Jabrill Peppers at 32?

[WaterfallJumper]

I went back and watched about 10 games from Peppers (several from this year, and a few from last year), to try to reevaluate Peppers due to this thread. His coverage is not as bad as people make it out to be; he's actually pretty lockdown in man to man coverage, and smothers TEs and RBs on short and intermediate routes. In fact, last year he was used extensively at outside corner, and has press man experience. Physically, he fits the bill, with the size, quick feet, and hip flexibility to stay with the WR down the field. Sometimes he lost the ball in the air, though, and the receiver was able to pull in a catch despite Peppers being in good position.

The biggest problem I saw with Peppers this year is that he's a step late in cover 2. He was used so frequently at linebacker that the few times they flexed him back to safety, he still peered into the backfield when his responsibility probably should have been to get into the deep half for post routes. Without knowing the defensive call, however, it's tough to say definitively. I think he could improve his discipline, but honestly, his strength is attacking the line. He absolutely destroys screens and end arounds. He flies to the ball and loves to hit. Explosive athlete. His blitzing is a thing of beauty.

@KontradictioN compared him to Chung, and I think that's right on the money. I will say, however, that Peppers is significantly quicker and more disruptive in coverage, despite the low interception totals. I loved Chung coming out of Oregon, and I'm glad he's on this team, but Peppers simply has a higher ceiling.

His punt return, rushing, and receiving skills are pretty special. I don't think he has the top end speed people assume (I'm guessing more of a mid 4.4 guy rather than a 4.3 type), but his lateral movement, body control, and power are impressive. Exciting to watch! Even when he only gets a few yards, you can see the threat he poses on returns. It's a lot of pressure on the opposing coverage.

Overall, it's easy to see Peppers stepping in and thriving in our defense. I'd prefer him in the 2nd--I'd like a DE, personally--but I wouldn't complain about pick 32. Harmon will probably leave, and I'm not terribly high on Jordan Richards as a Chung backup. Peppers could be our 3rd safety and take over return duties. We have McCourty for the deep single-high, so we could use Peppers in a way that highlights his strengths. He's far more polished than people are giving him credit for in this thread, and the criticisms are likely due to the role he was asked to play, and not his actual ability. Last year he logged plenty of quality coverage snaps, and I'm quite comfortable saying he'll do just fine in the NFL.

 

[fightingirish595]

I went back and watched about 10 games from Peppers (several from this year, and a few from last year), to try to reevaluate Peppers due to this thread. His coverage is not as bad as people make it out to be; he's actually pretty lockdown in man to man coverage, and smothers TEs and RBs on short and intermediate routes. In fact, last year he was used extensively at outside corner, and has press man experience. Physically, he fits the bill, with the size, quick feet, and hip flexibility to stay with the WR down the field. Sometimes he lost the ball in the air, though, and the receiver was able to pull in a catch despite Peppers being in good position.

The biggest problem I saw with Peppers this year is that he's a step late in cover 2. He was used so frequently at linebacker that the few times they flexed him back to safety, he still peered into the backfield when his responsibility probably should have been to get into the deep half for post routes. Without knowing the defensive call, however, it's tough to say definitively. I think he could improve his discipline, but honestly, his strength is attacking the line. He absolutely destroys screens and end arounds. He flies to the ball and loves to hit. Explosive athlete. His blitzing is a thing of beauty.

@KontradictioN compared him to Chung, and I think that's right on the money. I will say, however, that Peppers is significantly quicker and more disruptive in coverage, despite the low interception totals. I loved Chung coming out of Oregon, and I'm glad he's on this team, but Peppers simply has a higher ceiling.

His punt return, rushing, and receiving skills are pretty special. I don't think he has the top end speed people assume (I'm guessing more of a mid 4.4 guy rather than a 4.3 type), but his lateral movement, body control, and power are impressive. Exciting to watch! Even when he only gets a few yards, you can see the threat he poses on returns. It's a lot of pressure on the opposing coverage.

Overall, it's easy to see Peppers stepping in and thriving in our defense. I'd prefer him in the 2nd--I'd like a DE, personally--but I wouldn't complain about pick 32. Harmon will probably leave, and I'm not terribly high on Jordan Richards as a Chung backup. Peppers could be our 3rd safety and take over return duties. We have McCourty for the deep single-high, so we could use Peppers in a way that highlights his strengths. He's far more polished than people are giving him credit for in this thread, and the criticisms are likely due to the role he was asked to play, and not his actual ability. Last year he logged plenty of quality coverage snaps, and I'm quite comfortable saying he'll do just fine in the NFL.

IF he blows up the combine there is no way he falls outside of the top 20. People forget he was a corner coming out of high school and his position switch had nothing to do with ability. 26 targets out of how many snaps that he played?

 

[fightingirish595]

A year with BB coaching him, and he will just be fine. Same with Cyrus Jones

BB isnt going to teach Cyrus anything Nick Saban couldnt have

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

BB isnt going to teach Cyrus anything Nick Saban couldnt have

Hightower took almost two years before he was effective for us. Sometimes, players just take time.

 

[long distance]

I went back and watched about 10 games from Peppers (several from this year, and a few from last year), to try to reevaluate Peppers due to this thread. His coverage is not as bad as people make it out to be; he's actually pretty lockdown in man to man coverage, and smothers TEs and RBs on short and intermediate routes. In fact, last year he was used extensively at outside corner, and has press man experience. Physically, he fits the bill, with the size, quick feet, and hip flexibility to stay with the WR down the field. Sometimes he lost the ball in the air, though, and the receiver was able to pull in a catch despite Peppers being in good position.

The biggest problem I saw with Peppers this year is that he's a step late in cover 2. He was used so frequently at linebacker that the few times they flexed him back to safety, he still peered into the backfield when his responsibility probably should have been to get into the deep half for post routes. Without knowing the defensive call, however, it's tough to say definitively. I think he could improve his discipline, but honestly, his strength is attacking the line. He absolutely destroys screens and end arounds. He flies to the ball and loves to hit. Explosive athlete. His blitzing is a thing of beauty.

@KontradictioN compared him to Chung, and I think that's right on the money. I will say, however, that Peppers is significantly quicker and more disruptive in coverage, despite the low interception totals. I loved Chung coming out of Oregon, and I'm glad he's on this team, but Peppers simply has a higher ceiling.

His punt return, rushing, and receiving skills are pretty special. I don't think he has the top end speed people assume (I'm guessing more of a mid 4.4 guy rather than a 4.3 type), but his lateral movement, body control, and power are impressive. Exciting to watch! Even when he only gets a few yards, you can see the threat he poses on returns. It's a lot of pressure on the opposing coverage.

Overall, it's easy to see Peppers stepping in and thriving in our defense. I'd prefer him in the 2nd--I'd like a DE, personally--but I wouldn't complain about pick 32. Harmon will probably leave, and I'm not terribly high on Jordan Richards as a Chung backup. Peppers could be our 3rd safety and take over return duties. We have McCourty for the deep single-high, so we could use Peppers in a way that highlights his strengths. He's far more polished than people are giving him credit for in this thread, and the criticisms are likely due to the role he was asked to play, and not his actual ability. Last year he logged plenty of quality coverage snaps, and I'm quite comfortable saying he'll do just fine in the NFL.

Kudos, reamer!

I don't know about #32 . but I certainly wouldn't mind having Chung with better speed and lateral range with elite return qualities on top of it on the team, no matter what pick. Its such an important position in this D and the direction the game is going.

But Id guess he has a long and winding road to reach that status, and college multitasking stars like him can hit some big obstacles..

 

[luuked]

Kudos, reamer!

I don't know about #32 . but I certainly wouldn't mind having Chung with better speed and lateral range with elite return qualities on top of it on the team, no matter what pick. Its such an important position in this D and the direction the game is going.

But Id guess he has a long and winding road to reach that status, and college multitasking stars like him can hit some big obstacles..

Ideally, we get a high pick for Jimmy G and then trade down and snowball those picks into a situation where we can afford to pick Peppers. That being said, I am more concerned about replacing Harmon (if he leaves) than almost anything else with coverage LB the only thing higher on the list. While infusing young players at DE is important I feel like we still have a year until it becomes a big need.