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Julius Peppers News & Rumors

Beyond Peppers
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"While Julius Peppers was named NFC defensive player of the month for November on Wednesday, the rest of the Bears' season largely hinges on how his defensive linemates perform down the stretch. Peppers had two sacks Sunday in a 25-20 loss in Oakland, giving him four for the month and eight for the season. That matches his 2010 production after he was signed to the largest contract in franchise history to re-charge Lovie Smith's defense with a fierce edge-rushing presence."
Peppers wins NFC honor for second straight November
December 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"For the second straight year and third time in his career, Julius Peppers has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November. The Chicago Bears defensive end won the award last November and while playing for the Carolina Panthers in November 2004, and also was honored for his play in October of 2006 with the Panthers. In four November games this season, Peppers had six tackles, four sacks, one tackle for loss, 10 quarterback pressures and three pass break ups. His four sacks were tied for most in the NFC and his 33 sack yards led the conference."
Peppers at defensive tackle intriguing
November 18
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Julius Peppers is such a special athlete he probably could moonlight anywhere and help the Bears in spots. But he could be a difference-maker at defensive tackle. Anyone who watched the defensive end slide inside Sunday against the Lions would agree. On four plays as a three technique, or under tackle, Peppers had a sack, a quarterback hit and a pressure."
Julius Peppers sits out practice, but expected to face Chargers
November 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers was held out of practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from an MCL sprain in his left knee. Peppers didn't finish last Sunday's win over Detroit, and he's been limited in practices since suffering the injury. Peppers didn't practice last Wednesday or Thursday but still turned in a dominant effort against the Lions."
Peppers bounces back quickly after hurting knee
November 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Julius Peppers limped off the field in the first half, it looked like the Bears defensive end's left knee took another serious blow. But this was the same Peppers who sprained the MCL in the same knee in a Week 5 loss at Detroit then played the very next game. So it was only appropriate that Peppers re-entered Monday night's game shortly after exiting and immediately sacked Michael Vick. "My foot just got caught up under the pile and twisted the knee a little bit," Peppers said. "The knee is still healing. It's not 100 percent yet. I think it probably looked worse than it actually was. But I didn't get it too bad.""
Injured Bears DE Peppers will suit up against Vikings
October 16
NFL.com
 
"Chicago defensive end Julius Peppers will suit up for the Bears' Sunday night showdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Peppers, who previously was listed doubtful, sprained his left knee during the Bears' Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions and did not practice all week."
Julius Peppers downgraded to doubtful for game vs. Vikings
October 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Even when Julius Peppers isn't making a big impact, his redeeming value to the Bears is that he's still Julius Peppers — as long as he's on the field, an offense has to account for the fact that he could erupt at any time. A quiet Peppers or an injured Peppers is better than no Peppers, which the Bears found out the hard way on Monday night. When Peppers left the game against the Detroit Lions for one play after he sprained his knee, Matt Stafford, dropping seven steps out of a shotgun snap, stepped up and threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. Now the Bears face the possibility of playing without Peppers for an entire game. Coach Lovie Smith purposefully opened his"
Rematch triggers painful memory
October 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Matthew Stafford watched it once, before the Lions played the Bears for a second time last December. Jeff Backus studied it like he does every play. Assess what happened and move on. Jim Schwartz saw it three times -- live, the next day on film and like Stafford again in December -- and he doesn't care to relive Julius Peppers separating his quarterback's throwing shoulder again. "We don't obsess over things like that," Schwartz said Wednesday."
Peppers on the Panthers: 'Just another game to me'
September 29
Charlotte Observer
 
"Julius Peppers won't be lacking for self-esteem anytime soon: Wednesday his coach called him "the most talented player in the NFL.'' Assuming that's true, how best does a coach exploit the many gifts the former Carolina Panthers defensive end offers? It's been over a year since Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears, and coach Lovie Smith is still amazed by what he sees. He has figured this much out: The danger in coaching the guy is becoming so infatuated with his versatility that you forget why you awarded him that massive contract. "You have to keep in mind what's the best thing (he does) and that's rush the passer. It's a good thing for the opponent if we don't have him rushing,'' said"
Julius Peppers: Sky is the limit for Bears' defensive line
August 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Julius Peppers played on some special defensive lines with the Carolina Panthers. But he really likes the potential of his unit with the 2011 Bears. "I think it could be a great one," he said. "If everybody continues to work and learn like we have been doing, I think the skies the limit for this group because we have so much depth and so many guys that can play." While the Bears did lose Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris, the club is confident in the players they retained and are prepared to step into the spotlight. They re-signed veteran Anthony Adams, but they expect Henry Melton to make a name for himself, and they also are optimistic that Matt Toeaina will also become a force. In"
Bears' Peppers named 10th-best NFL player of 2011
July 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Peppers was named the 10th-best player in the NFL according to the NFL Network's top-100 poll of 415 players. On Sunday, the top 10 was revealed, with Patriots QB Tom Brady taking the top spot followed by Colts QB Peyton Manning. Three other Bears joined Peppers on the top 100 list: Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester was No. 32 while linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs checked in at No. 49 and No. 92 respectively."
Numbers show Peppers earned his salary
March 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"In eight of the nine drafts Jerry Angelo has run with the Bears, the team has selected a defensive end. The only time the Bears did not was 2005, when they used their third-round pick in a trade for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. So it stands to reason that Corey Wootton, last year's selection in the fourth round, should expect competition to be on the way. When you look at the regular season playing time statistics from 2010, it's apparent the Bears need someone to step forward, whether it's a veteran or a newcomer. According to numbers provided by an NFL source, defensive end Julius Peppers was on the field for 87.9 percent of the Bears' defensive snaps last season, earning the $20"
Bears restructure Peppers' contract
March 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago Bears have restructured Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers' contract to create more salary-cap room for next season. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the move Thursday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced it. ESPNChicago.com was the first to report the restructure. Peppers signed a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million a year ago, was due a $10.5 million roster bonus for next season. Instead, the team exercised its right to convert that money into a signing bonus and prorate it over the remaining years of his contract, which runs through the 2015 season."
Bears' Peppers fined $10,000 for hit on Rodgers
January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Pepper will have to use some of the money he earns Sunday in the Pro Bowl to offset the hefty fine he has received from the NFL. The Chicago Bears defensive end was fined $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field. A 15-yard penalty was called on the play."
Peppers, Matthews will try to set tone on defense
January 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"One wears a fade hairstyle or occasionally shaves his head close to bald. The other lets his golden locks dangle from the back of his helmet in a fashion annoying to some yet appealing to others. One caused teams to salivate as the most heavily sought free agent on the market last offseason. The other was practically ignored coming out of high school and walked on at USC. Ninth-year Bears defensive end Julius Peppers versus second-year Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews: superstar versus rising star. "The great ones, they recognize each other, and I can recognize that in him,'' Peppers said of Matthews. "Even though he's a young player, I see the potential for greatness. You don't"
Brian Urlacher rivals Julius Peppers as Bears' defensive MVP
January 23
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Julius Peppers is a deserving candidate for NFL defensive player of the year. But you can make a strong case that Brian Urlacher has been at least as valuable to the Bears. According to coaches' statistics, Urlacher accounted for 14 percent of the team's tackles this season, compared with 5 percent for Peppers. Of course, Urlacher is supposed to make more tackles because of his position. Peppers is supposed to make more impact plays, and he has. But Urlacher has made a lot as well. When you combine sacks with tackles for a loss, Urlacher has made 15 plays in the opponent's backfield (four sacks, 11 tackles for a loss), compared with 14 for Peppers (eight sacks, six tackles for a loss)."
Marinelli played key role in luring Peppers to Bears
January 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"It might have been the toughest double team Julius Peppers ever faced. Recalling the March night when the Bears made their sales pitch to him in the lobby of Charlotte's Wilson Air Center, Peppers noted how coach Lovie Smith mentioned the Super Bowl during the conversation. As impressed as he was with Smith, Peppers was equally moved by the man sitting next to Smith: defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. "Lovie did most of the talking, but Coach Marinelli talked some football,'' Peppers said. "He talked about how he could help me develop my game and help me become the player that I wanted to become.'' Peppers was sold on Smith's demeanor and Marinelli's passion. He credited Marinelli for"
Bears thrilled with Peppers' production
January 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"When he was introduced as a Bear, Julius Peppers admitted double-digit sacks would be a logical goal. The standout defensive end concluded the regular season with eight — the third time in nine seasons he has finished with less than 10. Is he disappointed? Not exactly. "I feel great with eight sacks, a division title and a first-round (playoff) bye,'' Peppers said. "And I'm even more excited to be closer to the ultimate goal. That's the main reason I came here … to have that (Super Bowl) opportunity. And I feel good about my contributions to this defense.'' Teammate Brian Urlacher lobbied for Peppers as NFL's defensive player of the year, and Peppers received a nice $200,000 bonus for"
Pro Bowl for Hester, Peppers, Urlacher, Briggs
December 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Kick returner Devin Hester, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs will represent the Bears at the 2011 Pro Bowl. It's the sixth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance for Briggs, who joins Dick Butkus (eight), Bill George (eight) and Mike Singletary (10) as the only linebackers in Bears history to go to at least six in a row."
Hester, Peppers, Briggs and Urlacher selected for Pro Bowl
December 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"The NFC North champion Bears produced four Pro Bowl players on the initial roster the NFL released Tuesday night. The sweeping changes that often happen to the all-star team will affect final results, but right now three defensive stars and record-setting return man Devin Hester have been selected for the game. Defensive end Julius Peppers, linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs and Hester were picked while special teams ace Corey Graham, who has 24 tackles, was snubbed."
Peppers has eyes on Super Bowl, not Pro Bowl
December 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Peppers isn't planning to play in the Pro Bowl even if he is selected to the NFC roster. No, Peppers is not injured. And he's not upset about the venue being moved from Miami back to Honolulu. "My goal is to be playing in the Super Bowl,'' Peppers explained. "If that's the goal, we won't even get to go to Hawaii anyway. We'll be practicing for a bigger game.'' Peppers is expected to be one of at least three Bears named to the Jan. 30 Pro Bowl when the rosters are revealed at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the NFL Network. Peppers, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, and returner Devin Hester led the NFC fan vote at their respective positions."
Peppers finds a strong voice
December 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Wearing a No. 90 Bears jersey and a smile that spread across Dave and Buster's, 11-year-old Javon Jackson was awestruck as he stood next to Julius Peppers. "How tall are you?" Javon inquired. In the eyes of Javon and the 11 other boys there from Big Brothers Big Sisters, the 6-foot-7, 283-pound defensive end seemed larger than life. Their mesmerized looks had plenty to do with the $100,000 check Peppers presented to Big Brothers Big Sisters as part of his personal initiative, "Game Plan for Life." And their emotions were triggered by how frankly the usually reserved Peppers spoke. The 12 boys are part of the organization's Metro Chicago agency that services 1,800 children, 95 percent from"
Peppers spices 'D'
December 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Julius Peppers might not win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, not with the seasons Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers and Troy Polamalu of the Steelers are having, but he has been the Bears' defensive MVP. It's not often that a team pays a player $91.5 million and everybody agrees that it was money well spent. "There's no one player in the NFL that affects the game on defense more than he does," linebacker Brian Urlacher said "You look at what he does, the schemes people have to do for him. He pretty much eliminates one side of the field. You have to double him. If you don't double him, it's a sack or you throw the ball quick. So it makes our job easy." It's a rare"
Peppers on sod: 'It cost me a couple of sacks'
December 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Peppers didn't criticize the Soldier Field playing surface flat out like Jay Cutler did Wednesday, but the Bears defensive end did say the home-field grass has affected his play somewhat. "Yeah, I've slipped on it a couple of times," Peppers told the Tribune. "It cost me a couple of sacks already. You just have to be aware of it and adjust accordingly." Peppers has just two of his seven sacks at home. But he wouldn't follow Cutler's lead in calling Soldier Field's the worst surface in the league. "Just because it's slippery ... that just means you have to change your shoes or have better balance," Peppers said. "I'll agree that it's not the most desirable surface to play on but, at"
Urlacher makes pitch for Peppers
December 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Forget all the Clay Matthews talk. There's another player in the NFC North who deserves serious consideration for defensive player of the year, if you ask Brian Urlacher. And the Bears linebacker isn't referring to himself. "Julius Peppers is the league's defensive player of the year. Write that,'' Urlacher said. "You look at Pep, I mean maybe the sacks aren't all the way there yet, but he has the numbers. He gets double-teamed every play. He doesn't have as many sacks as (Matthews) does, but I think he's the guy.'' When told about Urlacher's comments, Peppers couldn't help but smile. "It means a lot coming from him because he was one of the main reasons I came here to play,'' Peppers"
Julius Peppers, Patriots connect again
December 9
Boston Herald
 
"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"
Bears' defense good, but is it Super?
December 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Mark Potash
"It's a simple question on a valid subject -- a ''hot topic'' as linebacker Brian Urlacher called it: Is this Bears' defense better than the 2006 defense that went to the Super Bowl? Too hot for Lovie Smith, who feigned memory loss Thursday when asked a question that barely hinted at a 2006 vs. 2010 comparison. That's Lovie's default mode of avoiding a subject that might require him to ''step out'' with some candor -- like acknowledging that Julius Peppers is a better defensive end than Adewale Ogunleye. But 2006 vs. 2010 is not an idle debate. It highlights a key difference that bodes well for the 2010 Bears: At this point of the season, the 2006 defense was getting worse; the 2010 defense"
Peppers got Lions' QB woes started
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Detroit Lions' quarterback woes this season can be traced back to the end of the first half in the season opener at Soldier Field when Julius Peppers drove Matthew Stafford into the turf, right shoulder first. The carousel turns again for the Lions this week as Drew Stanton, a second-round draft pick in 2007 when Rod Marinelli was the head coach and Mike Martz offensive coordinator, takes over for Shaun Hill, who is out with a fractured right index finger. Stafford is doing light throwing this week as he returns from his second injury to the shoulder this season. So the question for Peppers was does the defense want to be known as one that will knock out opposing passers? "We have a"
Bears' defensive revival centers on Peppers
December 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's an argument sure to fall on deaf ears, but it's one worth making nonetheless: Julius Peppers deserves the honor of being named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Sadly, Peppers is unlikely to be in the conversation when the Associated Press compiles the ballots of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL at the end of the season. Peppers has done everything but produce the statistics needed to support his case. Nonetheless, no player in the NFL has made a bigger impact on his defense or his team than Peppers, who might be the most influential addition to an NFL defense since Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1993. Doubt it? Consider the way the Bears'"
Peppers regards Eagles' QB as NFL's most valuable player
November 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher caught a glimpse of last Monday night's Eagles- Redskins matchup, but the Bears linebacker didn't need to study the game closely to figure out what to expect from Michael Vick. "I'm not amazed with anything he's doing. He's Michael Vick,'' Urlacher said of the Eagles' superstar. "He was doing that before. I think it's just now, he's back in full shape and fully healthy. He's an elite athlete.'' And probably the most dangerous threat this Bears defense will face all season, provided the Giants don't knock Vick out of action during Sunday night's NFC East showdown. "It's not hard to see what he's doing. He's the MVP, in my opinion,'' defensive end Julius Peppers said of Vick."
Peppers lifts Bears defensive line to head of class
November 20
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Julius Peppers had three sacks against the Dolphins Thursday, but a review of the tape shows that was just a part of the destruction he created. Here are some interesting facts about Peppers' dominating performance that were difficult to discern on the first viewing: • Peppers brought down Tyler Thigpen three times in three ways. Once with a speed rush, once by starting with an outside rush and cutting back under and once on a coverage sack. • Without Peppers, it's unlikely the Bears would have had two of their other three sacks. On Henry Melton's, he cut underneath Peppers while trying to run interference for him. As a result, the right tackle overreacted and lunged back at Peppers. With"
Peppers adds sizzle with three sacks
November 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears defensive end Julius Peppers entered Thursday's game tied for 39th in the NFC with just two sacks. That would seem a disappointing return on a player whom the Bears made one of the league's highest-paid defenders, signing him to a contract at the start of free agency that included $42 million in guarantees. But the Bears didn't have any buyer's remorse before the game, and they certainly didn't after one of his most dominant performances. ''He's been doing it all year,'' linebacker Brian Urlacher said. ''People say he hasn't done it because of sacks. But who cares? He gets pressure on the quarterback, and he's been there every game. ''It probably wasn't his best game, but the sacks"
Peppers makes his presence known
November 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Peppers never got too down on himself after going without a sack in the Bears' previous five games. And the star defensive end didn't exactly celebrate his three-sack performance in Thursday night's 16-0 shutout of the Dolphins. "It's still overrated,'' Peppers said of sacks. "It's nice to get them. It's nice to get a couple in the game. But it's even nicer to have that goose egg out there and get the win.'' Peppers entered the game with two sacks but more than doubled his season output against the banged-up Dolphins. Israel Idonije also had a sack, pushing his team-leading total to six. The Bears finished the game with six sacks, with Brian Urlacher and Henry Melton each adding"
Peppers believes sacks will come
November 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"In evaluating the first half of the season for Julius Peppers, it's easy to see how he has made a significant impact on the Bears' pass defense. Consider that opposing quarterbacks have combined for a passer rating of 68.9, second in the NFL behind only the Packers. The Bears aren't getting to the quarterback enough, and they're certainly not finishing plays as often as needed, but they're still tough to throw on and that wasn't the case a year ago when they ranked 25th in opposing passer rating. Still, it's difficult to digest that the prize of free agency is earning $20 million and has just two sacks. The Bears are used to pedestrian pass rushers so when Peppers arrived they were more"
McKinnie to try again vs. Peppers
November 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had a career highlight last season by earning a Pro Bowl spot, but he also had a career lowlight when he was benched after a rough December outing against Julius Peppers. Asked if he's looking forward to the rematch, McKinnie said in an e-mail, ''Hell, yeah.'' The most memorable part of a 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte was the postgame clash between Vikings coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre. But McKinnie struggled against Peppers -- then with the Panthers -- and committed one false start and allowed one sack and several quarterback pressures. ''It was a bad game, and it bothered me,'' McKinnie said. ''I didn't"
Peppers concentrating on 'honor' of playing against Favre
November 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Much was made of how Julius Peppers dominated Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie last season, but Peppers doesn't want to live in the past. His thoughts are focused on Brett Favre. When Peppers' Panthers faced the Vikings last December, he helped send McKinnie to the bench. McKinnie gave up two sacks — one to Peppers — and was whistled for a false start and a hold. "Last year was really my first time playing against him because I was primarily on the left side and he was on the left side,'' Peppers said of McKinnie. "I wouldn't say it was easy. I don't have explanation for what happened. But it was last year. It's a whole new ball game now.'' Peppers, who hasn't had a sack in the last four"
Peppers OK after early exit
November 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Defensive end Julius Peppers only had the wind knocked out of him when he exited in the final minute of the Bears' 22-19 victory over the Bills. Peppers remained down in the end zone for several minutes after he hit the ground. His head appeared to hit first, but Peppers said his exit had nothing to with his head or neck. "It was nothing,'' he said. "I wasn't nervous about it. I just wish I could have stayed in.'' Peppers didn't record a sack Sunday for the fourth consecutive game but still made an impact with four quarterback hits and four tackles, one for a loss."
Peppers in a rush to bounce back from loss
October 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Breaking down film Monday only reinforced what Bears defensive end Julius Peppers already knew about his performance Sunday against the Seahawks. "I've got to rush better, play better," he said. "Everybody has to. I was frustrated because we lost and I didn't think we had enough of a sense of urgency to win that game." Peppers failed to record a sack, but he was held without a sack in three other games this season and still managed to make an impact. That wasn't the case against rookie left tackle Russell Okung and the Seahawks. "It doesn't matter who it is out there because everybody on this level can play," Peppers said, referring to his battles with Okung. "When I was a rookie, I was"
Okung vs. Peppers: It's hush-hush
October 14
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"With all the experience a rookie tackle can gain from 26 snaps in the NFL, Seattle's Russell Okung will be asked on Sunday to block relentless Chicago end Julius Peppers, one of the best in the world at rushing the passer. Typically, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll views this as an opportunity for Okung. Actually, he takes it a step further, out into the realm of "classic" opportunity. Okung suffered a high-ankle sprain early in the second exhibition game of the summer and was sidelined until the Seahawks' game at St. Louis on Oct. 3. He eased back into it by playing in the first half against the Rams. And now, he faces the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Peppers, a five-time Pro Bowl player who joined"
Peppers helps quiet Panthers offense in his return to Charlotte
October 11
Gaston Gazette
 
"To many Carolina Panthers' fans, Julius Peppers' show of emotion as he helped his new team, the Chicago Bears, roll to a convincing 23-6 victory had to be infuriating. After all, Peppers was often criticized by even the most ardent Panthers' supporters for being too passive or failing to maximize the wondrous talents of his 6-foot-7, 283-pound body – or both. But in Sunday's victory, Peppers twice motioned to Bank of America Stadium fans who booed his every tackle by motioning them to be quiet. Afterwards, Peppers said his actions were all in fun. Besides, there were some cheers for the former football and basketball star at the University of North Carolina who spent his first"
Boos all around for Peppers, winless Panthers
October 11
Charlotte Observer
 
"They came to boo Julius Peppers. But after another pathetic performance from the Carolina Panthers' offense, the fans turned their venom toward the home team. Rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen was booed, then benched for the first time in his brief NFL career. Backup Matt Moore relieved him and picked up where he left off in Week 2, tossing two interceptions at the end of the Panthers' listless 23-6 loss to Chicago on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. With an open date this weekend, the Panthers (0-5) will have two weeks to remove the stench of their latest loss. "It's kind of the same smell week after week," tight end Jeff King said. "We can't give up big plays and offensively, we have to"
No plays like at home for dominant Peppers
October 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The good times didn't end when he finally left the field, surrounded by cameras, saluting the crowd. For Julius Peppers, this reunion was expected to spill over into today. While his teammates flew back to Chicago on the team charter, their star defensive end was scheduled to remain in his home state to bask in the moment. Nobody could blame him. As far as homecomings go, it will be hard to top this. Not only did the Bears pull out a 23-6 road win despite a wretched performance from backup quarterback Todd Collins, but the defense got back on track after a dismal fourth quarter against the Giants last week, holding the run-oriented Panthers to 85 yards rushing while forcing three"
Special day for Peppers
October 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Julius Peppers jogged off the field at Bank of America Stadium for the first time as the enemy, he casually tossed a glove into the stands then embraced former Panthers teammate Steve Smith inside the tunnel. "I still have a lot of respect for him and these guys," Peppers said of the injured Smith and the Panthers. "Just because it didn't work out upstairs, I still have a lot of respect for the coaches and all the players. "I think you can see that by everybody coming up to me. I found (Panthers) coach John Fox before the game and shook his hand and had a few words with him. It was a good time." Peppers might be a little bitter toward the Panthers' front office — he still hasn't spoken"
Panthers struggling to replace Julius Peppers
October 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When free agency opened March 5, defensive end Julius Peppers was the most coveted player. A player in his prime, with his credentials, rarely becomes available. In 2008, the Minnesota Vikings traded one first- and two third-round picks to the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire defensive end Jared Allen, then rewarded him with a record contract. The Vikings jumped from eighth in sacks to fourth in Allen's first season. But the better indicator of his impact might be what happened to the Chiefs. They went from being tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks with Allen (37 in 2007) to last without him (10 in 2008). Since the Bears signed him to a contract that included $42 million in guarantees, Peppers"
Carolina, on his mind
October 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"A phone call would have sufficed. A hand-written letter would have too. Julius Peppers waited a week, then two, then a month. He kept checking his phone during Pro Bowl week in January, hoping someone from the Panthers' front office would reach out and relay which direction the franchise was headed. The call never came, leaving Peppers with a case of the Carolina blues. "They want to spin it like I was hell bent on getting out of there," the Bears defensive end said of the Panthers, his team for eight seasons with before landing in Chicago. "They want to spin it like I wanted out no matter what." The reality, according to what Peppers told the Tribune, just wasn't that. "On two different"
A Panthers upset brews in 'welcome back Julius' week
October 8
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Ron Green Jr.
"Bears defensive end Julius Peppers was drafted No. 2 overall by the Panthers in 2002. The theme in Week Five is coming back. Ben Roethlisberger is coming back to the Pittsburgh Steelers this week after serving his bad behavior/public humiliation penalty from NFL commissioner/middle linebacker Roger Goodell. Santonio Holmes returns to the New York Jets after being suspended for four games for violating the league's 'Don't Do That' policy. And, you may have noticed, the Chicago Bears' Julius Peppers returns to Charlotte for the most eagerly anticipated game a winless team can play the fifth week of the season. There will be plenty of discussion about what kind of reception Peppers will"
Peppers was the face of the Panthers' franchise, but return has been subdued
October 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Queen City is the popular nickname for Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina. But another nickname seems more appropriate as Bears defensive end Julius Peppers prepares for a homecoming Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. During the Revolutionary War, British commander Charles Cornwallis occupied the city but was driven out by hostile residents, prompting him to write that Charlotte was a ''hornet's nest of rebellion.'' Contemporary residents debate whether the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end bolted town voluntarily or involuntarily, a point that's not entirely clear because Peppers insists the Panthers were going to ''do away with anybody who was making any significant amount"
Julius Peppers says relationship with Panthers ended 'a little sour'
October 7
Gaston Gazette
 
"Julius Peppers said his only regret while playing for the Carolina Panthers is the way things ended. Peppers, who makes his return to Charlotte this Sunday when the Panthers host the Chicago Bears, described his departure from Carolina after eight seasons as "a little sour" during a 19-minute conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "I don't have a problem with them saying, 'OK, the lockout is coming up. The future of the league is uncertain and we're going to go in a different direction and we're going to do away with anybody who's going to make any significant amount of money, and we're going to keep young guys,'" Peppers said. "That's a business decision. I can understand that"
Peppers clears the air
October 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"Throughout his eight years with the Carolina Panthers, Julius Peppers never had much to say. But Peppers got a couple of things off his chest Wednesday, questioning his former team's handling of his offseason departure and claiming Panthers officials never informed him they would not re-sign him. Peppers, the Pro Bowl defensive end who signed a six-year, $91.5 million deal with Chicago in March, took the high road for most of a 20-minute conference call with Charlotte-area media while discussing his first game at Bank of America Stadium with a visiting team Sunday. But near the end of the call, Peppers took a couple of shots at the organization that drafted him with the second overall pick"