Peppers 6-years to the Bears

[CykoAGR]

Defense StatsYEARTEAMGTOTSOLOASTPDSACKFFRECINTYDSTD2002CAR1235287512.05012102003CAR164437737.0300002004CAR16645212911.040214312005CAR16503812610.5200002006CAR1658499613.0300002007CAR143830852.5301002008CAR16514011514.5500002009CAR1642366510.55112131Career122382310724481.030061772

Above are Pepper's career stats. While I may be a biased Bears fan its not like his numbers have dropped of in recent years. I realize that he is now 30 and "possibly" nearing the end of his prime if he is not out of it already but the Bears have no draft picks in the first 2 rnds and need help right away. With a few moves in FA I think that they can compete with the Pack and depending on what Favre does also compete with MN. If Favre comes back the North is MN's to lose but a wildcard berth for Chicago is not out of the question with a few more good FA moves.

 

[clone34]

The bears were 7-9 last year and could have easily been 9-7. Cutler had his worst game at the 49ers and still could have won. The Bears lost Urlacher in the first game. He is the inspirational leader of the defense and makes everyone better. Peppers deal is actually only a 4 year deal and there is not a salary cap so they are going for broke. He was the best player available in FA. There are still holes to fill but these are big steps. It automatically means AP will get more carries at Minnesota and that means more fumbles, if that is possible.

 

[Mr Janny]

Going into a non-capped year, the Bears can still get a WR...especially since there are a number of them being shopped around or who are free agents.

Getting Taylor and Peppers are huge for the Bears as they have limited draft picks this year.

This. I'm no Bears fan, but it's pretty obvious that Chicago needed to make some moves in Free Agency if they had any plans on improving this year. The Cutler and Gaines Adams trades left the draft pick cupboard pretty bare. The chances of them going out and getting an immediate playmaker with nothing higher than a 3rd round pick are pretty slim.

A guy like Peppers can improve the play of an entire defense just by himself. Lovie's cover 2 defense is predicated on a consistent pass rush by his front four. The Bears D-line, with the addition of Peppers, ought to be able to generate a good pass rush, allowing that Cover 2 to be more effective.

 

[capitalcityguy]

what draft picks were they supposed to use? They have neither a 1st or 2nd round pick. Also, how does the signing of free agents prevent them from drafting for the future? They still have the same number of picks today as they did yesterday.

You might be right there. It just seems like an Oakland Raiders/Washington Redskins way to build a team...and we all know how that has work out lately.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Defense StatsYEARTEAMGTOTSOLOASTPDSACKFFRECINTYDSTD2002CAR1235287512.05012102003CAR164437737.0300002004CAR16645212911.040214312005CAR16503812610.5200002006CAR1658499613.0300002007CAR143830852.5301002008CAR16514011514.5500002009CAR1642366510.55112131Career122382310724481.030061772

Above are Pepper's career stats. While I may be a biased Bears fan its not like his numbers have dropped of in recent years. I realize that he is now 30 and "possibly" nearing the end of his prime if he is not out of it already but the Bears have no draft picks in the first 2 rnds and need help right away. With a few moves in FA I think that they can compete with the Pack and depending on what Favre does also compete with MN. If Favre comes back the North is MN's to lose but a wildcard berth for Chicago is not out of the question with a few more good FA moves.

I wouldn't worry about the 1-2 year outlook its those years 3-6.

 

[cyclone9]

he's 30 now, out of his prime, and he'll be 36 by the time this contract is up.

but as a packer fan... :biglaugh:

The packers once signed a 31 year old free agent who was considered to be the most talented defensive end in the league and it worked out pretty well for them. Remember Reggie White?

The fact is that Julius Peppers will make the Bears a much a better team without taking anything from what they currently have. I'm happy with that.

 

[Gitwitit]

There is no way he plays out that 6 yr contract. I think it was a good move given Angelo and Lovie are trying to save their jobs, but he only has probably 3-4 more pro bowl caliber years in him (at best). He is still dominant when he gives 100%.

The Bears needed the most help on both lines. Their d-line got it with Peppers, now they need to get a couple veteran o-linemen that can step in right away.

Unfortunately, I think they pi$$ed away their best years of defense because the front office was too inept to get some offensive weapons. Now their defense is aging and they have some potentially good offensive weapons in Cutler and Forte.

 

[deadeyededric]

Yeah, you are signing a 9 year veteran to a 6 year contract. That sounds smart. Typical Bears. Why would they not try and draft a Brandon Graham or something. They will be in position to get a good DE prospect since there are so many this year. This makes no sense to me.

My thoughts also.

 

[capitalcityguy]

The packers once signed a 31 year old free agent who was considered to be the most talented defensive end in the league and it worked out pretty well for them. Remember Reggie White?

The fact is that Julius Peppers will make the Bears a much a better team without taking anything from what they currently have. I'm happy with that.

No one....I mean no one questioned Reggie White's skills, attitude, upside, etc. The same can't be said for Peppers.

The analogy should be a slap in the face to any Reggie Whiite fans out there.

 

[cyclone9]

No one....I mean no one questioned Reggie White's skills, attitude, upside, etc. The same can't be said for Peppers.

The analogy should be a slap in the face to any Reggie Whiite fans out there.

I'm a huge Reggie White fan. He was an amazing player, and I didn't say anything negative about him. I was just pointing out that the situations are very similar in terms of the age, talent, and length of contracts for both players. And Julius Peppers is no slouch himself. 81 sacks in 8 seasons is pretty impressive.

 

[Bubbahotep]

I'm a huge Reggie White fan. He was an amazing player, and I didn't say anything negative about him. I was just pointing out that the situations are very similar in terms of the age, talent, and length of contracts for both players. And Julius Peppers is no slouch himself. 81 sacks in 8 seasons is pretty impressive.

The difference is, Ron Wolf got their Franchise QB for next to nothng, while the Bears traded away their future for Cutler.

 

[clone34]

All Bears fans know that the Packers get great QB's for nothing, the Bears don't. I would do the trade everday of the week for Cutler. The bears have missed on first round QB's and RB's and WR's. 2 first rounders is a lot to give but just watch ol Orton now without Marshall. The Bears had to make moves and they have. Not much OL help available but with a WR or 2 the offense will be tough and the D is going to be much better next year. With limited injuries the Bears will be in the playoffs next year.

 

[gocubs2118]

All Bears fans know that the Packers get great QB's for nothing, the Bears don't. I would do the trade everday of the week for Cutler. The bears have missed on first round QB's and RB's and WR's. 2 first rounders is a lot to give but just watch ol Orton now without Marshall. The Bears had to make moves and they have. Not much OL help available but with a WR or 2 the offense will be tough and the D is going to be much better next year. With limited injuries the Bears will be in the playoffs next year.

Finally someone that makes sense.

 

[clonedude]

All Bears fans know that the Packers get great QB's for nothing, the Bears don't. I would do the trade everday of the week for Cutler. The bears have missed on first round QB's and RB's and WR's. 2 first rounders is a lot to give but just watch ol Orton now without Marshall. The Bears had to make moves and they have. Not much OL help available but with a WR or 2 the offense will be tough and the D is going to be much better next year. With limited injuries the Bears will be in the playoffs next year.

I wouldn't be too sure about that? If Favre comes back, I could easily see the Bears go 0-4 against the Vikes and Packers. The Vikes and Packers offenses are just too good.

 

[dmcbrady]

Ok, time to burst some bubbles here. I am a Bears fan but I look at it like this.
The Bears do not have a WR problem right now. Having Aromashodu, who I may remind you burned the Vikings for over 150 yards, Bennett and Knox is a decent 1-3. Are they superstars, no, are they adequate, yes. So stop with that WR crap. Second, the Packers Offensive line is terrible. Aaron Rodgers was lucky to make it through last season and he won't make it through the next one getting hit as often as he did. The Packers need a very good draft to shore up their offensive line.
The Vikings lost their third down back who does not put the ball on the ground. This is a problem. AD is one of the best first and second down backs, but there is a reason he gets pulled on third down. He is a bad blocker and a below average receiver.
This division race will be close, if Favre comes back. If not, I have no idea who the Vikes will get to QB. I like Sage, but he is not a starter.