Peppers apologizes for a lack of effort
Julius Peppers stunned the team recently by giving a five-minute, written-out speech to his teammates. Centered around his own self accountability, Peppers realized it was time to look at the man in the mirror and take responsibility for his actions on the field.
He told the team he went home, put in tape of every game they've played thus far and was extremely disappointed in the man he saw on film. He admitted he needed to make a change immediately, change from the man who had disappointed himself thus far.
3 months ago
southtunnel
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Okay he apologized
so is he going to refund any of the 6 million dollars plus he collected thus far from we, the fans?
Actions, speak louder than words. Let’s see if he puts his money where his mouth is.
by univonc on Oct 27, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why would he refund money that is contractually his?
Since the speech he’s had 3 sacks, 10 tackle and a forced fumble. But the real question is will he make a difference against quality teams… we’ll know pretty soon.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 27, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Refund comment = sarcasm
My point is basically this:
Why did he wait until week 8 to have this clarity of thought? Sorry calling BS on this one.
He POUTED! Pure and simple. Now he realized that his play is going to affect his potential as a free agent in the 2010 year. I believe that if the CBA is not done it is an upcapped year. Therefore, he will not be making as much money if he continued on his half hearted playing.
The message i hope is sincere. YET, asa professional he should have realized his half @ss playing in week 3, or yet coach Fox should have called him into the office to discuss it.
This is starting to stick of a lack of leadership on the part of Fox and a lack of responsibility on behalf of Julius.
HOWEVER, I did notice that he and Lawrence Taylor were hanging around the UNC vs Florida State game. Maybe LT had some advice? Let’s hope so……
by univonc on Oct 27, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes he should have realized it earlier but some have more pride than others and that sometimes clouds one’s judgement. A lot of times its easier to blame something else than to man up and realize its your own fault. Being a normally quiet guy I highly doubt he would have written a 5 minute speech for his teammates that was not publicized what so ever if it was about his future pay elsewhere. Anyways i commend him for owning up to his slack in the first few games and trying to turn things around regardless of the fact he doesn’t even wanna be here.
by EyeSack on Oct 28, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe some of you should get off his back
Name someone else who has 20.5 sacks in their last 22 games. There may be a couple, but not many. Each of those guys are being treated like all-stars, but Pep is being hated. Seriously? There are only two DEs in the league who have more sacks and tackles than him, and they have both played one more game. I’m not saying he’s worth every penny we give him, but seriously, who has done more over their last 22 games? And how many of those other guys are as capable of blocking kicks or covering RBs out the backfield. He’s a beast and he’s been productive. Now he’s saying he’s gonna turn it up a little. For a guy to take criticism like what he’s received and then go and review game tape, every single play, to see if it is justified is unprecedented in my opinion. Who else has ever done that? How about after a Pro Bowl season? It’s not like he’s losing games for us. He is getting work done.
And when it comes to getting sacks against better teams, well everyone in the history of football has better stats against weaker opponents. But if he brings real effort every week, than that is all you can ask for. It’s the effort this team needs, and the defense has been doing its part overall the last few weeks.
by usana_gaines on Oct 28, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When you burn a team who's been loyal to you, then you don't win many fans.
The Panthers were prepared to make him the highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL and he declined because he didn’t want to play here.
When the fanbase as a whole has such love for Peppers (look around BoA and see how many #90s you see) and he turns his back saying he doesn’t want to be here, then the fanbase feels betrayed and turn on the player. You’re left with a minority who still support the player regardless.
Is it right? Probably not, but hell hath no fury than a fan scorned by their star player.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Oct 28, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can't argue
i agree with you on that one. you can hate on him if you want, but i’m just saying that criticisms need to be based on fact. for example, you can’t knock his stats. if you say he’s focused on earning a bigger contract with another team, no one has real facts to argue against you. but you can’t say he’s not trying.
i personally think that meeks’ defense will allow johnson and brown to be successful, along with hilee taylor, and pep’s contract could be used for a quarterback. i mean, he is being paid more than tom brady, peyton manning, and drew brees. who would you rather have right now, pep or drew brees? pep is being paid franchise qb money, and he hasn’t engineered any 4th quarter comebacks this year.
by usana_gaines on Oct 28, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's too out of character to be BS
The guy turns down any and every opportunity to speak his mind. Why would he go to the trouble this time if it wasn’t sincere?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 28, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he’s a potental free agent in 2010 in an uncapped offseason.
Want to look like a ‘team player’ for prospective bosses.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Oct 28, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i just gained massive respect from peppers
the only thing he can do now is one produce, and two take a hometown discount next offseason.
by carolinabrave89 on Oct 27, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hometown discount?
a discount no. He should sign a contract quickly that doesn’t cripple our cap, but still rewards him for being a player of his calibre.
Money aside, after reading the the full article how much of the defence’s return is Ron Meeks and how much of it is Peppers rallying the troops, as it were, with that speech?
by bleed_in_blue on Oct 27, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he's pleased with Meeks' style of defense
Perhaps (I’m just surmising; have no idea) he’s figuring out that this isn’t such a bad place, or a bad system, to maximize his potential, as he thought it was last year, under Trgovac. And maybe the support he got from other players, who didn’t renounce him for wanting to leave, has played a part in this suspected change of heart.
by bigdavis on Oct 27, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
kampman
maybe he also looked at guys like Jason Taylor and Aaron Kampman, and has seen their lack of production switching from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB. Kampman looks lost most of the time trying to read plays.
by usana_gaines on Oct 28, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good observation
That might assume too much inductive reasoning for the subject, however. But maybe.
by bigdavis on Oct 29, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope his speech motivates everyone..
and helps us turn this season around…we still have enough talent to beat any team in the NFL…
by jay23 on Oct 27, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This season is done.
But if Peppers truly means what he said, he’s going to sign a contract extension and give his all to earn it. Words are only words. He needs to get his rear in gear and start helping his team. So what if it’s ‘out of character’ for Peppers to make a big speech? We need a guy that can cause constant pressure, not a aura of emo on the darker side of the locker room.
It’s encouraging that he apologized, but if he wants to help this team we need more from him. Cmon Peppers! Show us you love us!
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 27, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This was a good start
He has been playing lights out, five sacks in the past three games, along a with an assisted safety. He’s got another shoddy LT and a powerful source of motivation this week, lets smash Kurt’s face in the dirt!!!!!
BTW, I am sick of the contract talk with Peppers. As an NFL player, it’s make what you can as fast as you can make it. When Peppers is old and crippled, will the team contribute to his insurance. The answer is no.
by Flowing Willow on Oct 28, 2009 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, actually, the team will.
A pension and post-retirement health insurance is part of every veteran (4+ years of service team, I believe) NFL player’s benefits package.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Nov 1, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Hometown Discount
Maybe it’s the cynic in me, but do you really think this was a heartfelt apology to his teammates that ‘happened’ to be leaked to the media?
He’s in a contract year and wants to go to another team. What better way to market himself to the league than as the ultimate team player who’s willing to step up when he’s dogging it, rather than be viewed by the league as a disgruntled player willing to sink the team for his own needs.
He’s dogged it before and no such apology, so I find it a little convienient now when it’s unlikely the Panthers will franchise him again.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Oct 28, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
this a bajillion times over.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Nov 1, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t really buy the fact the Peppers was probably laying in his bed one night conniving this whole scheme for his marketability next season.. Either way, he’s stepped it up and that helps the team this season, god knows we need all we can get at the moment.
by EyeSack on Oct 28, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hometown REFUND!
OK, glad he’s feeling guilty. Maybe he should feel guilty about all that money and give the team a refund? How about signing a long term contract? I want to see his apology on the field Sunday!
by PANTHERSRULE on Oct 28, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're right his play will do the talking
I think another reason the story was leaked was because maybe the players wanted Pep to get a little respect. But that’s just the optimist in me. ; D
by Flowing Willow on Nov 1, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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