Julius Peppers: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

Julius Peppers

  • Age: 36
  • Ht./Wt: 6'7", 287lbs
  • College: North Carolina
  • NFL Experience: 14 years

Expectations coming into the season:  Somehow manage to cheat father time and log another season in the NFL.  Julius Peppers at 36 is no longer the pass rushing force that he used to be, but then again he's still the Packers 2nd most feared pass rushing threat next to Clay Matthews and with Matthews making the full transition to inside linebacker, more and more attention was going to be paid to Peppers.  Would he be still be able to be productive as the Packers main pass rusher or would being on the wrong side of 30 and then some finally come calling? 

Player’s highlights/low-lights: Peppers highlight game for the 2015 season was definitely against the Oakland Raiders were he almost single handedly destroyed the Oakland offense by consistently being in the face of quarterback Derek Carr.  Peppers 2.5 sacks ranks 10th in his career (he's never recorded more than 3 sacks in his career) and added 3 tackles and an assist as well.  As remarkable is that Peppers started every game in 2015, which is notable given his age and the amount of punishment he must have taken over the years.   

Level of Expectations met:  With Matthews shifting over to inside linebacker, Peppers again lead the packers in sacks with 10.5/11 (depending on where you look) and was the only player to hit double digit sacks for the year.  Peppers also managed to maintain his level of performance from the previous year.  While there was talk about scaling his workload and snap count as he gets older, Peppers only logged 4 less snaps this year, playing a grand total of 805, which ranks 2nd behind Mike Neal.  While both Pepper's tackle and interception numbers went down, Pepper's main duty is rushing the quarterback at this point and it was probably unlikely that Peppers could repeat his 2 INT season last year. 

Grade: B

Player’s contributions to team success:  Pepper's was an integral part of the defense and the primary pass rusher for the Packers.  While I don't recall Peppers getting many sacks on pure speed or bull rushes, Peppers experience, veteran saavy and grit allowed him to get many clean up sacks where the quarterback probably should have thrown the ball earlier.  While Peppers was a liability on defending screen plays and definitely when asked to drop back into coverage (a couple times he's all by himself with no one within 20 yards of him), when he's allowed to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback he's still in the top eschelon.  

Grade: B+

Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  Peppers was largely average in the playoffs, recording a sack against Carson Palmer versus the Cardinals and logging a tackle a piece in each playoff game.  While those aren't bad playoff numbers, they are rather average, especially compared to the games that Mike Neal and Nick Perry had, so an average C grade he gets. 

Grade: C

Intangibles/misc: Peppers has somewhat replaced Charles Woodson as the grizzled veteran that everyone looks up to and realistically has no business being in the NFL at his age.  Just as Woodson lead by example, Peppers has been noted by several teammates for the amazing care he takes in his body and the dilligent work he spends honing his craft.  While there aren't many players who could replicate his level of success and longevity, I think he leads a great example for younger Packers players to follow.  

Grade: B

 

Overall Grade:  B

 
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Comments (34)

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dobber's picture

January 28, 2016 at 05:20 am

"While those aren't bad playoff numbers, they are rather average, especially compared to the games that Mike Neal and Nick Perry had..."

Did the presence of Peppers and CMIII open up the game for Neal and Perry?

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Tundraboy's picture

January 28, 2016 at 06:45 am

Of course.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 28, 2016 at 08:04 am

Several Neal and Perry plays where a result of being unblocked. However Neal does an excellent job sealing the edge against the run, Perry is just a warm body there.

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Evan's picture

January 28, 2016 at 10:03 am

On 2-3 occasions, Perry flat out whipped the Redskin's all-pro LT.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 29, 2016 at 07:38 pm

So did Neal, the guy had a bad day.

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 11:15 am

Sure and it might work the other way around then. It's basically impossible to grade players in terms of team work (for instance did Peppers benefit from a good secondary? Or did the offense do a good job keeping the defense out of bad situations?). Grading is going to have to be pretty much in a vacuum, even though we all know it's anything but.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 28, 2016 at 06:03 am

I hope Julius can put together another season. I would really, really love to see him with the SB ring on his hand...
Also, I think Julius will stay with Packers as assistant coach for linebackers. He started that during that long week when he was spared of practicing...

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 11:20 am

Players transitioning to coaching positions (especially famous ones) are pretty rare to come by. The Packers in particular have a really bad history of star players becoming coaches (Starr, Gregg). Another interesting point is that the guy who developed Peppers into the player he is today is none other than DL coach Mike Trgovac.

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Razer's picture

January 28, 2016 at 06:53 am

Looks like a little free agent dabbling does pay off. I hope that Peppers comes back with another strong season and keeps this defense rising.

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 11:21 am

I think the Packers have a pretty good history under Thompson of getting their moneys worth when it comes to high priced free agents. Sure, there are going to be duds on lower contracts but the two biggest contracts I can think of Thompson signing are Peppers and Woodson and both have probably justified their salaries.

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Ima fubar's picture

January 29, 2016 at 07:33 pm

Wrong. It's a low priced old used up free agent. Ted never ever goes out and gets top talent who have years to contribute. It's cheap ball.

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NickPerry's picture

January 28, 2016 at 07:27 am

I for one hope Peppers comes back. Maybe if TT showed Peppers and others he was willing to do more than make his draft picks, sign UDFA, and go out and get a ILB, TE or both in Free Agency, Peppers comes back and plays as more of a role player. They go into each season wanting to keep the snap count down but he played 4 less snaps this season was all. Peppers can still play so a TE and ILB added in Free Agency could let Ted focus on OLB and DT/DE (Great Year for D-Linemen) and OT. They could also use a RB who has some speed and catches the ball.

DAMN, this team could be SO great with just a few tweaks!!

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:24 am

"Maybe if TT showed Peppers and others he was willing to do more"

Maybe he should start by doing a presser to address the seasons result instead of leaving McCarthy on his own. If my boss did that shit I would find a different boss.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 28, 2016 at 08:17 am

Thought the same exact thing. Besides it is one thing to be a known as someone who holds his cards close to his vest but I can not think of another GM who operates in the background as much as TT. I mean he is a spokesman for the team, right?

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:25 am

In this case it's totally unprofessional.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:44 am

Totally agree.

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Since'61's picture

January 28, 2016 at 12:33 pm

MM is responsible for the on field results so it makes sense that he addresses the media. TT could maybe do a presser on how his draft class performed or maybe why he did or did not draft certain players but he probably would not want to make the team's drafting or personnel philosophy public. He could also address why he did or not sign certain FAs, but the on field results are MMs and he is in a much more knowledgeable position to address the media than TT. Thanks, Since '61

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 28, 2016 at 07:52 pm

Martin Mayhew disagrees with you.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:56 pm

I could hardly disagree more with Since ´61. Of course TT is in part responsible for the end product, just as MM is partly responsible. Indeed, as GM, TT bears ultimate responsibility for all football operations. I do agree that there is little upside to having TT explain the choices he has made in terms of player acquisition. Still, I do think TT needs to be accountable, and probably should face the press and fans.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 29, 2016 at 09:42 am

I agree. Mark Murphy has a higher public profile than TT. Without a single owner, our face falls upon MM,but shouldn't it be ultimately the GM. Worked with Wolf.

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 11:24 am

I don't think Peppers is actively thinking "man I would really love if Thompson picked up a ILB and TE, I would be that much more motivated to play". Peppers is likely thinking "man, I would really love if Thompson didn't cut me with only 1 year left or ask me to take a pay cut" or "man I would love it if Thompson added another year onto my contract" (highly unlikely). In reality players are fully aware they have 0 control of the roster, hell even Mike McCarthy has no control over the roster, what makes you think Peppers could put any pressure on Thompson?

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NickPerry's picture

January 29, 2016 at 06:26 am

I don't know Thomas, you have to wonder how tired the players really get of Thompsons ways, it's not like they'll speak out against him. It's gotta be hard to watch teams get better using every avenue to do so vs having a GM who ignores glaring holes for years in a row! Maybe if Thompson showed Peppers or others he was more willing to use FA for once, it would make things a little harder to want to leave or have others wanting to come and play here, even when Ted "Low Balls" them. I know Peppers wasn't low balled by any means but others who have been reported to visit always leave without a deal or never make it there in the first place. Owen Daniels is an example that comes to mind.

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Evan's picture

January 29, 2016 at 07:12 am

"It's gotta be hard to watch teams get better using every avenue to do so vs having a GM who ignores glaring holes for years in a row!"

I really don't think most players think like that.

I think players care about first and foremost their contract and a distant second would be making it to the playoffs.

I also find it odd that TT has to show Peppers he is willing to use FA when Peppers himself was a FA.

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egbertsouse's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:31 am

I'd lower him to a B- to reflect he games in which he just disappeared.

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 11:25 am

Eh, I think as long as everyone is basically in the same ball park I can't argue.

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Lphill's picture

January 28, 2016 at 02:51 pm

I would welcome him back as a part timer , limit his snaps may be best for him. He has no burst off the ball seems slow at times but still contributes .

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 04:24 pm

I don't think he's ever really shown burst while wearing the Green and Gold. That's not a knock on Peppers, he is 36 after all and it's expected that he'd lose a lot of his quickness at that age. The vast majority of pressure/sacks that Peppers has generated has been through strength and experience.

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EddieLee's picture

January 28, 2016 at 04:15 pm

His production doesn't justify his salary. But, the lack of talent at OLB going into the season made him hard to release. I doubt TT pays Peppers what he is due next season. ($8m) I think he'd rather use that $ to resign Neal and Raji. Or, draft his replacement. Or, maybe Von Miller!

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hobbes's picture

January 28, 2016 at 04:28 pm

I'm pretty sure Miller is off the market via at worst the franchise tag and at the very best by being overpriced by other suitors. Still I don't think $8 million is unrealistic. Matthews comes in on a premium contract at about $13 million a year, while Peppers slots next to Jerry Hughes, Paul Kruger and Connor Barwin; I'd argue that Peppers is a solid 2nd tier outside linebacker.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 28, 2016 at 09:59 pm

I do not think TT could replace Peppers for $8 million. Agree that is the going rate for a decent, somewhat above average OLB like Peppers. I would note that Peppers does generate consistent pressure, which I view as very important.

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Ima fubar's picture

January 29, 2016 at 07:28 pm

He has the all impressive raji who spend 75 % of the game on his face. Mke Daniels who s a so so pass rusher. Neal who takes too dam many lays off teddy boy? Note Ted, none od f the top teams rely of a wide body like raji. They have tall speedy pass rushers aka 4 3 defenses.

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Ima fubar's picture

January 29, 2016 at 07:24 pm

Whey you don't trash a hall of famer. The thing is you've got a 37 year oldguy out performing everyone else Ted. Why fast, tall agile. Not a wide bodie like raji, Daniels who made some plays but their sacks and pressures were non existent.

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Bob Fossil's picture

January 30, 2016 at 01:27 am

Have you been drinking, or do you not understand how a 3-4 defense works? Raji takes up blockers and space. Like a NT in the 3-4 needs to do. Pressures and sacks are a bonus if he provides them.

And Daniels was a baller this year. Showed why he deserved the new contract. Pass rush comes from the OLBs, not necessarily from the line.

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Bob Fossil's picture

January 30, 2016 at 01:34 am

I'd love to see Peppers back. He can still make plays and offers a veteran example to the rest of the players on a team that will likely always trend young.

Hopefully, him coming back would allow Ted Thompson to focus on the other needs this team has right now. But it is time to plan for another pass rusher to compliment Clay if/when he moves back outside.

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