Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson met with the media on Thursday at his annual say nothing pre-draft press

Ted Thompson

Ted Thompson

conference.  Thompson didn’t divulge anything with regards to next weeks draft, he did talk about the acquisition of pass rushing defensive end Julius Peppers.

Thompson was asked about Peppers age (34) and whether or not he is slowing down.

“Well, 34 is not so old,” said Thompson.  “There’s no evidence of any decline in his play, in our opinion.  He still has the same athletic traits that he had coming out.  He’s had a remarkable history in the NFL in terms of durability.  We’re looking forward to it.  I think he is too.”

In 12 NFL seasons, Peppers has recorded 119 quarterback sacks, 40 forced fumbles and nine interceptions.  Last year in Chicago, Peppers had 7.5 sacks, his lowest total since 2007.  Chicago’s run defense allowed a NFL-high 5.3 yards per carry.

As for those that say Thompson doesn’t do anything in free agency, Thompson said….”We’ve always dabbled in free agency.  Sometimes you can spend a lot of time and effort recruiting a guy, which we’ve done in the past, and nothing comes of it, and nothing comes out publicly and people assume we didn’t try to do something.  We almost always, almost every offseason, try to do something in free agency, certainly with our own guys but also with guys around the league.”

AUDIO: At 34, Thompson thinks Peppers has plenty left in the tank :20

AUDIO: Thompson to those that think he doesn’t like free agency :17

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