With 90 days to go until the season opener, let’s take a look at the roster as it stands and what we can expect from the Panthers this season. Next up on the countdown is #90, a man who needs no introduction in this corner of the world but will get one anyway... Julius Peppers. Peppers is one of the greatest players in the history of this franchise, even without playing his entire career here. Even at his extremely advanced age, he is beyond capable of being an absolute defensive terror for any who dare oppose him.
Bio
Age: 37
Height: 6’ 7”
Weight: 295 lbs
Position: DE
Experience: 16th Season
College: North Carolina, 1st round pick (#2 Overall) by Carolina
2016 Stats: 23 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 3 PDef, 2 FF
Career Stats: 660 tackles, 143.5 sacks, 73 PDef, 11 INTs, 4 TD, 47 FF
Career
Julius Peppers is a football legend returning to the state where it all began for his final hurrah. A hurrah that is expected to be loud and impactful, and probably very painful for anyone not wearing Panthers black and blue. He is already a lock to be a first-ballot hall of famer, and I can say without question that he is one of the top five overall athletes in the entire world of sports of the 21st century so far. I mean really... how many football players do you know that can remain productive, outside of the rare QB and kicker, into their late 30’s? Then the reality sinks in that this may not even be Julius Peppers final season. He has never declared it as such.
Beyond that... how many defensive ends could also do THIS in college:
College was a long long long time ago for Julius... but his impact in the NFL is far from over. Here are his awards thus far:
- 9× Pro Bowl (2004–2006, 2008–2012, 2015)
- 3× First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006, 2010)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012)
- NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2002)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
- Panthers franchise records: Sacks (81), Forced Fumbles (30), Longest INT return (97 yards vs. Broncos 10/10/04)
- Fifth most sacks NFL history (143.5)
- Third most Forced Fumbles in NFL history (47)
- Only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions
- Only player in NFL history with 100-plus sacks and four interceptions returned for touchdowns
... and that isn’t even a comprehensive list, which you can find here.
I could write an entire manifesto about Julius Peppers, but I think most of you know what I know, and are extremely glad to have him back. At this point, every single down might not be total mayhem, but working inside this very strong rotation the Panthers have put together, he will stay fresh when others are tired, and he is going to feast once again on the bodies of fallen quarterbacks.
Welcome back, Pep.