Julius Peppers Will Only Get Better With Age
Published by Kendrick Marshall on March 5, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Even though new free-agent signee Julius Peppers comes with a hefty price tag, the Chicago Bears should get their money’s worth well into the agreement.
Peppers’ contract in Chicago is expected to pay him roughly $40 million in the deal’s first three years according to ESPN, which should still leave the Bears with a productive pass rusher even near the end of his prime.
Although Peppers has sometimes been described as a malcontent who does not always take advantage of his freakish athletic ability, the great talent and production have far out weighed those lapses in desire.
If Peppers plays with a chip on shoulder combined with his football gifts, there is no reason to believe he can’t one of the top defensive ends for years to come.
In 2009, the Bears defense record 34 sacks with 12 of those coming from starting defensive end tandem Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye.
Peppers, a five-time Pro Bowler with the Carolina Panthers, has recorded 25 total sacks the last two years.
If NFL history has taught us anything, it is that great defensive ends are still very productive well past 30.
Former Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith recorded 93 sacks after he turned 30. Smith, who played in four Super Bowls with Buffalo as one of the premier pass rushers in the AFC, had a high water mark of 14 sacks at age 34.
Pro Football Hall of Fame standout Reggie White totaled 86 sacks in his 30s, with 16 at the ripe old age of 37. New York Giants great Michael Strahan contributed 56 sacks late in his career—18 of those coming when he was 32.
The same holds true for Jason Taylor, whose 13.5 sacks also at 32, was part of the 46.5 he tallied after 31.
Richard Dent (51) sacks, Neil Smith (30.5) and Howie Long (18) ha vet proven that the art of pressuring the quarterback is doable even when the athletes are long in the tooth.
“If we bring in Julius Peppers, that could help us a lot,” Bears defensive end Alex Brown said during an interview this week on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “The guy’s a monster, he’s an animal. He’s the biggest guy and fastest guy I think I’ve ever seen.”
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