An interesting quote (Re: the effort question)

[MaineManPanther]

Those are short quotes that could've easily have been taken out of context. I think people are looking into them way to much.

What I also don't quite understand is if Peppers was so notorious for taking plays off, how come we've never heard of one single player mention one single word about it ever (besides Buckner). Gross, Beason and Harris all mentioned that they wanted him back and that it was important.

Also, Id think with guys like Richardson, Fox, and Hurney, that if Peppers was really as lazy as everybody says that they wouldn't offer him such a huge historic contract.

[stankowalski]

In light of statements like this...

Is it fair for to question the amount of effort Peppers gave on the field as a Panther?

Based on anonymous message board posts and quotes thrown in an article with no source named? Sure, why not?

Do these statements confirm or conflict with what you've seen watching Peppers play?

I've seen Peppers make a tackle coming from the other side of the field. Besides that I haven't seen Peppers lay down on the field like some of you have, I missed those games apparently. Who makes plays on every play? Nobody, that's who.

Which type of player would you rather have on your team?

- Highly talented / moderately motivated

- Highly motivated / moderately talented

I'd prefer highly talented/highly motivated, but that's a rare bird.

[OneBadassCat]

- Highly talented / moderately motivated

- Highly motivated / moderately talented

I would take a Chris Harris at every position. But this makes me wonder, Peppers got 14.5 sacks this year and he wasn't really trying? Imagine what he could do if he gave his all.

[stankowalski]

Admitting that Peppers isn't highly motivated, Stan? Or falling back on your "everyone does it, so there's nothing wrong with it" pseudo argument?

Sure, why hold Peppers to a higher standard than everyone else? I've never said Peppers didn't have motivational problems. I've never said he does either. I don't know him personally and neither does anyone else on here. You'd be hard pressed to get me to believe unnamed sources and random message board posters. On the other hand if someone that played with him says it, I'll evaluate it on a person by person basis. Not everyone is honest and some people have ulterior motives. If a player like Rucker, Minter, Smitty, or Delhomme (I may question his play but not his honesty) says Peppers is lazy or whatever, I'm probably going to change my mind on this...until then, no dice.

[Fireball77]

I would never ever expect or want a current teammate to say something like that. Or even a former teammate currently in the NFL. I do trust what Rucker and Minter say, but I am not sure if they would ever say that even if it were true. They might imply it a bit in a read between the lines type of way, but say it right out? Probably not. I don't agree with Buckner a whole bunch, but I do think he says what HE believes with no varnish. So you're probably pretty sure of not getting what you want on that score (minus Buckner) SK.

[stankowalski]

I would never ever expect or want a current teammate to say something like that. Or even a former teammate currently in the NFL. I do trust what Rucker and Minter say, but I am not sure if they would ever say that even if it were true. They might imply it a bit in a read between the lines type of way, but say it right out? Probably not. I don't agree with Buckner a whole bunch, but I do think he says what HE believes with no varnish. So you're probably pretty sure of not getting what you want on that score (minus Buckner) SK.

If a former or present player actually thought that Peppers wasn't giving the team the effort he should be giving, i.e. taking plays off, then that player is as bad or worse than Peppers by allowing a team mate to coast. Especially under the current circumstances where Peppers is saying that he can't reach his potential here. If he IS taking play offs and says something like this, I'd hope that someone would point out that HE is the one holding himself back, NOT the team or the team's schemes.

[manwithcake]

If a former or present player actually thought that Peppers wasn't giving the team the effort he should be giving, i.e. taking plays off, then that player is as bad or worse than Peppers by allowing a team mate to coast. Especially under the current circumstances where Peppers is saying that he can't reach his potential here. If he IS taking play offs and says something like this, I'd hope that someone would point out that HE is the one holding himself back, NOT the team or the team's schemes.

No player or coach would ever say this even it were true while the possibility still exists that Pep will be on the team next year.

[MaineManPanther]

Didn't Smith call out Jarret? And didn't delhomme mention before the season that it was good that some players (didn't mention who) were off the team?

I'd have to imagine that leaders on our team, especially players like Smith, Beason, and Harris would've spoke out or at the very least spoke to the coaches if they thought Peppers was slacking.

What real proof do we have that Peppers took plays off?

[stankowalski]

No player or coach would ever say this even it were true while the possibility still exists that Pep will be on the team next year.

Alright, let's say we trade him and no players corroborate these imaginings posted on this board...then is it safe to say that everyone here is full of poo?

On the other hand if players say that he was lazy, took plays off, etc. then I'll certainly be persuaded to your side.

I'm not going to believe some emo would-be scorned posters on this or any other board.

[Carolina890]

In light of statements like this...

Is it fair for to question the amount of effort Peppers gave on the field as a Panther?

Do these statements confirm or conflict with what you've seen watching Peppers play?

Which type of player would you rather have on your team?

- Highly talented / moderately motivated

- Highly motivated / moderately talented

I would appreciate it if you didn't word your questions like an English test...I deal with poo like that all day. lol

But for real, I would rather have a highly talented AND highly motivated player.

[Stickman2]

At the NFL level, effort and results must match.

It is also, stating the obvious, a team sport.

Team Leaders, which Peppers has never really been it seems, can really affect, positively or negatively the play around them.

I'd rather follow the Pats systems, of spot interchangeable players, with core leaders who have both talent and drive. It is, a franchise to be respected, don't know whether it luck, or by design; but, what's the old saying, 'the harder I work the luckier I get'; have to give that group all the credit in the world; their all pro QB goes down and they take a kid who never started, anywhere, and he becomes a franchise player.

I remember Deacon Jones talking about Peppers one time, and basically saying 'the boy doesn't have the 'want to' as with his god given talent, he should be a constant force in every game'.

Peppers does not have that in my opinion, the 'want to', not now, and not for the past several years. Why, who knows..be it him, the system, whatever.

Maybe, he wants to go to a team with a bigger stage and more stars so that the spolight is not so much on him, I don't know.

I honestly hope we can trade him better for us, and paying him $1 million a game, he's not worth that.

We'll see what the rest of the league really thinks of him in the next 60 days or so.

Dont this say something about the coaches. Surely they know Peppers takes plays off. How can they not motivate him to get the BEST out of thier highly priced player

[manwithcake]

Alright, let's say we trade him and no players corroborate these imaginings posted on this board...then is it safe to say that everyone here is full of sh*t?

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

On the other hand if players say that he was lazy, took plays off, etc. then I'll certainly be persuaded to your side.

I don't have a "side." I simply don't think any players or coaches are gonna publicly criticize Peppers because it would do no good.

[Fox007]

So lets say this is true, shouldn't you be mad at the Panthers organization for wanting to resign, and admit to wanting to have Peppers around?

You get mad at Peppers for taking plays off, but it is ok for the team to want to have a player that takes plays off, and actively try to keep his services?

What does that really say about the franchise?

(then again it looks like Fox takes entire games off sometimes)

[stankowalski]

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Absence of proof = not guilty

I don't have a "side." I simply don't think any players or coaches are gonna publicly criticize Peppers because it would do no good.

It sure sounds like you have a side. You aren't making any arguments as to why these slanderous comments should not be accepted at face value. You seem to be willing to side with the negative nancies by making statements such as the one quote above this one.