Bill Voth: Eric Washington Says "Peppers Looks Just Like He Did 7 Years Ago" + "Butler Has Matured"

[Saca312]

Bill Voth posted a very interesting article recently on the Panthers website, which included a very nice podcast on our D-line. What was very surprising was how Washington believes Peppers looks as good as he did 7 years ago as far as how dynamic he is.

That shouldn't be taken lightly.

Read/hear what Eric Washington has to say in the below:

http://m.panthers.com/news/article-2/Eric-Washington-Julius-looks-like-he-did-7-years-ago/a82d243c-6e0b-4111-8008-eb25d55034a7

Quote

"Julius looks like he did seven years ago when I had the first opportunity to coach him," Washington said this week on the Panthers Podcast. "He still looks like he's a dynamic player. The combination of his size and the ability to move - I don't see a lot that's changed with him. He's aged extremely well."

En route to the Hall of Fame, Peppers' 143.5 sacks leads current players and he's fought off Father Time by reaching at least seven sacks in each of the past four seasons.

On the other side of the age spectrum, there's defensive tackle Vernon Butler, who was born the summer Peppers started high school.

The soft-spoken Butler had a mostly quiet 2016, totaling 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. But most first-year defensive linemen start slowly, and an ankle sprain that cost Butler six games further took the shine off the first-round pick.

"Like all rookies, Vernon was just trying to figure out how to get to the practice field," Washington said. "This spring, I think Vernon has matured. I think he realizes that he's expected to be productive, and I think his approach - how he's approached the offseason workouts, what he's done on the grass so far, there's a huge difference now as opposed to a year ago."

 

Thoughts?

[therealmjl]

Yesssssssssss

[Captain Morgan]

first thing to come to mind is how quickly Vernon has been forgotten by our fans.  Being a non-starter and injured will do that, but he could make an impact this year.

Just because Shaq and Vernon haven't racked up impressive stats yet, keep in mind as they see the field more, there is a reason they were first round picks.

[Jesse]

Just a fluff piece. More than a production standpoint, I hope Butler can stay healthy all year. There's always some studs that just fall off due to injuries; I don't want Vernon Butler to be one of those guys. 

[imminent rogaine]

How the hell am I going to walk to my car with this rager I've got?

[Nails]

Again Peppers WAS the Packers D.  The other 31 are screwed, pure and simple.  Just gotta keep he and CJ HEALTHY come January.

[Daddy_Uncle]

Easy to say that at this point in the offseason

[TheSpecialJuan]

cool beans

[ncfan]

Water is wet.

 

Butler started to show a little promise towards the end of the season. Remember KK didn't show much at all his rook season then started to show year 2 before blowing up.

KK rookie- played 16 games started 0. 18 tackles 1.5 sacks

Butler- played 10 started 0, 5 tackles 1.5 sacks

 

 

 

 

Pep is a Freak. He's old but Still more athletic than a Lot of guys in this league. Big thing is he has matured. Really think he has one last big hoorah this year here. He is better fit for a 4-3 hands down DE anyways (kinda similar to Jarred Allen struggling in the Chicago 3-4)

 

Sent using the amazing CarolinaHuddle mobile app

 

 

 

 

[Pimpdaddy]

Fake news...

[Jeremy Igo]

Incorrect, he has longer hair now.

 

Boom, roasted.

[L-TownCat]

57 minutes ago, Jesse said:

Just a fluff piece. More than a production standpoint, I hope Butler can stay healthy all year. There's always some studs that just fall off due to injuries; I don't want Vernon Butler to be one of those guys. 

A coach giving candid answers is far from fluff.  There's plenty of fluff coming but this ain't it.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I like Butler and think he is going to take a step forward.  Everyone  can not be bigger than life stars in the first year.  He will be ok.  

[Hogmolliesmaht]

9 minutes ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

I like Butler and think he is going to take a step forward.  Everyone  can not be bigger than life stars in the first year.  He will be ok.  

It's very rare for a DT to be a star in year one, especially when the guy was playing injured for half the season. It's absolutely ridiculous that some people have already written Butler  off as a bust.