Keep a bit of perspective when piling on Peppers

[monstercat]

I've seen him drop into zone coverage, so you're wrong there. And how the hell am I (or you) supposed to know what the play call is? If a play call had him slanting right and Witten blocks him left, then Peppers is already at a disadvantage. Witten is 6'5 265-270 lbs....he's a big dude. Peppers is only around 285 (if that) so it's not like Steve Smith is blocking Peppers off the run.

Well, I must have missed it somehow, because I haven't seen Peppers drop back once this year, and even if he did, it was only 1-2 plays a game out of about 50 or so. Anyway, I don't believe there is a defensive play call that requires Peppers to lose his one on one battles consistently.

[Scrumtrilescent]

I've seen him drop into zone coverage, so you're wrong there. And how the hell am I (or you) supposed to know what the play call is? If a play call had him slanting right and Witten blocks him left, then Peppers is already at a disadvantage. Witten is 6'5 265-270 lbs....he's a big dude. Peppers is only around 285 (if that) so it's not like Steve Smith is blocking Peppers off the run.

If Peppers isn't pushing 300 this year, I'm a midget.

[KatsAzz]

I agree with many of the points made, especially the part that Allen plays next to a couple of studs at DT. I personally could care less if Peppers shows no emotion.....as long as he gets the job done. Bottom line is, his production is horrible right now, and the lack of emotion only gives the impression that he does not care.....When he walked off the field against Arizona in the playoffs smiling and laughing, it was almost too much to watch. That may be totally unfair, but it is the perception.

Also adding to the fire is that he and his agent totally helped hose this franchise from a cap perspective with the way he refused to sign a long term deal last season and then declared he would only accept a trade to specific teams. This high stakes poker game resulted in the Panthers franchising him as the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. What has he done since then? Nothing to date. The only spotlight he got was when he fell on the runner against Dallas who had already fallen. While Allen may have had a lot of help on Monday night, he still had an awesome performance.

So right or wrong, when you add it all up, it would appear that Peppers isn't living up to his pay grade's expectations. His lack of production would lead most people to believe that he doesn't care or isn't that good. You made the comment about Allen being more productive because of the rest of the defensive cast. When Peppers was having his more dominant play years ago, he had a pretty different cast as well. Maybe he was playing better then because he was surrounded by better players just like some claim Allen is now.

Obviously, something isn't right about the Peppers situation, and most likely there won't be until (a) he starts playing at a much higher level or ( he is wearing another team's jersey.

[KatsAzz]

Gannt actually makes the case against Peppers. Peppers is much more talented than Allen and yet Allen stays with him in stats based on heart. Also, Allen IMHO is more dangerous than Peppers he is a DE that teams actually do double; unlike the usual excuse for Peppers. Also even when Allen doesn't get sacks he makes his presence felt, he has to be accounted for. Peppers just disappears.

Gantt cherry picked his stats!

Why did he not mention the advantage Allen has over Peppers in sacks this season, or 07 and 08 combined? He only chose the stats that made Peppers look good, those in 08, and for Peppers whole career (that's fair, compare the first seasons of a 5th round pick with those of a top draft pick).

Gantt totally ignored the fact that Allen has averaged 12.19 sacks per season in his career (64 sacks in 5 full seasons +4 games), while Peppers has averaged only 9.97 sacks per season in his career (71.5 sacks in 7 full seasons +3 games).

Why did he not mention that some had suggested Peppers be traded for Allen after the 07 season? I can only guess he wasn't one of them, and it would have hurt his point to include it. :eek:

[stankowalski]

If Peppers isn't pushing 300 this year, I'm a midget.

I really don't know, but he doesn't look 300 lbs. But I will say that if, according to the other thread, Beason is calling him out then I will go along with the notion that it is Peppers and not the playcalls that is the problem with Pep. Beason should know since he actually knows what the fug he's talking about.

[scpanther22]

I really don't know, but he doesn't look 300 lbs. But I will say that if, according to the other thread, Beason is calling him out then I will go along with the notion that it is Peppers and not the playcalls that is the problem with Pep. Beason should know since he actually knows what the f**k he's talking about.

If not he is close..he is noticeably bigger now...

[JuliusP_90]

When defenses play bad. Every player plays bad.

As far as I'm concerned Godfrey deserves far much more attention then papers. When your FS is consistently play-after-play finding himself caught out of position on a running play nothing is working. Even Marshall wasn't making any tackles.

No team pays any respect to the inside of our d-line and it shows. We need a solid gap filler. He may not be the long term solution but a big body can do a lot of good down there when its 3rd and short.

If our defense is designed to be a bend-but-not-break defense we're gonna need consistency in our secondary. If our safeties can't be in the right position (or miss tackles) then 3rd and 6 will become a 9 yard gain instead of the punt we need. Peppers giving an all-pro pass rush would help too.

Peppers may not be playing to all he can be but he's got a lot to worry about. He's gotta compensate for a lack of a true DT and a tackling problem by himself and everyone around him. I understand blaming Peppers but this WHOLE defense is having problems. They're uninspired, lack confidence, and lack the experience at the back-up positions that would have gotten them through the injury problems they face.

And on Peppers vs. Allen. Allen's on a team that's doing it right. And he's the star. If Pep doesn't step up, I too will jump ship into the looney bin with the rest of you.

[CanadianCat]

Allen was going against the 3rd string OL....

[CanadianCat]

very well put

When defenses play bad. Every player plays bad.

As far as I'm concerned Godfrey deserves far much more attention then papers. When your FS is consistently play-after-play finding himself caught out of position on a running play nothing is working. Even Marshall wasn't making any tackles.

No team pays any respect to the inside of our d-line and it shows. We need a solid gap filler. He may not be the long term solution but a big body can do a lot of good down there when its 3rd and short.

If our defense is designed to be a bend-but-not-break defense we're gonna need consistency in our secondary. If our safeties can't be in the right position (or miss tackles) then 3rd and 6 will become a 9 yard gain instead of the punt we need. Peppers giving an all-pro pass rush would help too.

Peppers may not be playing to all he can be but he's got a lot to worry about. He's gotta compensate for a lack of a true DT and a tackling problem by himself and everyone around him. I understand blaming Peppers but this WHOLE defense is having problems. They're uninspired, lack confidence, and lack the experience at the back-up positions that would have gotten them through the injury problems they face.

And on Peppers vs. Allen. Allen's on a team that's doing it right. And he's the star. If Pep doesn't step up, I too will jump ship into the looney bin with the rest of you.

[Udogg]

When you make 17 mill you are gonna get a large proportion of the blame if things don't go right whether its your fault or not. That being said, sometimes you have got to just make a play period. Sometimes all it takes is a sack in the right situation and that can fire up the defense and turn things around. Just doing what you are "supposed to" sometimes doesn't cut it.

[Kettle]

if you pile on too many peppers you're likely gonna end up with indigestion, heart burn, or diarrhea

[DaCityKats]

pep seemed to me to be playing with a lot more energy than years before.numerous of times he has made the tackle down field and gets good pressure on passing downs.having a decent dt would help tho.

[CRA]

Peppers is lazy and unmotivated.

I'm counting down the days till he is in a different uniform.

again, playing devil's advocate. Peppers played awesome week 1. Smith, Beason, etc. have not put together 3 games worthy of there elite status either this year.

Pep wanted to leave. Carolina wanted him to stay. He is playing exactly like he always has in Carolina. I just don't get the overreaction on Peppers. Peppers didn't want the 1M per game....he wanted out of here...just like other players and coaches recently have also. Carolina tagged Pep for him to do what he always has....and he is.

Beason's radio appearance imo will prove to be the official signal of the beginning of the end of the Fox era in Charlotte. I think we will begin to hear more and more talk though the media about more than just Peppers.....and and that is not a characteristic of a John Fox team. IMO, Fox has lost the team. That is why players and coaches have wanted out. It is league wide knowledge per guys in the "know" coaching is a concern in Carolina. That was also mentioned in the Beason interview yesterday. So, in that aspect I don't mind the comments b/c change in Carolina is coming......just not the one people are claiming is gonna occur b/c of this "pep talk". Fox will finally be gone after this year.

Also, I have read in threads people think Fox put Beason up to this? Seriously...that is hysterical. Beason was basically venting frustration that the coaches don't have the balls to address it. Which doesn't go well for the coach/player enviroment. It is called stepping on toes....and there are HUGE egos involved at this level.

[Fireball77]

IMO, Fox has lost the team. That is why players and coaches have wanted out. It is league wide knowledge per guys in the "know" coaching is a concern in Carolina. That was also mentioned in the Beason interview yesterday.

What segment of the podcast was that in? I listened to the last part of hour two and the beginning of the one that said it had the Beason interview on it until they stopped taking calls for him.