About

I am a multimedia nut, journalism, photography, videography, radio broadcasting and production. I’ve done it all, but I love to write and have a lot to say. I live in the Chicagoland area now and have always had an extreme love and passion for the Chicago Bears
Will Emperor Julius Reign Supreme?
Written by Brett Solesky   
Monday, 08 March 2010 19:05
Julius Peppers

The Chicago Bears today showed for the second year in a row that they are serious about doing what it takes to improve their team to win football games.  Since 2006 the Bears haven't had a player crack the double digit sack total, or even really get pressure on the QB.  That all changed today when the Bears added free agent DE Julius Peppers who has cracked the double digits sack plateau six out of his eight years in the NFL. 

Bears fans are ripe with giddiness for the second off-season in a row, but only time can determine if this giddiness will carry over for another 11 months.  That will be the ultimate demand of this team, after what has transpired during the last two off-seasons. 

The simple fact is with Julius Peppers on board the expectations of success have been raised considerably.  Not that those expectations weren't high going into this make or break season for Lovie Smith, but now it's safe to demand an NFC North title and probably a first round bye in the playoffs.  Getting to the playoffs is no longer acceptable no matter how tough the schedule is because of the talent additions and with the raise in ticket prices. 

Peppers is 30-years-old and is one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL as Peter King put it in a tweet on twitter not too long ago, and I don't quote directly, but the essentials were like this "Some day 20-years from now, Julius Peppers might wake up and realize that he could have been the greatest pass rusher of all-time, arguably one of the best defenders of all-time.  That's the type of talent he has, and that's the level of expectations a $91-million-dollar contract will get you. 

Julius PeppersNo longer can he hide behind the excuses that the players next to him aren't adequate enough to take the load off of him.  Tommie Harris while not at his peak anymore was double teamed more than any other Bears player on the line last year.  If that continues then there's going to be a lot of one on one pass rush situations for Peppers.  If it doesn't then it's even more opportunity for Harris to succeed. 

This has been one of the fundamental problems the Bears have faced, the DEs that have been here haven't succeeded in rushing the passer in one on one situations.  Alex Brown for all his hustle and heart just doesn't have that extra gear off the edge, and Adewale Oguneleye simply never had the heart or hustle in him to get the job done.  Now the Bears should be near the top of the league in every defensive passing category.  They should slam the door on third and long and put the offense in very favorable field position to score and score often. 

It's an entirely new dynamic for this defense and that dynamic has nothing to do with the defensive scheme.  Slam on the Cover-2 all you want, call it overrated and old fad listen to all the analysts rip on it until they're blue in the face.  But each and every defense in the league is easy to defeat if there isn't pressure on the quarterback, and that's what the Bears have been lacking. 

Peppers has the potential and I emphasize this to really hammer home the importance of his arrival and the pressure upon him, he SHOULD be the greatest DE to have every played the game by the time his career is over.  As an example Peppers is only slightly behind the pace set by all-time great Bruce Smith who had 92 sacks over his first eight years in the league.  From now until his contract expires in six years there is no reason to believe that Peppers can't push his career sack total over 150 sacks, nearly doubling his current total of 81 career sacks. 

Outrageous numbers?  Maybe by some accounts, but Peppers is being paid as the highest paid defender ever in the NFL and his production from here on out should reflect that.  His three year sack total starting in year one should be at a level that's amongst the greatest three year sack totals in NFL history. 

I think the demand of Peppers should be absolutely clear, otherwise this free agency signing will have been a complete failure, Peppers didn't earn a big pay day, he should be earning his money every time he steps out on the field.  Peppers was a bargain for the Carolina Panthers with his third highest sack total in the NFL over the last eight years in the league, now from here on out Peppers may struggle to earn the value of his contract. 

This contract may be the most damning aspect of what professional sports has come to, players who are paid based on what they have achieved in the past, not paid on what their future potential holds.  There in lies the most pressure filled and demanding aspect of this free agency signing, Peppers needs to do everything in his power to live up to the lofty contract he has signed.
Comments (0)Add Comment

Write comment

busy
< Prev   Next >
 

Search Midway Illustrated

 

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer.  Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites.  Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!