How will Julius Peppers change the game?

I think we faced him 3 times when he was in Carolina, the biggest of course being the 2003 Super Bowl, and he has 4 tackles and 0 sacks in those games.

The Bears defense is much more talented though so even if he can't get to Brady, he could cause problems along the line for his teammates. Hopefully Vollmer or Light can handle him one-on-one the majority of the time, as he lines up on both sides from the few Bears games I've seen. I'd expect some TE or RB chip help, but hopefully it's not necessary all the time.

Has Peppers ever played well against the Pats? I remember way back in the Super Bowl in 2003 he was supposed to kill Brady all game, and I don't think they called his name once. I believe BB has his number, so to speak, and will be able to neutralize him.

I think that, offensively, the Pats will use a similar style to what they used against the Colts. A lot of 2 TE sets with Crumpler and Gronkowski out there to help hit Peppers and Idonije.

Sign the beast.

Peppers did not play motivated while with Carolina. He wanted to get out of there. He is on fire with Bears. I am sure BB & Brady watched all Bears videos in the 11 days of gap before the JETS game

alge crumpler will help out

Brettlax3434 said:

Haha, he is the best DE in the league, and has been for a long time. No one dominates the game like Peppers. Hes known for sacks and QB pressure, but he plays the run better then any D-lineman in the league.

-He deserves his credit. That being said, we will help on him with TE's and neutralize him.

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OK, well you are entitled to your opinion.
You do realize though that outside of a 3 sack game vs an injury depleted Miami he only has 4 sacks.
I guess we will agree to disagree about his run D because I have never been impressed by it, including a SB when we ran right at him and he was useless.

While we are all focused on Peppers... what about Urlacher? He plays really good coverage over the middle and might be a force against the TEs...

AndyJohnson said:

Thats about 1 time a game. Not exactly a force to be reckoned with.
Individual pass rusher can make a couple of plays a game, but they dont control a game. A TEAM pass rush is what is disruptive. (I'm ignoring one horrendous OLman getting abused all day)
This is one of the most overrated concepts in football, IMO.
A DE getting 1 sack a game and one hit after the ball is thrown is dominating the stats. Its what he does on the other 60+ plays that make the difference.

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Gotta say, I hope BB thinks exactly like you do. Pep does it all. Run stopping, speed rush, bull rush , containment, gets his hands up for passes, pursues acrros and down field.

I was skeptical of him because of his "doesn't work hard" rap from Carolina. No one, NO ONE, has worked harder in practice and on every single play than Peppers.

Israel Idonije is a serious threat on the other side too. So it isn't just one guy as you think. We get a good push up the middle by Toeaina and Adams too.

We've got a solid front four. We don't blitz much, and we've done quite well getting pressure, hits and sacks on every team we've faced.

You guys deserve props, but don't underestimate Peppers or our Dline.

Bearstuff said:

Gotta say, I hope BB thinks exactly like you do. Pep does it all. Run stopping, speed rush, bull rush , containment, gets his hands up for passes, pursues acrros and down field.

I was skeptical of him because of his "doesn't work hard" rap from Carolina. No one, NO ONE, has worked harder in practice and on every single play than Peppers.

Israel Idonije is a serious threat on the other side too. So it isn't just one guy as you think. We get a good push up the middle by Toeaina and Adams too.

We've got a solid front four. We don't blitz much, and we've done quite well getting pressure, hits and sacks on every team we've faced.

You guys deserve props, but don't underestimate Peppers or our Dline.

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Doesnt really matter whether I underestimate him.
It is still a fact though that a pass rusher affects a couple of plays a game, they are not going to change the game or decide the outcome. A teams pass rush can, and the PAtriots need to block the Bears, but Peppers by himself isn't going to effect the outcome of the game.

How does Chicago's secondary stack up? Will the Bears try to apply a lot of QB pressure with constant blitzing or will they just rely on guys like Peppers and Urlacher to rush and fall back into coverage. If so, can Briggs or any of their safeties cover the likes of Welker and/or our TE's?

fair catch fryar said:

How does Chicago's secondary stack up? Will the Bears try to apply a lot of QB pressure with constant blitzing or will they just rely on guys like Peppers and Urlacher to rush and fall back into coverage. If so, can Briggs or any of their safeties cover the likes of Welker and/or our TE's?

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Bears only blitz a few times a game (less than 8), thusfar, mostly from the nickel back. We have much improved safety play over the previous 2 years. Corners are pretty decent, though no one will dub their area as "an island", lol.

We are missing our 1st and possibly our 2nd string SLB, which could be a problem for TE coverage.

Our base defense is a Tampa 2, which should allow for underneath passing (perfect for Welker), but we also are excellent at clogging passing lanes. Not sure, but think we lead the league in tipped passes at the LOS.

Urlacher is always good at dropping back in coverage. He rarely blitzes (though he did last week). Briggs is just everywhere, and is more likely to blitz (he sheds blockers better).

The key, as always, for Chicago's defense is 3rd down. Generally a team as good as NE will be in 3rd and short, but we lead the league in 3rd down %. If NE can put together long drives, the game is likely yours easily.

Honestly, I see this as a "team with the ball last wins" type of game. Of course, if we turn the ball over it could be quick.

kkpat said:

Peppers did not play motivated while with Carolina. He wanted to get out of there. He is on fire with Bears. I am sure BB & Brady watched all Bears videos in the 11 days of gap before the JETS game

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So he wasn't motivated in the Super Bowl either, huh?

AndyJohnson said:

Doesnt really matter whether I underestimate him.
It is still a fact though that a pass rusher affects a couple of plays a game, they are not going to change the game or decide the outcome. A teams pass rush can, and the PAtriots need to block the Bears, but Peppers by himself isn't going to effect the outcome of the game.

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As I said the first time, I sincerely hope that BB feels that way too.

AndyJohnson said:

Individual pass rusher can make a couple of plays a game, but they dont control a game. A TEAM pass rush is what is disruptive. (I'm ignoring one horrendous OLman getting abused all day)
This is one of the most overrated concepts in football, IMO.
A DE getting 1 sack a game and one hit after the ball is thrown is dominating the stats. Its what he does on the other 60+ plays that make the difference.

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This isn't so much about Peppers, but I agree on the point about a pass rusher. You always hear that: "the Pats need a PASS RUSHER, they should draft a PASS RUSHER." No, they should draft good football players. If you've got a good defensive line, good linebackers, you will pressure the passer.

Bearstuff said:

Bears only blitz a few times a game (less than 8), thusfar, mostly from the nickel back. We have much improved safety play over the previous 2 years. Corners are pretty decent, though no one will dub their area as "an island", lol.

We are missing our 1st and possibly our 2nd string SLB, which could be a problem for TE coverage.

Our base defense is a Tampa 2, which should allow for underneath passing (perfect for Welker), but we also are excellent at clogging passing lanes. Not sure, but think we lead the league in tipped passes at the LOS.

Urlacher is always good at dropping back in coverage. He rarely blitzes (though he did last week). Briggs is just everywhere, and is more likely to blitz (he sheds blockers better).

The key, as always, for Chicago's defense is 3rd down. Generally a team as good as NE will be in 3rd and short, but we lead the league in 3rd down %. If NE can put together long drives, the game is likely yours easily.

Honestly, I see this as a "team with the ball last wins" type of game. Of course, if we turn the ball over it could be quick.

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Thanks. I'm just hoping that Fred Taylor is back(he had a few plays in the end of the Jets game) and they have a strong duo to pound it while allowing Brady to dink and dunk all game.

Kid~Brady said:

While we are all focused on Peppers... what about Urlacher? He plays really good coverage over the middle and might be a force against the TEs...

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The comeback player of the year did have 19 tackles and a sack last week. Just sayin'

So the 85 Bears D is back in the windy city? Sorry but I missed the headline.

Pats have played some excellent defenses this season. If they prepare and execute they will score.

I am actually thinking the Pats D may have a big day against the Bears QB and shaky OL.

fair catch fryar said:

Thanks. I'm just hoping that Fred Taylor is back(he had a few plays in the end of the Jets game) and they have a strong duo to pound it while allowing Brady to dink and dunk all game.

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Taylor didn't have that many yards on the few carries that he had towards the end, did he?

I was frankly hoping to see him tear thru at the tired Jets D but also realize that he's not played for long.

Hope he goes full steam ahead from now - and touchwood, doesn't hurt himself.