To the delusionsal regarding Pep: Sack stats don't lie!

[top dawg]

Look! Because we have had so many posts about Pep being lazy, taking plays off, being handled by one guy, blah blah blah, I feel the need to shed a little statistical light on his career so far. I guess this can be deemed just another Peppers thread, where you can love him or hate him, but at least it does have some evidence to be judged, and is based on something more than general and/or baseless opinions.

Pep's career stats vs all-time sack leaders

Bruce Smith and Reggie White are in their own class, but Pep has the realistic possibility of reaching and surpassing Kevin Greene, Chris Doleman and Michael Strahan.

Pep has a chance to be a top five sack leader of all time. This is great considering that he has not been used as efficiently as possible in our current defensive schemes, and perhaps the 3-4 (or another aggressive scheme) will allow him to at least match or surpass what he has already done. Actually, if Pep plays nine more years and averages 10 sacks per year (like he already has), he will be tied with Kevin Greene. Even if Pep plays another 7 years, which is reasonable, considering that the leaders have played anywhere from 14-18 years, he will probably catch some of them. He will most likely be a top 10 performer. If the way that that he played last season, along with his desire to reach his full potential, is any indication, then he will be third on the list sooner than that. Moreover, even his tackles are in the same ballpark as some of the other sack leaders.

Pep is not always "in the play", I admit, but who is? Really? Some plays are not going to come his way, and sometimes he is going to be handled by the opposition (just as any player is). But, just because you don't hear his name called does not mean he isn't making a contribution as has been attested to by some of his very important teammates. Furthermore, in my estimation, a lot of Pep's supposed lack of productivity due to exaggerated expectations is the fault of the coaches and/or the defensive schemes that are called during the games.

Stats don't lie. Even when you compare the first seven years of the leaders' careers, you will find that Pep's numbers are pretty much in line with everyone not named Smith and White. Now, of course if you feel that Pep should be putting up Smith and White numbers, then maybe you have a valid argument, but you should also take into account the different defensive coaching and philosophy. Even still, his numbers are higher than most, and his productivity is not the kind to be dumped on.

This is my last word on Pep's performance. I am one of those who would like to see him stay, hate that he has to leave, but understands that business is business. Overall, I just don't think that it's intellectually honest to dump on Pep because of his play because, barring injury, he will probably be one of the all time greats before his NFL days come to an end. After all of this, if you still fail to appreciate what Peppers has done, then no one can tell you anything more about him that will change your mind. You're just hatin', pure and simple.

[panthers55]

If Peppers plays nine more years at the same level he will be 38. Any DEs in the league at 38??? Didn't think so.

Using your logic, if he plays 20 more years he will easily surpass everyone in sacks. C'mon now he will only be 49. Not too old, right??

[Jangler]

I don't think he will play another 7 years to catch Strahan.

[Panthro]

What ever your smokin must either be the greatest stuff ever or lined with PCP...im going with the latter

[SCP]

Sacks are over rated. I'm a Peppers fan and appreciate what he did for us.

14 sacks in a season shows that he played some serious ball on 14 plays. He probably played in 25-35 plays per game over this 16 game season (I don't count the Cards game because he didn't even suit up for that game.). That's around 480 plays on defense. How many of those plays did he make a difference on. For $17 million, that number better be around 240 of those plays. I'm not sure it was.

[top dawg]

You guys make no sense.

Even if Pep plays another 7 years, which is reasonable, considering that the leaders have played anywhere from 14-18 years, he will probably catch some of them.

I wouldn't bet against him. I'll put it that way.

[tight lines]

Peppers is one of the greatest atheletes to ever play the game of football.

That said if he had half the desire of Steve Smith he would be one of the greatest defensive ends to ever play the game of football.

[Jangler]

No doubt, he will have a great season next year. And we will have threads saying how great he is on his new team. But it won't be long before he puts up a 3-6 sack season. Cuz his new team doesn't use him correctly.

[rayzor]

Peppers is one of the greatest atheletes to ever play the game of football.

That said if he had half the desire of Steve Smith he would be one of the greatest defensive ends to ever play the game of football.

true

[top dawg]

No doubt, he will have a great season next year. And we will have threads saying how great he is on his new team. But it won't be long before he puts up a 3-6 sack season. Cuz his new team doesn't use him correctly.

That is a possibility, but judging by his career stats it's not probable.

[top dawg]

Peppers is one of the greatest atheletes to ever play the game of football.

That said if he had half the desire of Steve Smith he would be one of the greatest defensive ends to ever play the game of football.

You can say that about lots of guys at lots of positions. That being said, the jury is still out on Pep.

On an off note, hopefully after Smitty's career he will be considered one of the best wide receivers to play the game. Whether we like it or not, he is not yet in that conversation (but that's another thread).

[southcakalac]

I agree with top dawg 100%

[Panthro]

Peppers is one of the greatest atheletes to ever play the game of football.

He's a regular Mike Mamula

[joemac]

No doubt dude is a freakish athlete, but it just seems to me like he doesnt give a f*ck half them time. 14 sacks is decent....i dont want to start kissing his ass or anything. For him to be paid as the highest f*cking paid defensive player of all time, he better make a bigger f*cking difference than what he had.

It is what it is....Pep is gone. We have to deal with it. The draft picks that we get will help to bandaid the wound that some of us will have when he leaves. I will miss him, but I am not gonna cry.