"For the past few offseasons, it was difficult to say the name Julius Peppers without linking it to the Patriots. Coach Bill Belichick's respect for the elite pass-rusher was no secret, and his team extended a multi-year offer when Peppers finally left the Panthers.

That allowed minds to wander. Imaginations ran wild and crazy.

What if Belichick obtained another elite pass-rusher who also happened to be a No. 2 overall pick from North Carolina? Would he utilize Peppers like he once used Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor?

"Right now I just admire what he's done for the Bears," said Belichick, sidestepping the question like Peppers does to offensive tackles. "I think he'd add a lot to any team. He was a problem at Carolina. He's a problem in Chicago."

The Patriots will see that on Sunday at Soldier Field. Peppers signed with the Bears for six years and roughly $92 million with $42 million guaranteed. Chicago began recruiting him at "12:01 a.m. (on March 5)," coach Lovie Smith said, and it worked.

Now displaying his rare mix of size, speed and strength and basketball-style athleticism for Chicago, Peppers was all smiles about his call.

"I really don't think anything could be any better right now," he said.

While the questions about Peppers' ceiling under Belichick will almost certainly remain unanswered, the task is different now. The Patriots simply need to stop him."