Whither Julius Peppers?

[Striker]

if he stays healthy, I think he'll be more impactful than Neal/Perry. While there were some legitimate complaints about him in "meaningless" regular season games, he did always find a way to make at least one impactful play come crunch time.

[Bossman641]

In a down year he racked up 7 sacks. If we can get 7-8 from him, 6-7 from Neal, and 5-6 from Perry I'll be happy. He won't be an every down player, but I think he can be effective picking his spots.

[MadScientist]

Despite the upfront $$, he'll wind up being a situational player. Not what he used to be by any stretch, but still useful if put in the right situations and packages.

[ThunderDan]

if he stays healthy, I think he'll be more impactful than Neal/Perry. While there were some legitimate complaints about him in "meaningless" regular season games, he did always find a way to make at least one impactful play come crunch time.

He had a very impactful play against the Packers in 2013 that gave us a TD. The strip sack of ARod that no one picked up until Boykin did and ran it into the end zone.

[Zool]

Junius Coston was resigned?

[Pugger]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...268750761.html

This article was mostly favorable towards Peppers, but the one negative note caught my eye:

He must have slipped significantly.
Then I'm thinking, "If 6'7" was an asset for playing linebacker, you'd see 6'7" linebackers. Probably he is more of a lineman."

I'm glad they picked-up Peppers, somehow it's likely to make the team a little better. I do think he could end up being more of a situational player - and we'll have to see exactly what he's got. On other hand, there's some chance he was born to play this position all along.

Of course Peppers isn't an DE for us this year.

[Joemailman]

Peppers' numbers slipped last year, but he still led them in sacks, and led their D-Linemen in tackles. The Bears defense was atrocious last year. It can be tough when you're the only guy on a defense capable of making impact plays. You draw a lot of attention.

[run pMc]

I don't think he'll be All-Pro, but I think he will garner enough respect from some teams to draw attention away from Matthews. Peppers made two almost-big plays in Week 17, and his snap count for a 33yo DE was probably on the high side last year.

I don't think there are a lot of 6'7" defensive players, so I don't know if there's enough of a sample size to say he can or can't play a LB/DE hybrid role. If they don't ask him to do anything too wacky with pass coverage he's I think he's athletic enough. Whether he can rush as well standing up or not is a good question.

I think he'll be ok-to-good for GB. If he can stay healthy and platoon with Perry/Neal at elephant so he doesn't wear down, he'll be fine. He can still play.

[gbgary]

i have no idea at all what his contribution is going to be like. it's a total mystery. will have to see it. hoping for the best.

[Brandon494]

Peppers will have a pro bowl caliber season...book it!

[wist43]

If dude stinks it up he might get cut and not be as well paid so I think he has motivation. Fresh, ok maybe just new, tang makes all of us feel brand new right? Isn't that why you old crackas hookup with young señoritas (preferably with small hands according to Tex and Wist) from other countries? To feel like a stud again?

Da man hands?? Major turn off

[wist43]

I'm higher on Peppers now than when we signed him... mainly b/c Pickett and Jolly aren't going to be back.

Pickett and Jolly not being back means that Capers can't play the "jumbo 2-4"... that should mean more base and 3-3 looks - Peppers himself makes the 2-4 look more like a 3-3. I still prefer to have 3 guys with their hand on the ground, but Peppers is a rare talent, so he should make us better up front regardless of how Capers manages to screw it up.

[Just Jeff]

I just hope he has two great games against the shithole team he came from. That alone will make the acquisition worth the money.

[Pugger]

I just hope he has two great games against the shithole team he came from. That alone will make the acquisition worth the money.

And it will be fun to watch Bahk stone Allen in two games again this year.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm changing my vote