout

February 1st, 2010
12:20 pm

I don’t care what apendage Pepper flaps. If the Dirty Birds can land this top pick free agent we are on the road to the NFC South Crown and a real chance at a Super Bowl birth

F-105 Thunderchief

February 1st, 2010
12:24 pm

Just slightly off topic. But the original Perry Mason series was far more cougarlicious than Real Housewives of Orange County.

Matt

February 1st, 2010
12:27 pm

Not sure if it has been posted but Peppers is coming off two seasons where they combine to give him the most sacks over a two year stretch in his career. If nothing else get him so that he won’t be putting as much pressure on Matt Ryan. Blank has the money.

Too tough 44

February 1st, 2010
12:28 pm

wouldnt give him a long term deal…he is too old and banged up….just like Abraham…signed to a too long contract…ya see his lack of entusiasm and production last season….bring in some aggressive hungry younger talent….look. I am all for the older fellas…but, I saw JAb. loafing alot this season…sadly….

Charles Chan

February 1st, 2010
12:29 pm

You can’t know if someone is past his prime until he gets there. Peppers displayed no evidence of same this season.

cdog

February 1st, 2010
12:29 pm

i agree 200%. the falcons don’t need to stupid around and not sign peppers. they need to do it right away. what ever it takes, they should sign peppers. then they can go after that cornerback in the draft or free agency.peppers would assure us a superbowl trip just like deion sanders did for san francisco

just wait

February 1st, 2010
12:34 pm

go for it sign him up

Sam

February 1st, 2010
12:37 pm

I think a lot of folks are missing the point (except for GeoffDawg). Sign him! It’s a no cap year so why not take a chance?

guy

February 1st, 2010
12:40 pm

isn’t peppers like um always hurt and sitting out?

cutter

February 1st, 2010
12:44 pm

Continue to build via the draft. Peppers is gonna want something close to Haynesworth money. It will be a bidding war and this organization does not do bidding wars for 30 year old free agents. Trade back pick up a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th draft Weatherspoon and build depth at key positons. Pick up a speed receiver in the middle rounds, need to pick up future center, right tackle and TE. If Peppers was the only thing we were missing maybe but we are still in the process people, still in the process of building a football team. If we draft Peppers now 2 years from now we will be right back where we started. Needing a pass rush.

fanatical

February 1st, 2010
12:45 pm

I like the move for Peppers.Heard the Falcons a good contender because he wants to stay close to family.Who live in the Carolinas.But I think that Richard Seymore(Oak) makes more sense.He is TDimitrofs previous player and pick from the Patriots.
Vince Wilfork the next move.Platooning the middle with Jerry, Babs and TJohnson.Better pass rush leads to better secondary coverage.You cant double cover anyone in this line up.Also gives room for blitzing we saw very little of this past season.
THill and COwens should be able to handle the starting CB position.

Phil C

February 1st, 2010
12:50 pm

The Falcons will win the NFC South next year if they land Peppers- book it. And NO! I’m not pulling for the Saints on Sunday. Ridiculous. I pull for no one else in the NFC South. GO FALCONS!

old Tech fan in NC

February 1st, 2010
12:52 pm

sounds like many bird fans know that Pepp is a part time employee…and you never know when the real pass rusher will be in uniform. I enjoyed watching sacking birds but over $1mil per game seems foolish.

cutter

February 1st, 2010
12:52 pm

Sam- I think you are missing the point just because the year May be uncapped does not mean Mr. Blank wants to take chances with his money. What about the next year after that will it be uncapped also?? I doubt it very seriously. So you sign the guy to a ridiculus contract this year and all of a sudden next year you are over the cap and can’t pay somebody.

Ed

February 1st, 2010
12:55 pm

What this franchise DOESNT need, is someone who takes plays off, holds a franchise “hostage” by not agreeing to a mult-year deal, and then wants to leave.

I say build through the draft.

John

February 1st, 2010
1:02 pm

Falcons need Dexter McCluster, RB, Ole Miss. Same body and running style of NFL leading rusher Chris Johnson…he also has great hands to catch passes, and a threat to take it the distance each time he touches the ball.

NOLA- shut your trap

February 1st, 2010
1:06 pm

Hey NOLA,

Have you sent that thank you card to the refs for your gimme win against the Vikings? Ya’ll really earned that one! All those turnovers and you still would have lost had the refs not gift wrapped it for you. Nice. Keep running your mouth. Typical New Orleans trailor trash.

Sarah Palin's Rack

February 1st, 2010
1:16 pm

How come the Falcons don’t go after white football players anymore?

dirtyo11

February 1st, 2010
1:21 pm

I like it, but at the same time there are other DE out there that we might be able to pick up for less money and they can be just as productive. Yhe Giants have too many DE, maybe they will trade on to us. We need a shut down vetern DB. Now which one do you go after Peppers or a top notch DB

PanthersFAN

February 1st, 2010
1:24 pm

You people are crazy to think the Panthers will Let Peppers walk for nothing. He’ll be tagged again this year for the $20 million or so. A trade will probably be in the works but Carolina will not let Peppers walk for nothing. Don’t believe everything you hear on H.Y.P.E. I mean E.S.P.N.

PanthersFAN

February 1st, 2010
1:25 pm

You people are crazy to think the Panthers will Let Peppers walk for nothing. He’ll be tagged again this year for the $20 millon or so. A trade will probably be in the works but Carolina will not let Peppers walk for nothing. Don’t believe everything you hear on H.Y.P.E. I mean E.S.P.N.

jroc5034

February 1st, 2010
1:25 pm

I love the idea but, probably wont happen because it just makes too much sense… We’ll see.

Panther Fan

February 1st, 2010
1:25 pm

Pep is a devastating player who has shown what he can do. For any team to aquire his skills would be a plus, but it’s time for him to leave Carolina and go to another team. As for age, he’s far from being over the hill. He can turn on the burners as good as anyone in the NFL and will be that agile for years to come. Hate to see him leave the Panthers, but his head is elsewhere!

HoJo

February 1st, 2010
1:27 pm

Jeffy, we can always count on you for the obvious. Peppers? No thank you. What you forgot to state is that several teams will not go to the cap next year because of the economy. Uncapped can also mean teams WON’T be spending. Atlanta WILL be one of those teams, count on it. Peppers wants more than the Falcons are going to be willing to give. End of story. Gonzalez was brought in for 2nd rounder and was our #1 receiver, so the comparisons aren’t even close, besides Blank is going to need to save his money to fill the Brinks truck that Ryan will demand in a couple of years.

You all are idiots

February 1st, 2010
1:30 pm

None of you have any idea of what the Falcons will do or should do.

The idea this team must spend a lot of money on either an aging DB is absurd….Especially the remark made by dirtyo11. A veteran shutdown CB? Who? From where?
A solid pass rush improves the pass defense more than one shut down CB.

Some of you need to put down the Madden video game and watch some real football.

Crabkilla

February 1st, 2010
1:33 pm

He’s a charlotte kitten and I hate him.

Ryan's All You Can Eat

February 1st, 2010
1:35 pm

Did you ever notice how many fat hillbillies at at Ryan’s?

Paul in RDU

February 1st, 2010
1:42 pm

I think that Peppers needs to use his last year of college eligibility to play for Ol Roy next year. Wow – did they stink up the Dean Dome against UVA yesterday.

Jay

February 1st, 2010
1:48 pm

I say sign him..!! We all know Jamal Anderson isnt working out. Other teams would have to plan for the potential damage that Peppers and/or Abraham can do.

The impact it will have on the secondary alone is worth the investment. Create a pass rush take the pressure off the rookie corners.

cdog

February 1st, 2010
1:49 pm

the falcons defense has no where to go but up. half of julius peppers is better than any lineman the falcons already HAVE. sign him ASAP.DON’T DO LIKE THE BRAVES, SLOP AROUND AND LET OTHER JUMP AHEAD OF THEM, BRING PEPPERS ABOARD NOW. THERE ARE NO NEGATIVES IN PEPPER’S SIGNING. GET HIM NOW.

#1 Falcon Fan

February 1st, 2010
1:49 pm

this makes a lot of sense. sign him TODAY. The Falcons could sign him and still pick a defensive player in the 1st round. The panthers did not want to offer Peppers a contract extension, so they franchised him last year. Now this year they might let him walk, I think he would love to come here and prove the Panthers wrong by not re-signing him. He would get to play them twice a year, I mean come on he has had 25 sacks over the last 2 years. Sign him now and cut ties with the 1st round BUST anderson. Again your pass defense is only as good as your pass rush…come on Falcons make it happen or your pass defense will be ranked 28th in the league again in 2010!

chris

February 1st, 2010
1:53 pm

It won’t happen…….Falcons have been very careful not to bring problems into the locker room. To much money for a potential problem when we don’t play his kind of defensive scheme.

TruthSerum

February 1st, 2010
2:01 pm

willie: you are absolutely 100% right about the pass rush. The pass rush is everything and a couple of years ago, the Falcons had one of the greatest pass rushes in NFL history. The Falcons new gm Dimitroff busted it up for no apparant reason. We had Rod Coleman (pass rusher extraordinaire) on one side and John Abraham (premium pass rusher) on the other side. This tandem worked well because you couldnt double team either one because the other would be left open. I remember Coleman getting stopped by the police on a misdeameenar charge (i dont remember if it was dui or marijuana possession), but I think that put up a red flag for the Falcons brass and Coleman was cut after the pre-season in a shocker the next year. Abraham is great but because he is out there on an island by himself, he constantly draws double teams, thus minimizing his effectiveness. If we signed Julius Peppers you would see Abrahama come alive. Regardless, I think the Falcons made a mistake of letting Coleman go because he was not a criminal and he could have helped the Falcons win the title this season. Rod Coleman and John Abraham provided the most lethal pass rush in the nfl and would have gotten the Falcons into the superbowl; no question about that. We actually let go three pro bowl players under the Dimitroff regime and I dont know why any of those guys were let go. It made our team weaker this season and thus the decline in record from 11-5 to 9-7. If standouts are released this summer again the record will continue to decline. I think the Falcons are going backwards and are going in the wrong direction. Thats my personal observation.

wxwax

February 1st, 2010
2:03 pm

The score so far:

Pro: Schultz
Anti: The rest of the world.

lou

February 1st, 2010
2:04 pm

Peppers if u want to win or play in the Super Bowl dont sign with the Falcons!!!

Blue Fox

February 1st, 2010
2:06 pm

Too old and over his prime, save your $$$, Falcons.

BudAbbott

February 1st, 2010
2:10 pm

Peppers is too expensive to sign. His salary is through the roof and that would ruin our payroll structure. We would probably have to release some of our top players to clear cap space or money for him to sign. Also, I noticed that peppers doesnt always play hard in my opinion. There are games where he gets no pressure at all on the opposing qbs. I say pass on peppers and draft a good defensive lineman that you can train to do the job.

John Boy

February 1st, 2010
2:18 pm

No way man. We don’t need another complainer / bad attitude sour graep. How often do move like this work out? Seriously guys, focus on drafting young talent, let some other team waste money on this guy. Put it this way, if there are questions or doubts now, there WILL be issues.

LukeMerriman

February 1st, 2010
2:21 pm

I think the Falcons should attempt to sign quarterback Brett Farve (originally an Atlanta Falcons quarterback), make him our starting qb and move Matty to back up and let him learn under Farve. I think Farve can guide the Falcons to a superbowl title, what he couldnt do with the Vikings.

JaniceSullivan

February 1st, 2010
2:32 pm

I WOULD NOT SIGN PEPPER. PEPPER IS A HEAD CASE, HES ALWAYS MOODY AND HE PLAYS HARD, ONLY WHEN HE WANTS TO. HES UNDOUBTEDLY A GREAT TALENT, BUT HE IS MORE OF A BASKET CASE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. PLUS HE HAS ONE OF THE MOST EXORBETANT SALARIES IN THE NFL. HIS SALARY IS WAY UP THERE IN THE GALAXY SOMEWHERE. PLEASE PASS ON PEPPER. PEPPER IS PAST HIS PRIME, HES OVER THE HILL, AND HES TOO EXPENSIVE TO DEAL WITH.

THE FUTURE

February 1st, 2010
2:44 pm

yeah lets sign that Favre kid and that deon sanders kid and get iron head for fullback and hershel walker for tailback we could probably get a good second round pick out of a Turner trade

Panther Fan N Charlotte

February 1st, 2010
2:51 pm

Peppers only plays when it suits Peppers and he has been lazy on the field since UNC. With a fat contract you’ll see just how lazy. Even this year a supposed great year every team in the NFL knows to run at him. He backs up and runs away making plays 7 yards down field. Run away from him and don’t block him for backside pursuit and he is a monster but then who in the NFL unblocked isn’t and you don’t have to pay over a million $ per game either. As a Panther Fan. PLEASE TAKE PEPPERS. Pep has spent his whole life being about potential but at his age and salary the demand is for production. He is like a stadium beer….over priced….mostly foam… and at the end you realize it wasn’t cold and you didn’t particularly enjoy it. Especially at that price.

JacquePierre

February 1st, 2010
2:52 pm

Yeah go ahead and sign peppers. Give peppers a mike vick contract of $250 million dollars and destroy the team payroll structure. That makes no sense whatsover. Peppers is an overstuffed, overpriced bag of donuts and we dont need peppers at all to improve. Peppers will hold the falcons hostage like he has done with the panthers. Peppers has turned the panthers into mere lambs and they dont seem as feroucious as they were when they made the superbowl a few years ago.

JabboRockefeller

February 1st, 2010
2:53 pm

I’m in the Ray Edwards camp.

Aundray Bruce's Mother

February 1st, 2010
3:04 pm

Please, please Mr. Blank. Sign up my little darling. Sure, he’s a linebacker and all, but he showed the world he could also play a little tight end over there at Oakland, and that Gonzales boy ain’t gettin’ any younger. Let my Audray show you he can play him a little DE. Wouldn’t cost you much at all.

Navigator

February 1st, 2010
3:04 pm

Why would Peppers make a difference, Schaub didn’t, the Top QB in the AFL statistically, starter in the pro bowl and MVP. If he couldn’t make a difference for the Falcons, then why would Peppers. I can see it now, he didn’t go to an SEC school, or he only got 10 sacks or make up a few. How about them Dawgs.

Matt

February 1st, 2010
3:06 pm

Inconsistent? Are you kidding me. He has avg 10 sacks per year since entering the league despite the 2 sack year he had when he was sick the entire season. I’m a Carolina fan living in Atlanta and it baffles me with the responses. I hope he doesn’t leave but the Falcons have nothing compared ot this guy. He is third in sacks over the last 10 yrs to Jason Thomas and Dwight Freeney. Come on!!!

Matt

February 1st, 2010
3:09 pm

If you want inconcsistent then look no further then Abraham’s stats.

Nativebird

February 1st, 2010
3:12 pm

Yes. no brainer. get him. and a corner in FA. draft everything else.

LuwellaThornton

February 1st, 2010
3:12 pm

Navigator: Schaub didnt make a difference because Vick was starting ahead of Shaub. Schaub should have displaced Vick as the starter because he had the better arm, was more accurate, was more dedicated and was significantly smarter than Vick and could think like a quarterback. Plus, Schaub was dedicated to excellence, where Vick was fascinated and supremely dedicated to dogfighting..Schaub should have been the choice all along but the people making the decisions, Jim Mora, Arthur Blank etc. were too dumb to realize Schaub was a keeper. I kept blogging incessintly that Schaub was destined for greatness, but I kept getting abused on the airwaives. It turned out I was right because NOT ONLY DID SCHAUB pass for more yards than Peyton Manning, Brett Farve and Drew Brees this year, the 3 best qbs in the nfl; Schaub passed the afc to win the pro bowl and won mvp honors in the pro bowl (ABSOLUTE VINDICATION THAT SCHAUB HAS MOVED TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS).Schaub was a class act but he was mistreated in Atlanta because Vick was given so much money ($250 million) that it was too late to reverse what had happened.

Bill

February 1st, 2010
3:13 pm

We need to find a way to pressure Brees, DO IT!

jayjay

February 1st, 2010
3:15 pm

FYI….you might like to view the Charlotte Observer Sport Page online. Get a sense for what Panther fans think of Peppers…..great potential, spotty at best effort, poor leadership skills (a head case much of the time), has exceptional games or strings of games….the key here is to not over pay.

I think you could be right Jeff…get this guy in at the right price and you might get a fantastic year out of him, but after a year its an even bet at best.

gt

February 1st, 2010
3:15 pm

How good is Peppers now. He is old and I am not sure his position has room for age. Gonzalez may be different because he has hands, and Turner still was young.

Harry

February 1st, 2010
3:23 pm

I think TD will not sign Peppers….bcoz

1. He believes building this team through Draft
2. He never like to Overpay a guy..(Peppers is expecting a big pay)
3. If he has any doubts on peppers about his inconsistency or Motivation factor…hemight take a pass on him

Personally…i think we should not sign and draft DE and OLB through draft. If we have to sign a Veteran on the defensive side of the ball…I would say a CB is a better option.

Just my 2 Cents

JabboRockefeller

February 1st, 2010
3:24 pm

Jim Marshall played DE till he was 40…

Kane337

February 1st, 2010
3:30 pm

No, too much money. Also, I has been stated that Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defense. The Falcons operate in a 4-3 so I don’t think he would come here anyway.

waw

February 1st, 2010
3:34 pm

For all the respect Peppers deserves as a player, I do not see him as the type of team leader the Falcons value. Very surprised if TD goes after him.

Peter

February 1st, 2010
3:40 pm

Reminds me of the Movie…….. “No League for Old Men” !

BillyBobThornton

February 1st, 2010
3:47 pm

The Falcons need Julius Peppers as much as they need Julius Cesaer to help them. What the Falcons need to do is START MAKING BETTER PERSONNEL DECISIONS with the people that they already have AND STOP CUTTING PRO BOWL PLAYERS.

YouCanRunButYouCannotHide

February 1st, 2010
3:51 pm

All I know is Abraham and Peppers as bookend DEs would be sick. Gonzalez ain’t going to be around forever (possibly only one more year) so let’s throw the kitchen sink at a Super Bowl run in 2010. Can the Falcons really find a DE in the draft that’ll give the production of Peppers? Washed up and over the hill? Doesn’t he have 25 sacks the past 2 seasons? Really, 30 isn’t old like it used to be people.

Look, the injured Falcons played the Saints tough and beat the Jets on the road with NY playing for a playoff birth. When healthy, the Falcons offense is good but it didn’t matter against the elite teams because our defense has been so weak. A Abraham-Peppers combo will allow the Falcons to rush 4 and take away the pass until we can find some reliable DBs.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

February 1st, 2010
4:07 pm

JULIUS PEPPERS THE ANSWER TO FALCONS WOES?

- Will he help with the 14 PICKS in 13 games?

- Will he help with the POOR redzone scoring?

- Will he be effective with a weak secondary?

The bottom line – do the Falcons even have enough money to attract a guy that just earned 16 – million dollars in 2009?

Sports Watcher

February 1st, 2010
4:08 pm

Vick could be traded before NFL draft…

http://digitalsportsdaily.com/nfl/20377

Matt "Choke" Ryan

February 1st, 2010
4:10 pm

This is year 3 of the Dimtroff/Smith/CHOKE era………….

If they don’t get a playoff win in 2010 there will be some MAJOR changes in 2011, especially since Baltimore & New York Jets rookie coach and quarterbacks have a combined 5 playoff wins.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

February 1st, 2010
4:19 pm

NOLA

February 1st, 2010
12:02 pm
He ain’t coming to play for the ‘cons. ‘cons are still celebrating their back to back winning seasons. julius wants to play for a real contender like the saints.

“PREACH ON NOLA”

You are absolutely right. Why would he want to go to a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2004 when he can get more money playing for a contender

Big Bob Wasklater

February 1st, 2010
4:20 pm

I say continue the youth movement. While I agree you must have some veteran players on the staff to keep the kiddo’s in line, the youth movement has paid some serious dividends. Draft strong on defense and fill the gap with some lower salary guys. Dropping Millions on a guy with alot of age and mileage is not good Football sense.

Freakinfalcons

February 1st, 2010
4:28 pm

There is no doubt that peppers can play when he wants to, but with his age and history taken in consideration is he worth the gamble? Hell yes! there are other possibilities like Richard Seymor ,Kyle Vanden bosch,Jason Taylor,Aaron Kampman, Jarvis Green.All of these guys are quality free agents that would provide immediate help.What TD will do is figure out who will produce the Biggest bang for for the for their buck.Bottom line ” WE NEED PLAYMAKERS ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL”.

Dialtone

February 1st, 2010
4:36 pm

May be a good move, but being a lifelong Falcons fan since about 1970, I understand that sometimes bringing a stud to Atlanta can inexplicably mean his productivity takes a dramatic hit.

Bring him! Let’s see what happens.

Peppers on one side, Abraham on the other….could be fun.

Matt

February 1st, 2010
4:47 pm

You’re nuts if you think the Panthers will allow Pep to walk away much less to a division rival. He is better then anyone on the Falcons D right now and has been for years. He has avg 10 sacks per year since coming into the league. Thats with his 2 sack year a couple years ago. And people say he’s over the hill or overrated. Name 1 Falcon who could hold his jock strap?

gringo honeymoon

February 1st, 2010
4:48 pm

dudes lazy. TD can do MUCH better w/ the coin available

Out

Matt

February 1st, 2010
4:49 pm

You need ot focus on that crappy secondary before adding a DE. I think I could have thrown for 300 yds against those bums.

rich mckay

February 1st, 2010
4:51 pm

Dont worry Jeff, the boys up here in Flowery Branch are gonna get done. If we promised Vick we’d pay him enough to leave in a wooden box, then we’ll pay Peppers. 2010 will be a beautiful thing after this deal!

Freakinfalcons

February 1st, 2010
4:51 pm

Abraham on one side Peppers on the other and Babs/jerry in the middle. It would be awfully tough to block them all ! We already have built in depth with Davis, Beirmann and Sidbury that will be very eager to prove their worth next season.

ahrasheed

February 1st, 2010
4:55 pm

Sign Julius Peppers. Yes he is an older player but, he will bring a swagger to the defense. He would also make Jahn Abraham a better player,because there was no pass rush from the opposite defensive end spot. That simply means, that John was doubled teamed in blocking assignments.

Jeryl McDowell

February 1st, 2010
5:03 pm

go for it. it will take our defense to the ultimate level

Freakinfalcons

February 1st, 2010
5:03 pm

At Julius Peppers Worst he is still better than Jamal Anderson……

Mark

February 1st, 2010
5:06 pm

I understand Peppers wants to leave the Panthers, but is Atlanta far enough away. Has there been any speculation that Peppers wants out of the NFC South altogether?

Freakinfalcons

February 1st, 2010
5:09 pm

He wants a long term BIG DOLLAR contract from a team. He is one of the best out there(Pay the Man ! )

dub366

February 1st, 2010
5:25 pm

excuse me , did he make the pro bowl.

so what r they waiting on sign him

Matt "Choke" Ryan

February 1st, 2010
5:28 pm

According to NFL Live (Hall of Fame Analysts)

ALL of you Losers are nuts!

They have Peppers projected to exceed the Albert Haynesworth 41-million guaranteed contract.

If the CHOKE gets a pay cut, maybe they can afford him

VickSwitchHitter

February 1st, 2010
5:30 pm

I read somewhere where someone mentioned if we signed Peppers we would have Bookends Peppers and Abraham; true yes an awesome rather lethal combination. Does anyone remember when we had bookends pro bowlers Ron Coleman and John Abraham? We led the league in sacks and a certain General Manager (Ditroff) busted that up for no reason whatsover. Now we have to break the bank to put back what we already had. It makes no sense to me. Coleman was about 10 years younger than Peppers and would have allowed us to become a dynasty for many years to come. In a whirlwind, almost april fools type training camp, we cut Pro Bowlers Alge Crumpler and pro bowler Ron Coleman for absolutely no reason whatsoever. This is what keeps franchises horrible for decades when you have pro bowlers already performing at the highest level of the nfl and somebody comes in and cuts the legs out from under them for no apparent reason. No reason was given. I could understand Alge Crumpler getting cut because his attutude had gone south. He was giving about 10% effort and was holding back about 90% effort and that could not be tolerated. But Coleman was an awesome pass rusher and gave the Falcons one of the most lethal ever and undoubtedly the best ever. Maybe coleman came to camp overweight and couldnt perform but we already had pro bowl bookends. No explanation was given why coleman disappeared and I suppose we will never know.

Freakinfalcons

February 1st, 2010
5:55 pm

Rod Colman was a good inside pass rusher but when Kerney Walked as a Free agent we to this day have not replaced his caliber on that side. We have tried many different ways to get a threatning pass rush from that side and have failed. They simply double protect Abrahams side and stop our pass rush. We need if not peppers , someone who demands double teams on that side to complete our defensive front.

Navigator

February 1st, 2010
5:59 pm

Of course Kearney had to go, he was from the ACC and everybody knows that unless you’re from the SEC you are no good. How about them dawgs.

Ivan

February 1st, 2010
6:09 pm

I say no to the Peppers signing. Keep building through the draft. Of course, should the Falcons management think otherwise and bring Peppers on board, I won’t complain.

BravesFanLostInOhio

February 1st, 2010
6:25 pm

I’m all for it…but no more than a 3 yr contract

Ken Strickland

February 1st, 2010
6:41 pm

TD and Smitty have said over and over and over again, they want to get young, quicker and faster, and that’s not going to happen if we sign DE JPeppers. Too many Falcon fans seem to jump at the chance to buy the sizzle and rather than the steak.

Our own DE KBiermann, a 2yr vet with just 1st yr of starting experience, had 49 total tackles, 4 for losses, and 5 sacks. You have to believe he will improve upon those totals next yr, especially his sack total. DT JBabineaux had 47 total tackles, 10 for losses, and 6 sacks. When you compare their stats to those of DE JPeppers’ 42 total tackles, 3 for losses, and 10.5 sacks, you have to realize you wouldn’t be getting a whole lot more for all that money.

5.5 more sacks and 6 fewer total tackles, over a much, much younger and far less experienced KBiermann, who’s going to improve, seems like a waste of money too me. Plus, you can never be sure Peppers will be as effective in our DEF scheme as he was in Carolina’s.

Down the stretch last season we didn’t get many sacks, but we got excellent pressure up the middle from our DT’s and flushed the QB out of the pocket, which forced bad throws. As a result, we got an unusually high number of INT’s down the stretch, and I’d much rather have INT’s than sacks. Sacks usually mean a loss of yardage and down, but INT’s always mean a change of possession.

If you have big lumbering, overweight DT’s like GJackson, who can’t effectively mount an effective pass rush, a pass rushing specialist like JPeppers is essential. In PJerry, JBabineaux, VWalker & TJohnson we have 4 DT’s that can provide a good interior pass rush. Therefore, we don’t need to spend excessive dollars to acquire a pass rushing DE like Peppers.

If we’re willing to consider spending the kind of money it will take to acquire DE JPeppers, it would make much more sense to spend that money on improving our OL, and acquiring a quality FA LT.

sidslid

February 1st, 2010
6:53 pm

It is Van Gorder’s call to some degree. If he thinks he can harness him, Blank will spend the money

Ted Shearer

February 1st, 2010
7:55 pm

I read recently that the Eagles were also looking at Peppers. The way they played against Dallas showed that they need some help. Myself, I wished that hadn’t given Reid and extension. He wants to run the team his way and has convinced Babber and Lurie that he’s right. Any comments?

cdog

February 1st, 2010
8:28 pm

i read where some people question pepper character, i don’t care if he comes in and kick people butts around him,coaches and all, as long as he brings victories to the falcons and a superbowl win.the current players can’t do that. the falcons need a player with fire in them.the current ones can’t deliver

cdog

February 1st, 2010
8:31 pm

i wish people will stop saying what’s not going to happen, there’s no future readers among you. julius peppers would instantly make the falcons superbowl bound.it will make abraham and sidbury elaevate their games.offenses will have their hands full trying to block either one of them. stop saying whats not going to happen.no one other than the falcon personnel know this.

Flo-Ri-Duh!

February 1st, 2010
8:45 pm

Peppers takes to many plays off and is out a lot with injuries – $10 million a year TOPS or let him go some where else.

WPWW

February 1st, 2010
9:07 pm

Peppers has been solid, but we don’t “need” him. We need Abraham healthy & Biermann starting (over sorry Anderson). Kroy proved he’s a dadgum stud during the season & preseason (leading the Falcons in tackles). We never should have drafted Anderson, and should trade or cut him asap.

http://www.castefootball.us

WPWW

February 1st, 2010
9:11 pm

P.S. – The Falcons never should have let Kearny & Brooking leave Atlanta. Keith showed (again) he still has it & Kearny was always underrated.

http://www.castefootball.us

FALCON FAN

February 1st, 2010
9:14 pm

PLEASE DON’T BRING PEPPERS TO THE FALCONS, WE NEED SOMEONE WHO IS YOUNG AND FAST, NOT OLD AND MENTAL!!!!!!

Falcon Fan

February 1st, 2010
9:56 pm

I hope we do it-a strong pass rush improves the entire D, and we certainly need it. This move would also force offensive cord. to spend considerable time developing blocking schemes and play calls to mitigate the pass rush which clearly benefits us. This could be a very important piece in our effort to go deep in the playoffs…

jason

February 1st, 2010
10:28 pm

he’s only 2nd in sacks in the league behind dwight freeney…. 5-time pro bowler with 26 sacks in the last two years alone… there were 4 starting DE picked for the pro-bowl this year and last year, yes julius was one of the 4 both years… “over the hill”? get real

jason

February 1st, 2010
10:30 pm

that sacks comment above is “total sacks since 2001″… not a “one-year statistic”

carolinafalcon

February 1st, 2010
10:31 pm

I live in charlotte. Panthers fans are killing peppers daily for his perceived lack of effort, taking plays off, all of that. He is someone with a full set of luggage – yes he has baggage! He disappears some games or play-to-play. y’all have seen it. Our o line handled him pretty well. We would be better off with someone with a big motor and let this guy go someplace else to be overpaid. He is not all that.

jason

February 1st, 2010
10:36 pm

i love it… we have the carolina panthers fans coming over to comment how much Peppers sucks!! haha… its like the jealous boyfriend who is in love with the girl until he gets dumped…. then he goes around telling everyone how much of a slut she was!! if you dont care for him dude, then dont follow the peppers articles around badmouthing him. you panthers wouldnt know a great player from a fly on the wall…. sign jake to 5 years!! yeah, do it!!!

NOLA

February 1st, 2010
10:59 pm

Who dat, who dat, who dat say dey gonna beat ‘em saints.

Superbowl champs in six days.

Who dat.

y’all ‘cons don’t want none of us next season, but you have no choice. chalk up two Ls against us next season.

See you at the amrdi gras.

Whoooooooooooooooooooooo Datttttttttttttttttttt

Ken Strickland

February 1st, 2010
11:04 pm

WPWW-Get your facts straight before blaming the Falcons for Kearney and Brooking leaving. The Falcons didn’t let Kearney go, he chose to become a FA early by voiding the final yr of his contract and leaving. The Falcons offered Brooking a contract, which he decided not to accept, so leaving was his decision. Besides, there’s absolutely no way you can say he would have or could have given us the same level of performance and physicality MPeterson gave us this yr. Replacing Brooking with Peterson was a definite upgrade.

JASON-you seem to be looking for an excuse to jump on someone. You’re not reading with comprehension. First, you should have noticed his name CAROLINAFALCON, and secondly, you should have noticed the statement “OUR O LINE HANDLED HIM PRETTY WELL”, as well as the use of the pronouns WE and OUR when referring to the Falcons. Go back and reread his comments and see if you don’t get a different take on what he said.

cdog

February 1st, 2010
11:28 pm

peppers whole attitude will change, the falcons are a superbowl contender and not the panthers.to be honest the whole falcon defensive line took plays off. thats why we need peppers.the linemen taking plays off is the reason the falcons were sitting home when the playoffs started.peppers would bring playoff and a winning attitude to the falcons instead of the panthers

ATLPhotog

February 1st, 2010
11:52 pm

Check the radar on motivated players who can make an impact at 30-31 yrs of age…not many. Find the best college, walk on, free agent you can because someone is often overlooked because of where they went to school. (for instance HBCU’s) some of the NFL’s best were small college players. Do whatever you have to but find the best, motivated, hungry, beast of a DE, CB, S, OLB now. Not for two-three years down-the-line.

Domini

February 1st, 2010
11:57 pm

I think this is stupid to even talk about because why would Atlanta get a guy who is wanting to play LB he has expressed that and if thats the reason he wanted to get traded then i doubt he will sign with the Falcons and this is a waste of time to talk about.

dsgbncali

February 2nd, 2010
12:11 am

Man Schutlz I won’t lie to you. I would love to have the guy but I have 2 problems with him and neither one is his production of lack there of in 09. 1) He takes too many plays off. 2) HE TAKES TOO MANY PLAYS OFF. I can’t have a cancer like this infecting this team. I want us to stay as germ free as possible.

Bruce

February 2nd, 2010
4:31 am

I think going after Peppers would only help the Falcons get better with their pass rush and the incentive that he would play his former team twice a year and any athelete that doesn’t feel like a team doesn’t see him as productive as he once was would certainly light a fire under his a**.Look @ the teams playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday.Dwight Freeney and Will Smith are guys that will get doubled and free up the other end to cause havoc in the backfield so get Pep and watch Carolina sweat when the Falcons Come to town.

The Governator

February 2nd, 2010
4:48 am

DO IT!!! DO IT NOW!!! (GET TO DA CHOPPA!!!)

The Governator

February 2nd, 2010
4:52 am

Enter your comments here

papadawg

February 2nd, 2010
8:02 am

When he plays hard he’s worth what you pay him BUT he takes to many breaks to suit me.

FDB

February 2nd, 2010
8:49 am

Nah. Peppers was great. But this move not enough bang for the buck. Go get the NEXT Julius Peppers.

MSS

February 2nd, 2010
9:48 am

i say go for it he can still play and coming here will make him play harder then if we an get our hands on Graham in the draft that would be great

angry banker

February 2nd, 2010
11:32 am

IF we are going to spend big $$ on a FA – why a DE? Abe, Bierman, CDavis and Sidbury all look good.

How about paying for a shut-down corner? Any big names on the market?

ELWALTER

February 2nd, 2010
11:34 am

ACQUIRE PEPPERS IF HE’S ACQUIREABLE. HE’S BETTER THAN ANYONE ON THE FALCONS CURRENT DEFENSIVE SQUAD. THAT’S NOT AN OPINION, THAT’S FACT. TOO OFTEN, ATLANTA HAS NOT USED GOOD COMMON SENSE IN THEIR SELECTIONS TO THIS TEAM. THIS GUY IS OBVIOUSLY GOOD. YOU CAN’T MEASURE HIM BY AGE, BUT BY HIS HEART.HIS HEART IS BIG. HE’S IN THE MOLD OF LAWRENCE TAYLOR, WHO AT 40, WAS MUCH BETTER THAN JON ABRAHAM.

JonasCanfield

February 2nd, 2010
12:17 pm

I would not pursue peppers because #1) he is too expensive #2) he is too old #3) he is washed up #4) he is a head case like a Plexico Burriss and you dont need a distraction in your locker room, despite the fact that he is a certain hall of fame talent. We dont have time to babysit a julius peppers. Let peppers be someone elses problem. If we draft a fast defensive end, maybe someone with the speed of Lawrence Taylor, we can train him to envision a bullsye on the qb’s head and go after the bullseye, getting tons of sacks per game.

JoeKapp

February 2nd, 2010
12:35 pm

I dont understand why ALL of the atlanta franchises (EXCEPT THE HAWKS) go out and get players (former allstars) who are PAST THEIR PRIME, thinking they can recapture their fountain of youth and perform as they did in their prime. The Braves never used to do it and now they are doing just that. The Braves acquired Troy Glaus in the offseason, merelly a shell of the player he once was. The Falcons now want to acquire Julius Peppers who is old, broken down, and totally unequipped to do the job. Acquiring Peppers was a great idea TEN YEARS AGO. Today its ridiculous because he has about one more year left in him. I dont know if the Thrashers practice this, grabbing up retreads from years past and trying to get them to regenerate their performances from decades earlier. Its nonsense and it will never work. The Hawks are the only franchise that is building correctly. Kudos to Billy Knight because Billy KNOWS BASKETBALL and knows how to build basketball teams from scratch. He did it with the Knicks and when he left the Knicks, THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FINALS THE FOLLOWING SEASON. When Billy Knight left the Hawks after they pushed Boston to 7 games in the opening round of the playoffs, the next year they win 47 games and win a rousing series against D-Wade and the Miami heat before falling to the overmatched Cavs. The next season FOLLOWING THAT ONE, this year, the Hawks played so well in the first half that Mike Woodsen came within one victory of coaching the eastern conference all-stars, which would have happened due to the second best record in the conference. When Billy Knight leaves a team, that team is in great shape. He builds from the ground up and builds a solid structure that wont collapse. He’s always done that and he always will do that. Thats why Knight makes the money he does as a GM.

Freakinfalcons

February 2nd, 2010
3:21 pm

There are a few decent corners that may be available like Dunta Robinson, if hes not Tagged.Nick Harper , Leigh Bodden and maybe Dre Bly. I really think another offensive weapon is in need. Roddy white outstanding!,Tony G the best! Micheal Jenkins (VERY AVERAGE) Harry Douglas might be good enough to take his job.We need another explosive receiver opposite Roddy White. Antonio Bryant would be a great pick up @ wide receiver. I like the attitude in which he plays the game. If the falcons are going to go to and deep into the playoffs next season they must get the best pass rusher(s) money can Buy. Later this season our secondary showed signs of improvement. Im not saying don’t take a corner in the first round. I’m just saying with an improved pass rush that will help our young secondary in coverage.

tyger

February 2nd, 2010
3:42 pm

Peppers is a huge opportunity.

Falcoons have done well with the draft. They are young, fast, cheap and resilient. A well coached team that overachieved. However, the league has caught up with them. They’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore. They need talent to go forward from here. Its time for the Falcoons to spend.

Peppers is an uber-talent. We cant continue to wait on red-shirt sophomores. We know we have issues and rookies aren’t the answer. Its unfair to the team, fans and city.

There is a window of opportunity here for the Falcoons to make a run at the Super Bowl. We have many of the pieces, we have depth, we have youth, now we need playmakers, difference makers.

Money is secondary. How can u complain about paying Peppers when you’re giving Jamaal Anderson $6M per/$30M guaranteed? Budgets can change, cuts can be made and contracts extended.

Money is not the pre-dominant factor, performance is. The Falcoons dumped salary and 5 starters last year, its time to recoup those savings and re-invest into the future.

Big time players cost money. If not Peppers, then how about Richard Seymour? Either way, if you want an All-pro DL, you’re going to have to pay. Or flip a coin and throw away another ton of money on another Jamaal Anderson.

Freakinfalcons

February 2nd, 2010
3:49 pm

I agree with you on Richard Seymour , he will be cheaper to aquire than peppers but can still play @ a high level. He could help the falcons with a pass rush and defend the run.

MotherTeresa

February 2nd, 2010
4:04 pm

No absolutely not. Why pour salt into the wounds of the falcons by adding peppers? If you saw a burning building would you get a fire extinguisher to put it out or would you pour gasoline on the flames to intensify them even more? We dont need peppers.

Freakinfalcons

February 2nd, 2010
4:28 pm

M T sounds like you have no clue about Football.

Maxx

February 2nd, 2010
5:01 pm

I would love us to sign Peppers, but that seems unlikely to me. The first reason is if you remember last offseason, Peppers wanted to leave Carolina to play in a 3-4 Defense, which Atlanta does not run. He was close to being traded to the Patriots last offseason, and I expect them to make a strong run at him this offseason. Number two, I don’t think Peppers has some kind of grudge against the Panthers as Adam Schefter suggests, mainly because he wants to leave Carolina, they are not forcing him out. This story has no real basis except for the fact that Peppers will be available and ATL needs help rushing the passer, since Jamaal Anderson is a complete bust. Having said that, I would LOVE to have Julius Peppers on the Falcons, I believe anyone in their right mind would love to have Peppers

Tweets that mention Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons’ problems | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com

February 3rd, 2010
10:37 am

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Terence Jones, Gary Wilkerson and Jeff Schultz, Penny. Penny said: Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons' problems: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Falcons owner Arthur Blan… http://bit.ly/dimbzd [...]

BarryWhistler

February 3rd, 2010
1:26 pm

The Falcons are already tettering on the brink of disaster and are parked at the edge of the cliff. Signing Peppers would push them over the cliff for complete and unmitigated destruction. It would be like going back and reliving the Mike Vick years all over again. An absolute nightmare. Let Peppers be someone elses nightmare.

KenProctor

February 3rd, 2010
3:52 pm

Although he is the salt of the earth, Peppers should not be brought to Atlanta for 13 reasons. #1) he is too old; #2) he is past his prime; #3) his techniques are ancient; #4) he is too slow; #5) he is too moody; #6) he is too self-centered; #7) he takes too many plays off; #8) hes too expensive; and #9) hes a timebomb waiting to blow up; #10) hes too flappable #11) hes lazy; #12) hes a bust; HOWEVER #13) HES A CERTAIN HALL OF FAMER. #13 IS PROBABLY THE REASON TO TAKE A CHANCE ON HIM.

Falcon Fan

February 6th, 2010
12:47 pm

Okay, 30 is not old for a defensive end. I believe Strahan was quite effective with 9-sacks in his final season at the ripe age of 36. Moreover, he’s only missed two games since his rookie season. That to me is a sign that he’s durable. As far as contracts go, how many NFL contracts aren’t 3-year contracts when the player doesn’t perform. Its all about the signing bonus. Does Peppers have a reputation for dogging it, yes he does, but so does Randy Moss and we all see what he did once he got on a team with great leadership at the head coach position. I think we’re two years away from being in Indy for a chance at history. We don’t have to depend on the draft totally to get there. Besides we need to use the draft to get a great young corner with size and a explosive offensive running back/kick returner.

Mr Cox

February 8th, 2010
7:03 pm

Ah, great! This cleared up some confusion I’ve heard.

Falcon4Life85

February 8th, 2010
9:00 pm

Peppers+Babineaux+Abraham+Jerry = WIN

Should Falcons go after Julius Peppers? « control+ATL+delete

February 8th, 2010
10:48 pm

[...] Jeff Schultz is convinced. But ESPN’s Pat Yaskinkas spoke with Thomas Dimitroff last week, and while he didn’t [...]

February 8th, 2010
10:57 pm

[...] Jeff Schultz is convinced. But ESPN’s Pat Yaskinkas spoke with Thomas Dimitroff last week, and while he didn’t [...]

Salt-N-Peppa

February 11th, 2010
5:01 pm

The only place Peppers will land is next to a SALT SHAKER…!!!!!!!!!!!!

NothingToLose

February 15th, 2010
8:00 pm

It was very interesting for me to read the blog. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

Truly yours

Mark L

February 16th, 2010
5:04 pm

Ah! I’m so glad this was poste| There are quite a bit of different
information posted, this dispells, puts to rest
a lot of what I’ve read.

don p

February 25th, 2010
12:17 pm

Defense wins Super Bowls Julius is what we need we can get a Corner in the draft. If Arthur really wants to win then go get Sharper also. If the birds want to win it all then they have to pay the price.Julius is the price pay him.Don t forget this man chased down Mike Vick in the open field.If we are blessed with good health then Matty Ice will do the rest.Don t let this chance go by get these guys NOW.
THE LOMBARDI TROPHY AWAITS MAKE IT HAPPEN .

Eric

February 25th, 2010
5:18 pm

I definitely felt the SAME way soon as ESPN announced he would be a free agent. Mr. Blank If you value your fans opinion discuss the Peppers acquisition with yuor Staff. He would help that D-line plus the secondary. Can you say NFC Champ 2010!..

NothingToLose

March 9th, 2010
10:51 pm

Pretty nice place you’ve got here. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

Best wishes

Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons’ problems

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Julius Peppers could be answer to Falcons’ problems

281 comments Add your comment

About Jeff Schultz

We’ve Moved!

One Subscription. Total Access.

Search this blog

Recent Posts

Archives

More from the AJC

Categories

Blogroll

All AJC blogs »

Tell us what you think about the site

Subscribe »

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Other Editions

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Advertising

AJC Sites