Peppers signs with the Bears (updated - again)

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Alexander "slimmed down" to about 275 last year to play DE, so he wouldn't have much to lose to fit into the LB mold.

I've always been a fan of those who are rarely decorated, will do what it takes to deliver results

[SOUL-SKINS]

Peppers’ representatives met with Bears over weekend
Posted: March 2nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Aaron Kampman, Chicago Bears, Julius Peppers, Philadelphia Eagles

Representatives for defensive end Julius Peppers met with the Bears over the weekend, according to a report from Chicago Breaking Sports News.

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported last week that the Bears are expected to make a huge push to sign Peppers. But it will cost a lot. Peppers was seeking $40 million in guaranteed money from the Panthers. La Canfora also reports that the Bears could be targeting Packers free-agent Aaron Kampman if Peppers falls through.

The Eagles are also reportedly targeting Peppers.


I really don't see us signing him.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by SOUL-SKINS

Peppers’ representatives met with Bears over weekend
Posted: March 2nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Aaron Kampman, Chicago Bears, Julius Peppers, Philadelphia Eagles

Representatives for defensive end Julius Peppers met with the Bears over the weekend, according to a report from Chicago Breaking Sports News.

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported last week that the Bears are expected to make a huge push to sign Peppers. But it will cost a lot. Peppers was seeking $40 million in guaranteed money from the Panthers. La Canfora also reports that the Bears could be targeting Packers free-agent Aaron Kampman if Peppers falls through.

The Eagles are also reportedly targeting Peppers.


I really don't see us signing him.

The Bears save us again! I so don't want this guy.

[MTK]

He makes more sense for the Bears, but let's be honest, if the Skins want him, they will get him. It's not going to be about some team "saving" the Skins from themselves, whatever that really means.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

London Fletcher is a one time pro bowl alternate. Michael Vick is a 2 or 3 time pro bowler. Honestly pro bowl selections are overrated.

That is because for a few years Michael Vick was a better player than Fletcher.

Vick was a legitimate MVP candidate.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

If by chance he did come here, the talk of moving him to an outside linebacker position is insane IMO . First I can't imagine him playing in space, or being on the plus side of thirty embracing a new and totally diferent position.

There's talk of moving other players to unfamaliar positions with the idea in mind of utilizing the 3-4 as the base defense, some of these concepts have me scratching my head.

Peppers has been wanting to go to a 3-4 for the last couple of years. He wants to be able to stand and rush the QB. However, he hates dropping in coverage. So he has a problem with just about any D you put him in, unless you allow him to stand and rush 100% of the time. Peppers is VERY VERY athletic and if he gave 100% on the field and off the field he would be one of the best OLB in the league. However, Peppers just doesn't have the motivation to play 100% all the time.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

if we end up going 3-4, i think we'll do everything we can to trade Carter.

Carter has experience in the 3-4, played pretty decent in it at San Fran. I am not sure how he would be used in the 3-4 here, as an OLB or DE, but I think he would be productive. Again however, Orakpo is the focus of the D and he has to be the guy applying the pressure mostly, so I am leary of using Carter on the OLB position as he would be beaten unmercifully in coverage. I think we have a lot of questions about this D and little answers right now.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

No, there's no way. They'd both come a lot, obviously, but both would be used in combination coverage schemes, particularly with covering blocking backs in man to man coverage and zone coverage in the hook-curl zone. I'd imagine Peppers is more of a raw talent compared to Orakpo, who is more of a strength-technique game. No idea who would play on which side, but a 3-4 defense does really need to be able to apply pressure from either side.

The Cowboys sucked at defense for a long time despite Ware being a rather raw phenom. When Spencer finally became a threat, their defense got really good, really quick.

None of this is to suggest that Carter/Alexander/Wilson aren't capable of being that threat on the other side at 20% of the cost of Peppers. I'm not sold on Peppers, but he'd be (if not Kampman) the guy in the front seven to go for in free agency, if anyone.

I have said for the last couple of years that I would give Wilson a shot. I think he is a perfect fit for the OLB in a 3-4 base defense. When the guy gets on the field, which isn't a ton, he always seems to be around the QB.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I agree with you on Wilson. He's done whatever's been asked of him here, and 3-4 OLB seems like the best place for him. Right now, Wilson-Fletcher-Dansby-Orakpo would be my starting ideal starting LB lineup.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

What about Rocky? We just put a tender on him and let him go for a pick or 2 if we are lucky. Rocky, fletch, Dansby, Rak sounds better to me than having Wilson on the "Weak side".

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

Carter has experience in the 3-4, played pretty decent in it at San Fran. I am not sure how he would be used in the 3-4 here, as an OLB or DE, but I think he would be productive. Again however, Orakpo is the focus of the D and he has to be the guy applying the pressure mostly, so I am leary of using Carter on the OLB position as he would be beaten unmercifully in coverage. I think we have a lot of questions about this D and little answers right now.

Umm no, carter did not play good in the 3-4, thats why he came here to be in the 4-3/San Fran didn't want to resign him when he became a FA, because he didn't fit their plans. Carters even said "I'm better when my hands on the ground, in a 3 point stance"

[BigHairedAristocrat]

i certainly think we're asking for problems if we have both carter and haynesworth playing positions they have no desire to play. in theory, i like the 3-4, but i think we're not going to get good production from carter or haynesworth if thats our base defense.

[MTK]

There are many variations of the 3-4, just because Carter didn't play well in SF's scheme it doesn't mean he can't succeed here.

I still don't understand the assumption that AH #1 doesn't want to play the nose, and #2 wouldn't be successful doing so. It's not like he wouldn't also play DE as well depending on the situation.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

There are many variations of the 3-4, just because Carter didn't play well in SF's scheme it doesn't mean he can't succeed here.

I still don't understand the assumption that AH #1 doesn't want to play the nose, and #2 wouldn't be successful doing so. It's not like he wouldn't also play DE as well depending on the situation.

That makes sense. Just because Albert is listed as the nose doesn't mean he won't be playing nose and both DE spots depending on the situation. Also, Haslett has coached a 4-3 as well so it sounds like we will be playing some of that too.

The biggest thing that I am happy to hear is that the defense will be more complex which Phat Al should be happy about. There is no more "Ok, you are a DT in a 4-3 and you are in charge of your gaps, end of story". We have some dynamic players in our front 7 and it sounds like we want one or two more. So lets customize the defense to our players strengths instead of forcing the players to fit in the scheme.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

There are many variations of the 3-4, just because Carter didn't play well in SF's scheme it doesn't mean he can't succeed here.

I still don't understand the assumption that AH #1 doesn't want to play the nose, and #2 wouldn't be successful doing so. It's not like he wouldn't also play DE as well depending on the situation.

You are correct in hesitating on that. No one really knows.

But since AH complained of being restricted by Blache's scheme, and since most nose tackle jobs are more restrictive still, I have supposed that he would be unhappy in the role.

Then again, some 3-4 nose tackles play a more penetrating style and are not expected to be cloggers. If we play him that way, he may be happy.

As for Carter, he flat-out said that he wants his hand on the ground. Given this and his history in SF, I find it hard to foresee him flourishing in any 3-4 set-up which Haslett might concoct.