The Ringer calls Jabrill Peppers "Perfect modern defender"
"If you’re a defensive coordinator who doesn’t know what to do with Peppers, perhaps the problem is yours, not his."https://theringer.com/nfl-combine-daily-dispatch-jabrill-peppers-defens…
It's really too bad ESPN had to superhype him every chance they could get. I can't remember a player with so many haters coming out of CFB. Can't wait for him to wreck the NFL and shut these people down.
I think the hype is what comes with playing on the biggest stage, at Michigan. I do think that the hype put him under the microscope with many, and the haters focused in on his flaws. As talented as he was, he did have flaws in his game. I honestly didn't think he lived up to the hype. I loved the way the coaches used him on defense. I wish they mixed it up with him more on offense. I did wonder if they didnt put him in the slot because they didn't want to overwhelm wrt to the playbook or if his hands weren't there.
Three things will always stick with me about his time here. 1) The return against Rutgers. 2) The return against Penn St. where he tripped up at the end. 3) When he taunted the fans in columbus.
The first two were kind of like a microcosm of his time here, electric plays but coming up just a tad short. One or two signaure plays away from being a having a serious shot at the Heisman. As far as #3 is concerned, I remember seeing him taunt the crowd between plays, maybe after his pick and thinking please don't. Just focus on the game and finish this thing out. That seriously bothered me. I'm all for chirping and whatnot, but in that situation, with a shot at the playoffs I felt like every ounce of focus needed to be on finishing the game.
The hype was not because he played on Michigan's 'biggest stage'. It was because every year, ESPN decides on a few select players towards the end of September to jam down viewer's throats the rest of the season. Kenny Hill, Christian McCaffrey, Lamar Jackson, and Peppers most recently.
I'm pretty sure Louisville isn't the 'biggest stage' but that didn't stop ESPN from crowning him the Heisman over Watson despite closing out the season with a blow out loss to Houston and an absolute embarrassment against Kentucky. But it's cool, watch this 360 degree interception he threw, it was electric! More people would be willingly riding the Peppers hype train if ESPN hadn't tried to force people onto the train to begin with.
Lamar had crazy numbers and destroyed FSU. A lot of players that had preseason hype started slow. Cook, McCaffrey, Watson all come to mind. Because of that they had to reach a bit. I don't disagree with ESPN choosing favorites. Tim Tebow is a perfect example of that.
McCafferty in a Pats helmet
As a Peppers fan, if he doesn't get picked early, falling to the Patriots would be perfect for him. He would get at least one Super Bowl ring in his first four years, then he would command incredible money on the FA market.
When has Bill ever drafted someone you actually wanted in the draft...?
And I also find it funny that everyone makes the assumption that Peppers would fit perfect in Bill's system. Do I think he would be an upgrade over Chung? Sure, but Bill does not put much stock in the SS position. Hybrid role?LOL Bill wants his 3-4 OLB to be at least 6-3 and a tackling machine and just enough agility to fill space. Finally where does this hybrid position have a role in the NFL? If Chip Kelly cannot make the spread work in the NFL no one will.
I am obviously rooting for peppers but I think he would be better in a Reggie Bush role in the NFL. Scat back and return specialist.
I would be ecstatic.
Who has hair as good as Polamalu? That's not even a fair comparison...
I don't like the texture of Somoan hair. Hopefully that is not racist.
with haste.
by The Ringer. I think the idea that Peppers can be a box safety and then a free safety on successive plays is exactly the kind of position flexibility that the NFL is going to. We have 230 pound rush specialists, 215 pound strong side linebackers and 200 pound safetys who can play corner on one play and strong safety the next. As long as he stays healthy I really see an all pro career ahead of him.
anyone who likes peppers: smart, i like 'em.
anyone who hates on peppers: dumb, hate 'em, wanna fight 'em.
ringer: i like 'em.
They say end of the first, top half of the second (valenti) and his superstar producer says 4th round. Talk radio is the easiest job in the world...say something stupid, back it up with nothing and have morons with dumber opinions on the radio so you can make your listeners feel smarter.
Anyone saying 4th round has no business analyzing sports let alone the NFL Draft. At least 7 teams are looking at him for their 1st round pick. (Jets, Bills, Saints, Chargers, Steelers, Cardinals, and Patriots).
It doesn't matter where he goes in the draft. Just hope he doesn't sign a long term contract that is a locked in salary over the duration. He will prove he is worth way more than he is paid way sooner than later. He still was the best player in college football this year. That's the fact of the matter. Honestly, who was better or who could do more for their team every single game? No one. If the defense wouldn't have needed him at linebacker, in a perfect world he could've played offense and wouldn't have been touched at running back. Don't give me the whole wild cat scenario when he came in for limited plays. Those situations are no where near the same. The teams will draft their positions of need and if they don't think that in the short time frame that a swiss army knife can benefit them, then that's their thing. Some smart owner and organization will pick up the spoils and in the long run mold him into his positions or position and they'll all thrive.
It was 5'10" and 7/8 so it is only just over an inch.
Look at the picture of him and Charles Woodson.
Woodson was just a touch under 6'1". It was obvious Peppers was about 5'11".
Obi Melifonwu also mentioned in the article. Too bad we couldn't find room for his bro!