Florio goes in on Peppers

[Dpantherman]

Peppers calls criticism of his motivation "nitpicking"

Posted by Mike Florio on March 17, 2010 9:17 PM ET

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers has heard the criticism of his motivation, his drive, his will to be great.

His response? "Sometimes in your career, people have to nitpick about things because they have nothing else to say," Peppers told The Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. "They can't say there's a lack of production, or anything else, but a lack of motivation. That's the thing people try to nitpick at."

So was it nitpicking when Peppers had only 2.5 sacks in 2007? Was it nitpicking when Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer looked at every defensive snap in the Panthers' first three games, during which Peppers had only one sack, and concluded that Peppers faced a lone blocker 75 percent of the time and still couldn't win his matchups?

And was it nitpicking when Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said during a radio interview that he plans to ask Peppers to step his game up? "The pressure is what you want to see -- the intensity," Beason said about Peppers, and Beason said he planned to tell Peppers, "I need everything you've got."

Frankly, we recall no "nitpicking" of men like Reggie White, who averaged 13.75 sacks per season over a 14-year period.

Look at it this way. If Peppers was as good as he thinks he is, the Panthers would have paid him the same $20 million this year that the Bears will pay instead. And if the Bears' front office weren't desperate to do something/anything to get back to the postseason in order to save everyone's job, Peppers wouldn't have gotten $20 million this year from anyone.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/17/peppers-calls-criticism-of-his-motivation-nitpicking/

wow

[SorthNarolina]

good write up.

[Kevin Greene]

Me likey.

[Nicbsbll2]

Lmao

[Lumps]

Didn't Peppers say that he didn't resign because of 6 million dollars over a seven year period after being offered to be the highest paid defensive player?

Now that's nitpicking.

No hate for Pep don't really care, but a player who isn't motivated is a big problem for a team.

[necroplasm]

So was it nitpicking when Peppers had only 2.5 sacks in 2007? Was it nitpicking when Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer looked at every defensive snap in the Panthers' first three games, during which Peppers had only one sack, and concluded that Peppers faced a lone blocker 75 percent of the time and still couldn't win his matchups?

hmm lol

[ACobra289]

Fact: Peppers couldn't carry Reggie White's jock.

That is all.

[Swarly]

Fact: Peppers couldn't carry Reggie White's jock.

That is all.

He doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Reggie White.

[necroplasm]

Best article I have read by Florio. That's not saying too much but it's really good.

[Cyberjag]

I don't care if Peppers is all-universe or not, Brown's going to beat his 2007 production. And in 2007, our defense was the 16th best in the league. That's nothing to write home about, but it isn't catastrophic either.

[holderoftruth]

Peppers is saying everything right to make most Chicago fans jizz themselves, but when Sundays roll around his inconsistent play will come out.

[Snake]

Peppers can say what he wants but everyone knows that the only player less motivated then him on the field is JaMarcus Russell.

[Davidson Deac II]

Fact: Peppers couldn't carry Reggie White's jock.

That is all.

Not many defensive ends can. Bruce Smith is the only one I can think of thats even close.

[Davidson Deac II]

I don't care if Peppers is all-universe or not, Brown's going to beat his 2007 production. And in 2007, our defense was the 16th best in the league. That's nothing to write home about, but it isn't catastrophic either.

You don't think Brown is going to have more than 2.5 sacks? He nearly beat Peppers 2007 numbers this year in limited playing time. Tied him in sacks, and only had 8 less tackles. I don't think Brown is going to be a probowler, but he will certainly beat 2.5 sacks and 30 tackles unless he gets injured.