Julius Peppers wants out; the Falcons shouldn’t touch him
See this? Pictorial evidence of a Julius Peppers non-sack. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
News out of Charlotte today is that Julius Peppers says he doesn’t want to play for the Carolina Panthers because he has been ignored this offseason. (Peppers gave a radio interview, and his answer to one question prompted the usually straight-down-the-middle Associated Press to describe it as “rambling.”) Speculation has already suggested that Flowery Branch could/should be Peppers’ next place of employment. I have one word for this:
The word is “no.”
The Falcons need a pass rusher. Peppers rushes the passer — sometimes. He had 2 1/2 sacks in 2007. He had 14 1/2 in 2008. He had 10 1/2 last season in what was a contract year. Of those 10 1/2, six came against Washington, Buffalo and Tampa Bay. He had no sacks in four games against New Orleans and Atlanta.
There are times when you watch the Panthers and you think Peppers is Deacon Jones. Other times you think he has come down with the deacon blues. (Steely Dan reference.) Put simply, he doesn’t seem to play hard all the time. And the one thing the Falcons want from all their players — and the chief criterion regarding all future acquisitions, be they free agents or draftees — is this: Do they play hard every single down?
The Falcons would be better served sticking with John Abraham, who’s coming off an uninspiring season but who’s facing a contract year himself, and trying to find a pass rusher in the draft. Peppers is going to want the moon and the stars for a new contract — he made $16.7 million last season — and he’s not worth half that. He’s a good player who sometimes does great things but who didn’t exactly lift the Panthers, who had to win their final three games to reach .500, to great heights.
And he’s a whiner. He tried to leave after last season but the Panthers stuck him with the “franchise player” tag. He lobbied to oust defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac, and Trgovac indeed left. Now he’s saying the Panthers aren’t paying enough attention to him. From the radio interview: “How can you say you want to be somewhere when you’re not really sure if they want you there because they’re not even talking to you?”
Loading ...The two words most apt to chill any conversation with the Falcons’ new brass are these: DeAngelo Hall. Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith want no prima donnas in their organization, and Peppers has those tendencies. The good plays he’d make wouldn’t be worth the trouble of coddling his ego. Besides that, he’s 30. How many pass rushers stay good at age 32, 33, 34? (Abraham is 31, you should know.)
And it’s not as if the Falcons have to do anything rash. From Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, assessing the Saints’ chances to repeat as Super Bowl champs:
“The Falcons have a quarterback in Matt Ryan and big-time targets in Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. They remind me a bit of the 2008 Saints — all offense and not enough defense. You can bet that the Falcons are going to work to improve that defense in 2010. If the Falcons can improve half as much on defense as this season’s Saints, anything becomes possible.”
The belief here is that Dimitroff can find enough defensive aid in this draft and perhaps free agency — and don’t forget the return of Peria Jerry and William Moore, neither of whom did much of anything as rookies due to injury — to lift the 2010 Falcons to the postseason. The belief here is that Peppers shouldn’t be needed or wanted in Flowery Branch. The MeAngelo days are done, thank goodness.
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214 comments Add your comment
Nique
February 9th, 2010
3:54 pm
Bradley, Marcus Spears really??? We said that we need a pass rusher & your going to offer up someone who has a career high of 2.5 sacks? I mean come on! Ya’ll need to wake up & get realistic. Now i understand a 3-4 doesn’t allow De’s top be huge sack ppl, but 2.5 as a career high is not enough to merit being mention as a pass rushing solution.
Willy
February 9th, 2010
3:54 pm
You’re right Nique.
No decent defensive end has ever actually been drafted. They are born as free agents. And, yeah. I want Peppers as a mentor to the younger players; all of which have the same huge talent and can get by and applying it about every other play/game.
Falkor
February 9th, 2010
3:55 pm
Jamaal was Rich McKay & Bobby Petrino’s pick, and obviously he hasn’t developed to being worthy of the 8th overall pick. But they certainly were not the only ones who thought he graded that high. I’m sure the plan is to cut their losses and try again.
Falkor
February 9th, 2010
3:57 pm
Willy, that’s too funny!
JB FALCON
February 9th, 2010
3:59 pm
Trust TD on this one. He knows where we’re going and he knows how he plans to get us there. I’d vote NO on Peppers if it counted. Also, I agree that the “first” comment is stupid and childish but Bradley keeps giving out kudos! For What?
Hillbilly Deluxe
February 9th, 2010
3:59 pm
The belief here is that Peppers shouldn’t be needed or wanted in Flowery Branch.
Agreed.
Nique
February 9th, 2010
4:06 pm
Yeah Willy thank for trying to be a smart*** real productive! I’m not saying that you can’t get good DE’s in the draft, anyone one knows that, but what I am saying is that unless Dunlap or possibly Graham falls to us at 19 or 20, then the draft seems bleak as far as getting a pass rushing DE. & how many drafts do you continue to try 2 hit a homerun on a DE, before you strongly consider the Viking approach & go & bite the bullet & pay for a proven pass rusher or make the BIG TRADE to acquire a proven person taking away all of the guess work, especially if you really feel that the pass rusher is all you lack?
Mark Bradley
February 9th, 2010
4:06 pm
JB FALCON, I see no harm in the “first” race. It’s all good clean fun — and at a reasonable price!
TROTTINGHOME
February 9th, 2010
4:09 pm
Mark,
how do recognize first and ignore nigue and his comment about peppers being 30 not 32?
I guess it’s true what i hear…lawyers are super heros..they can fly through a shyt storm and still say… “it smells like fresh flowers dorothy”.
FALCONS SORRY
February 9th, 2010
4:11 pm
JULUS PEPPERS! BE GLAD YOU ARE IN CAROLINA FOR AN OKAY OWNER AND NOT HERE IN ATL WORKING FOR THE DEVIL HIM SELF! YOU MAY NOT BE GETTING THE RESPECT YOU DESERVE RIGHT NOW BUT YOU WILL GOT STAB IN THE BACK HERE LIKE NO WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD! THIS SORRY FRANCHISE HERE IN ATL DONT KNOW HOW TO TREAT IT STARS GOOD LIKE THEY DESERVE! THE NO COUNT OWNER WILL SMILE TO YOUR FACE LIKE IT ALL GOOD BUT THEN PUT A KNIFE IN YOUR BACK THE FIRST SECOND YOU TURN AROUND TO GO TO PRACTICE AND THEN HE WILL GRIN REAL BIG WHILE HE COUNT HIS 30 PEACE OF SILVER! THE ONLY PLAYER ON THE FALCON THAT THE OWNER TREAT WITH ANY RESPECT AND PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IS THAT WEAK ARM PRETTY BOY THAT SELL RAZORS AND THAT HAS #2 ON HIS JERSEY TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE FULL OF! JULUS IT TIME FOR YOU TO GET PAID LIKE SOME ONE WITH YOUR TALENT DESERVE! JERRY JONES SHOW HE PLAY HIS STARS GOOD AND HE TREAT THEM RIGHT TOO! THE NO SANTS IS ANOTHER GOOD PLACE TO GO RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU CAN GET PAID! IF FARVE RETIRE THEN THE VIKING WILL BE ABLE TO PAY YOU LIKE A KING AND MAYBE EVEN GIVE YOU A NICE QUEEN TOO! THE ONLY THING YOU WILL GET HERE IN ATL IS YOUR FACE SHOVE IN AUTHUR BLANKS TOLET AND THEN HE WILL TELL YOU TO GO CLEAN IT TOO! DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND FLUSH THE FALCONS OFF YOUR LIST OF CANDATES JULUS!
Mark Bradley
February 9th, 2010
4:20 pm
Peppers is 30. That’s what I wrote, I thought.
FALCON AVENGER
February 9th, 2010
4:21 pm
thank you for that unsolicited testimonial falcons sorry ! but i do agree that julus shouldn’t date anymore cans thats just wrong.
Falkor
February 9th, 2010
4:22 pm
Wow, that’s some hatred being thrown out with the CAPS.
Who exactly did Blank stab in the back:
The QB who committed felonies and cost the team millions?
The CB who was all about himself, and has shown that he was always at least a little overrated? (He got cut by the Raiders!!)
The TE who has had almost no production in an offense that throws to the TE regularly?
I’ll give you Dunn, but he was truly at the end of his career, but it did kill Blank to let him get dropped. He’s now a part-owner so he obviously hasn’t held a grudge.
Was it Rod Coleman who broke his leg on a JetSki?
Honestly, who are you talking about?
As far as Peppers, most pass-rushing DE’s just aren’t productive in their mid-thirties. Reggie White and Strahan are the exception, not the rule.
Falkor
February 9th, 2010
4:26 pm
Probably a Vick fan….
I’d take Matt Ryan any day of the week!
4.2 speed and the ability to throw 80 yards don’t mean squat when you can’t throw a 10-yard out or hit your RB coming out of the backfield.
Talk about Jamaal not developing, Vick is gonna need his own blog…
Blindog
February 9th, 2010
4:26 pm
Falcon Sorry,you are an idiot,why don’t you shut the hell up and go crawl back under a rock where you belong!!
Willy
February 9th, 2010
4:26 pm
Okay Nique, all that being said – I’ll say this: They don’t need an absolute stud to play opposite Abe. If they have men in the middle and just a decent rusher on the left side; everybody is good. Just like a good wide receiver tandem, you got your #1 guy, and your complimentary pieces.
This is why I think (and fully trust) that the conversation on who might be that right side guy will be is a good one to have.
Tailback U
February 9th, 2010
4:28 pm
I mostly agree with you Mark but I think to not pursue Peppers
at least to a point could be a big mistake. I have seen many times
when players careers are reborn when they land with another team.
A players’ name comes to mind who had a very similar reputation.
He signed with a team alredy enjoying success and that rep seemed
to fade as he performed well. I seriously doubt that the team
regrets signing him as he has been very instrumental in their
offense . The players’ name ? Randy Moss
If I am Dimitroff I would pursue him at least to a determined point.
Ivan Vasilii Vladivostok, aka "Pasha dat a$$"
February 9th, 2010
4:28 pm
How about a Jammal Anderson for Glen Dorsey at KC?
RomeDawg
February 9th, 2010
4:28 pm
We need a pass rusher who is half as quick off the snap as A.J. is a “first” on these Bradley Blogs! Two in one day, dude, that is seriously impressive. You need to go buy a lottery ticket.
Nativebird
February 9th, 2010
4:31 pm
Okay, you sold me. But puuuulease…no drafting anymore high round DB’s, haven’t we proved this fallacy? If you want NFL calibur DB’s, you’re gonna have to spend a few dollars, and get proven pro’s that’s done it a bit. rounds 1 and 2 defensively should always go to the bigtime big men, DT and LBs. (Jamaal anderson notwithstanding mr. mckay). P. Jerry showed greatness his first few games b4 injury. It’s time for that great OLB to come in and help out the next great Falcon pro-bowler, Curtis Lofton, the “thumper”.
Long Ball
February 9th, 2010
4:32 pm
Julias Pepper, Dr. Pepper, Salt ‘N Peppa… We need somebody to pressure the QB on those 3rd and longs that too often this past season turned into 1st downs! I don’t think anybody ever gets an impact DE as a rookie in the draft though.
Steve
February 9th, 2010
4:32 pm
Mark I agree, Meangelo’s performance in that awful game against the Panthers was the culmination of that attitude, and I believe that’s what THOSE players (TO, Ochocinco, Meangelo, and even Deon) bring to the table. Big talent, bigger ego. Let’s go get a no-name that TD finds fit to rush the passer, because using his time in NE and ATL, TD has shown his ability to evaluate talent.
Willy
February 9th, 2010
4:36 pm
Contrary to my sarcastic statement about drafting defensive ends, I will agree with NATIVEBIRD about drafting defensive backs. Island players can’t produce for a year or two. Contrary to probably everyone else’s opinions, I still think we may have drafted those DB’s the past couple of years, regardless of height.
Falkor
February 9th, 2010
4:36 pm
At least we all seem to agree that our 1st pick should be used on defense.
Mark, any word on the Clabo or Dahl negotiations?
Dont forget the potential for lock-out...
February 9th, 2010
4:36 pm
Whether he is 30 or 32, he will not sign a three year deal. This is his last chance to get a max contract. The way the NFL is structured, he is more likely to get cut three years from now to save cap space than he is to sign a contract in the top 10 at his position. This dude will be looking for a 5-6 year deal in the $15+ mil a year range with a substantial portion of that as a signing bonus. I’m not questioning his talent, I’m questioning the risk of signing him and potentially getting one productive year out of him before a lock-out. Not to mention that an uncapped 2010 (highly likely) will greatly limit the quantity of free agents (4 & 5 yr players lose unrestricted status) putting an additional premium on high skill FA’s that are out there.
WonderDawg
February 9th, 2010
4:40 pm
Yeah, Willie, a real fine mentor Peppers would be. Ah yes, he could show the techniques and mental preparation of being selfish. Come to think of it, we’ve had a “mentor” like that before on the Falcons. DeAngelo Hall. Or as he was so fondly known in Atlanta, MeAngelo Hall.
Mark Bradley
February 9th, 2010
4:40 pm
I’d be surprised if Clabo is back, Falkor. I’d be surprised if Dahl isn’t back.
Tailback U
February 9th, 2010
4:41 pm
Something happened to my post attempt Mark . Forgive if repeat.
I mostly agree with you Mark ,however I have a point that I think
we should all consider. I have seen players leave teams and flourish
other places because of a number of factors. I think it could
happen with Peppers as well. There is no arguing the talent so
if motivation and the right team atmosphere meet up here we could
have an elite talent working at the position. And I have one
name for you to consider to bolster my point, Randy Moss.
Every thing you said about Peppers has been said about Moss.
I don’t personally feel that the Patriots regret signing the guy.
In fact even though the are not as successful currently as they
have been they would be much worse off with Moss. Now I made
I feel is a legitimate point but all that being said if I am
Dimitroff I would be limited in my pursuit because as you say
it is with considerable risk looking long term.
UglyOldDog
February 9th, 2010
4:43 pm
Peppers will fit in perfectly in Buffalo
aunt melmel
February 9th, 2010
4:46 pm
Take Julius Peppers…PLEASE!
(Charlotte, NC)
Willy
February 9th, 2010
4:47 pm
No, Peppers is going to the Redskins. You know it.
26.2
February 9th, 2010
4:51 pm
Yep Peppers seems to be Reeling in the Years.
DaWg
February 9th, 2010
4:56 pm
Do not sign this guy. Go young. Draft well.
singndablues
February 9th, 2010
4:56 pm
Still think Aaron Kampman from Greenbay would be a solid option.
eddy
February 9th, 2010
4:56 pm
Falcons sorry, You are an a moron. Plain and simple.
DaWg
February 9th, 2010
4:56 pm
We need someone who is angry and poorly reared.
singndablues
February 9th, 2010
4:59 pm
Kampman’s numbers are similar to Peppers and the price would be much less.
Don
February 9th, 2010
5:03 pm
They’ve got a name for the winners of the world
I want a name when I loaf
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Julius Peppers
FalconHeroZero
February 9th, 2010
5:05 pm
See Recent AJC Sports Article “Falcons Rebuilding in Limbo”.
They are not going to spend. They are telling you that they fear that no matter what they spend in a Cap-Free year that The Big Market and Legendary Franchises will out-bid them (which contradict an earlier article about their confidence that The NFL will control spending this off-season. So, you all are looking at a nice season in 2010.. (If the young players and returning vets that they do have turn into a great team, so be it.) It’s basically, a “don’t expect much” type of foreshadowing from some insiders…
The local Sports teams use the media to tell you what they plan to do in the off-season -
They throw some teasers (Peppers), just to build some excitement, but fail to make major acquisitions because most of the region is won’t attend games unless they feel that there is a championship caliber team.
Cherokee
February 9th, 2010
5:08 pm
MB as much as I hate to admit it I agree with you. A total waste of time and money.
FalconHeroZero
February 9th, 2010
5:10 pm
Peppers will probably be a Patriot OLB..
He is a Patriot type of signing..
If you read the national media, they reported that Peppers:
**** does not want to play LDE (Strong-side End) anymore. That’s why The Panthers moved him over to RDE over the last few seasons..
**** He wanted to extend his career by playing OLB in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
I assume that if he does sign with The Patriots or Broncos, that he will drop weight to that of a 3-4 OLB.
lnagfgja
February 9th, 2010
5:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Whopper Dawg
February 9th, 2010
5:36 pm
Pass, please pass on Peppers, I think Peppers wants to Throw out his gold teeth and see how they roll.
Tman
February 9th, 2010
5:49 pm
I’m with you, Mark. Peppers definitely takes plays off, and his “me first” attitude is very obvious. I don’t think there’s any worry- Dimitroff and Smith both want guys who play with what they term “urgency” and have no attitude. They will NEVER sign Peppers. I was wondering what they ramifications of releasing Abraham would be. Would the Falcons be liable for a big bonus cap hit? He didn’t do much last year, so why pay big bucks for him, if there’s no consequence? Let him go and use the money elsewhere. They can get average performance, as they got from Abraham, and pay a lot less for it.
Tech Rules
February 9th, 2010
5:49 pm
Deacon Blues? Are you sure you want to be making a reference to a song on Aja, considering that it came out before most of your readers were born?
Paul From Milton
February 9th, 2010
6:00 pm
I agree with yoru assessment Mark. I would guess there is some team out there that views him as the final piece to their defensive puzzle and will give him big money. With all the expiring contracts the Saints have, they may be one of the teams going hard after him.
waynester
February 9th, 2010
6:13 pm
Mark, agree 110%
Love the Steely Dan reference! Donald Fagen’s Nightfly is one of the best albums ever!
truth hurts
February 9th, 2010
6:14 pm
Mark, I dislike your articles immensly.
welikebaseball2
February 9th, 2010
6:23 pm
So, let me get this straight…you’d rather have a guy that “plays hard every down” & gives you 4 sacks for the season over a “slacker” that gives you 10-plus sacks a year? And you go on to make an argument that his sack numbers are skewed? Wow. Question, how many sacks did our guys get against Buffalo, Washington, & Tampa Bay?
welikebaseball2
February 9th, 2010
6:27 pm
By the way folks, don’t be so quick to jump on the bandwagons that claim certain players take plays off & are “me first” guys. How do you know? Remember what the alleged rap on Abraham was? I’d say his attitude has been just fine. Facts people, facts…not rumors.