Peppers a Packer

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I know I'll get fleeced for thinking this, but I'd add Ebron to that group and might draft him over all three. To me, those four are the list we'll be picking from, and one will fall IMO....odds are it's Prior...who I pointed out months ago would be an ideal fit

Not at all, I would LOVE Ebron round one if he's available. I would actually take Ebron over all those players, I just don't think he will fall that far. I'd be more than happy going Ebron round one and say Jimmy Ward round two.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Back to Peppers, this is what I wanted to see from TT this off-season as I said in another thread. With the cap going up a lot the next two years and Rodgers and Matthews in their primes, now is the time to try and win. Strategy needs to change when the situation changes. This off-season we were put in a situation were we could retain our core AND add a few other guys. I'm glad TT sees that too. Hoping Peppers gives us one, hopefully two, great years.

[pbmax]

I wouldn't platoon him with Neal, I'd platoon him with Perry and D. Jones in a base 3-4 and a nickel 3-3. I'd even draw up some 4-2 alignments for him, but absolutely wouldn't consider him at LB.

Neal proved he could play LOLB last year, I'd pencil him in full-time.

Of the front 6/7 personnel, the only full-time players I'd have would be Matthews and Neal. Everyone else should be part of a package and/or rotation. Unfortunately, Capers thinks Hawk is a full-time player. Brad Jones should only be a very limited subpackage guy.

Without Hawk or Jones in the middle, in your 4-2 you have Matthews and Neal/Perry there. Either they or the hybrids then have to cover short zones.

The Packers had a definite problem with pass pressure last year. While it produced sacks, it was inconsistent enough to hang coverage guys out to dry several times a game. With your scheme I am assuming you are going for misdirection and disguise on your pressure packages. Then you are counting on that getting on steadier, increased pressure on the QB covering up for the weakness you have introduced into the middle of your coverage.

It might work. But I would rather keep the coverage and see if you can get better pressure with a rotating cast of characters in the front with an assist by Peppers. The best pass rush on the team prior to Peppers signing was Mathews followed in some order by Neal, Perry and Daniels. With only one lineman providing steady pressure, you need Peppers AND Jones to deliver to make a single OLB pressure package work.

[highlander]

Without Hawk or Jones in the middle, in your 4-2 you have Matthews and Neal/Perry there. Either they or the hybrids then have to cover short zones.

The Packers had a definite problem with pass pressure last year. While it produced sacks, it was inconsistent enough to hang coverage guys out to dry several times a game. With your scheme I am assuming you are going for misdirection and disguise on your pressure packages. Then you are counting on that getting on steadier, increased pressure on the QB covering up for the weakness you have introduced into the middle of your coverage.

It might work. But I would rather keep the coverage and see if you can get better pressure with a rotating cast of characters in the front with an assist by Peppers. The best pass rush on the team prior to Peppers signing was Mathews followed in some order by Neal, Perry and Daniels. With only one lineman providing steady pressure, you need Peppers AND Jones to deliver to make a single OLB pressure package work.

great post pbmax.

[digitaldean]

I am hoping that Peppers signing will be the kick in the backside that Nick Perry needs. Perry acted a little petulent last year when he was wanting to play on the side that Matthews was on. He thus far has been a huge disappointment.

IMO, I think this pick has nothing but upside for the Packers. If Peppers sucks, then he's one and done and on the street in 2015. But I think he can contribute enough that it can make a difference in more than a few games this year. This isn't the Reggie White or Charles Woodson signing by any stretch, but I think it can light a fire under this defense (and hopefully, Dom) to have a more attacking mentality.

[wist43]

Without Hawk or Jones in the middle, in your 4-2 you have Matthews and Neal/Perry there. Either they or the hybrids then have to cover short zones.

The Packers had a definite problem with pass pressure last year. While it produced sacks, it was inconsistent enough to hang coverage guys out to dry several times a game. With your scheme I am assuming you are going for misdirection and disguise on your pressure packages. Then you are counting on that getting on steadier, increased pressure on the QB covering up for the weakness you have introduced into the middle of your coverage.

It might work. But I would rather keep the coverage and see if you can get better pressure with a rotating cast of characters in the front with an assist by Peppers. The best pass rush on the team prior to Peppers signing was Mathews followed in some order by Neal, Perry and Daniels. With only one lineman providing steady pressure, you need Peppers AND Jones to deliver to make a single OLB pressure package work.

In a 4-2 I might not send any LB's... if you're sending 4 designated pass rushers, that's good enough on any given snap.

The point of running a 4-2 and 3-3 is to get talent on the field. I'd argue until the cows come home that it is better to have Jones, Perry (as a pass rusher), Daniels, and Peppers on the field to produce pass rush than any alignment that would have Hawk and Jones on the field.

Combine that front with Matthews and/or Neal and Mulumba, and every player you have on the field in that alignment is a threat to generate pressure. The Personnel alone might be enough to force a predictable check down that could be anticipated and defended.

As for coverage - Matthews can cover, you can still have Jones or Hawk in subpackages, and you're still in the nickel.

I don't mind Hawk or Jones in subpackages, but I count them as being of lesser talent that all of those other guys we're talking about - and to that end, I want that talent on the field, as opposed to the lesser talents of Hawk and B. Jones.

[esoxx]

Love the signing but let's remember; Peppers motor runs hot n cold. Always has. Some games you say "Dayum, that's Julius Peppers out there!" Other games, you'll think Cletidus Hunt has taken over his body and be bitterly disappointed. Know this going in, right now, and it will spare you all the grief later on when games actually start.

Still, it's worth it to get a player of this stature, that demands instant respect from the opposing OL. They don't know if Dr. Jeckyl or Mr. Hyde is showing up so they have to do their due dilligence in their game prep, taking him in to sober consideration. By comparison, I doubt they're losing sleep game planning for Jerel Worthy or Brad Jones.

If the Packers use him right, and I have full faith that Dom will, he'll pick his spots with this aging beast and maximize his collateral damage wherever he can get it.

Be afraid NFC foes, be very afraid.

[King Friday]

I'm not all that enthusiastic over the Peppers signing, but it was a prudent signing by Thompson none the less. He wasn't going to get an impact pass rusher in the draft. He had money to spend. Why not roll the dice on Peppers, who probably has at least a little bit left and has a high degree of familiarity within the division. If Clay can stay healthy, it gives our defense a couple of freakish athletic talents to aim at the QB. If any of the other young kids on this defensive front actually see the light come on during this offseason, it will help them come into their own as well.

[pbmax]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24486410/pass-rushing-specialist-julius-peppers-right-fit-for-green-bay-packer

“Quite honestly, within the first five minutes of being at the team facility -- meeting Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy and Russ Ball -- I could see that he felt right at home,” Carey said. “And he actually said that he really liked the vibe that was there. In this process, since Tuesday when he was released, I heard from a total of eight teams that were interested in him, and a number of those teams actually put offers on the table. But when we got to Green Bay he looked at me and told me, ‘Let’s get this done.’”

Liked the vibe of the gentleman he was meeting or liked the contract? Odd he didn't talk to Capers?

[3irty1]

I know I'll get fleeced for thinking this, but I'd add Ebron to that group and might draft him over all three. To me, those four are the list we'll be picking from, and one will fall IMO....odds are it's Prior...who I pointed out months ago would be an ideal fit

I'm 90% sure that's what Ted would do. Ebron is killer value at 21.

[mraynrand]

Love the signing but let's remember; Peppers motor runs hot n cold.

[denverYooper]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...een-bay-packer



Liked the vibe of the gentleman he was meeting or liked the contract? Odd he didn't talk to Capers?

“It feels great to be a Packer,” Peppers said via text Saturday night, upon returning home from Green Bay and reflecting on the whirlwind past few days. “I'm excited to join a team with a great history of winning and tradition. I could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to compete for a championship.

“I was looking for the right opportunity to present itself. A team with a legitimate chance to win a title, an organization full of great people and a locker room with great players who know how to win. I was also looking for a unique defensive scheme that would allow me to be a more versatile and effective player.”

Superbowlsuperbowlsuperbowlsuperbowl.

[Fritz]

Superbowlsuperbowlsuperbowlsuperbowl.

Peppers likes Capers's scheme?

He's no relation of Wist's, that's for sure.

[Patler]

Sorry if someone posted this earlier, but reading an article today, some stats jumped out at me:

9 interceptions (probably the most intriguing, for a DE)
39 forced fumbles
62 passes defended.

[Patler]

Interesting contrast in the comments from Tuck and Peppers. Tuck seemed to want to find familiarity, a team that would use him like he has been used in the past. Peppers seems interested in being used in new and different ways. Wants to show his versatility.