“He’s A Freak”
December 22nd, 2017
Julius Peppers has extra incentive Sunday against the Bucs
Eventual slam dunk Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers, whose 10 sacks for the Panthers this season means he now has 10 double-digit-sack seasons in his career, was a free agent this past offseason.
Per the Charlotte Observer, Peppers signed a $3.5 million contract with $750,000 in incentives and arguably was among the very best values on the free agent market.
Did Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who should have been aching to add edge rush talent, make a play for Peppers?
We shall never know.
On the surface, it seems Licht was content to stand pat with Noah Spence coming off shoulder surgery, Jacquies Smith coming off knee surgery, and George Johnson coming off a broken hip. Those guys were to complement 32-year-old Robert Ayers and pass-rush-challenged Will Gholston.
It didn’t work.
Again, perhaps Licht tried for Peppers, the fourth-leading sack artist in NFL history? Maybe Peppers wanted to go home to North Carolina.
What’s not a mystery is that Peppers is a truly historic talent. He was a high school track, basketball and football star who famously walked on to the elite Tar Heels basketball team while playing football, too.
The rest is history. Peppers was a promising hoopster but went all-in on football and was the No. 2 overall pick of the Panthers in 2002.
Tonight, Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter sounded like he wished Peppers was on his team.
“He’s a freak,” Koetter said on SiriusXM NFL Radio, noting 37-year-old Peppers’ athletic history and his transformation from part-time player to full-time player as this season has progressed.
Peppers was a thorn in Jameis Winston’s side last month in Tampa, and Joe’s expecting more of the same Sunday.
Per the Charlotte Observer story referenced above, Peppers needs just one more sack this season to hit a $250,000 incentive in his contract. That’s a lot of cash, even for a rich dude like Peppers.
Look out, Jameis. The freak is coming for you.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:30 pm
I use to watch UNC b-ball back in the day. Back door cut, and Peppers would slam it home. But Peppers and Jevon Kearse are among the biggest freaks of nature that has ever walked on a football field.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Instead, Licht overpaid for lazy Baker. SMH!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Much respect to Peppers for a great career … 1st ballot HOF’er no doubt imho
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:01 pm
All you need to do is look at the field to see if Licht did make a play for him why he would not want to come here. But the again it would just be free money.
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:50 pm
One of the most overated players ever..
December 23rd, 2017 at 1:26 am
Peppers wasn’t going anywhere besides Carolina. He went home to retire, so it didn’t matter whether Licht and the Bucs were interested or not. I think it’s sinilar with Calais Campbell too. Licht has proven he isn’t afraid to make a splash in free agency and we know they had the money despite what dirk says. I just think Calais picked Jacksonville because their defense was already loaded with talent. (Oh and Tom Coughlin’s step on your throat demeanor)
December 23rd, 2017 at 8:00 am
All this blame on licht for the baker signing is simply not looking at the big picture. The head coach and coaching staff should have been making him practice tackle football and get in shape all of camp. Weve seen he can play, as he did in washington, when he was trying. Instead lf concentrating on getting better baker took the money and heckled kickers in practice, heckled jags fans, humped trees. Plenty of blame to go around. Starts with the player, a man who should have pride and play up to his pay scale. Then again the coaches arent helping him out much. Lichts far from the one to blame. Itll be a mistake to let licht go. Definitely way past due on these lousy coaches getting the pink slip and baker being unemployed
December 23rd, 2017 at 8:36 am
BuccLuck is spot on…..
No way Peppers would give a second of thought to the Buccaneers…..
December 23rd, 2017 at 12:34 pm
I said the Bucs need to sign him in the offseason – he’s a true freak and would contribute. But nope, the Bucs didn’t even pick up the phone. Heck I’d bring Simeon Rice in at this point if he was serious about still wanting to play – I’d at least give him a workout.