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Matthews and Peppers agree to meet with the NFL

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Julius Peppers & Clay Matthews

Julius Peppers & Clay Matthews

According to an ESPN report, Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, have agreed to meet with NFL investigators.  The league threatened suspension if the players didn’t agree to discuss steroid allegations related to an Al-Jazeera report in January.

Former Packers linebacker Mike Neal, a current free agent, has yet to agree to meet with the league.

According ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Harrison will meet Aug. 29 at the team facility.  The date(s) for Matthews and Peppers has not been revealed.

Earlier, the NFLPA had issued statements to the league on behalf of the players.  But the NFL says the players have an obligation to submit to an interview but also the duty to provide meaningful responses to the questions posed.

 

Peppers says he’s returning for 2016

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Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

After taking some time to think about his future, veteran linebacker Julius Peppers told the Detroit Free Press that he plans to return to the Green Bay Packers for the 2016 season.

Following the Packers playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Peppers told reporters he wasn’t prepared to make that decision.

Peppers had 37 combined tackles, 10 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Packers 12th ranked defense.  Peppers is set to count $10.5 million against the cap in 2016, the final year of his contract.

Its expected the Packers will likely monitor Peppers’ reps in practice next season in order to keep him fresh.

Peppers added to Pro Bowl

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Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers has been added to the Pro Bowl roster on Monday.  Peppers replaces Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who is unable to participate due to advancing to the Super Bowl.

This is Peppers ninth trip to the Pro Bowl (2004-06, 2008-12) and first as a member of the Packers.  He recorded 10.5 sacks (team high), 42  tackles (31 solo), two forced fumbles (tied for team lead), eight QB hits and 19 pressures (third on team) during the regular season.

It marked Peppers ninth season with ten-plus sacks, which tied John Randle for the fourth-most 10-sack seasons since 1982 (Bruce Smith, 13/ Reggie White, 12 / Kevin Greene, 10).

With 136 career sacks, Peppers is tied with Jared Allen for the most sacks among active players (136) and the ninth most in NFL history (since 1982).

Joining Peppers on the Pro Bowl squad is Clay Matthews, Josh Sitton and John Kuhn.  Aaron Rodgers was voted to the team but pulled out because of injury.

 

 

Packers pass test with flying colors

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Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde

Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles was supposed to be a measuring stick for the Green Bay Packers.  Afterall, they had yet to beat a team considered to be a solid playoff contender yet this season.  Their test against the Eagles was supposed to give us some answers about Mike McCarthy’s team.

There’s still more tests to take and more measuring to be done, but the Packers passed their first test with flying colors, rolling to a 53-20 win over the Eagles at Lambeau Field.

The Packers put together 50+ point performances in each of the last two games and that is a franchise record.

Aaron Rodgers passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns, extending his streak of touchdown passes without an interception in home games to 29.  Rodgers has thrown 322 consecutive passes at home without throwing a pick, surpassing New England Patriot Tom Brady’s record of 288 for the longest streak in NFL history. [Read more…]

Peppers named NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week

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Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers has been named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Peppers had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown, a half-sack and three tackles in the Packers’ 42-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday night.

Peppers became the only player in NFL history with at least 100 sacks (120) and 10 interceptions (10).

Peppers was part of a defensive unit that registered six sacks, two interceptions and a 45.8 opponent passer rating against the Vikings.  Green Bay allowed just 299 total net yards, including 188 passing.

In his 13th year from North Carolina, this is Peppers’ sixth career Player of the Week Award and first as a member of the Packers.

Former Badger Russell Wilson was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week and San Francisco kicker Phil Dawson is the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week.

 

Packers blow out Vikings at Lambeau

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Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

Minnesota decided not to risk playing Teddy Bridgewater on the slipper turf at Lambeau Field and his replacement, Christian Ponder, had no chance against the Packers.  Green Bay scored the games first 42 points and went on to beat Minnesota 42-10 before 78,054 at Lambeau Field.

The Packers got their running game going, rushing for 156 yards (5.6 ypc) as a team.  Eddie Lacy had 13 carries for 105 yards (8.1 ypc) and two touchdowns.

Mike McCarthy improved to 13-4-1 against the Vikings and the Green Bay Packers moved to 8-1-1 against Minnesota since 2010.

After punting on their first possession, Mike McCarthy decided to give the ball to Eddie Lacy.  Lacy had gains of 18, 29 and 6 yards on three straight carries.  It set up Randall Cobb’s 8-yard touchdown reception, his 6th touchdown grab of the season. [Read more…]

Perry looking to change his fortune with the Packers (Video)

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After being picked in the first round of the 2012 by the Green Bay Packers, things went south for outside linebacker Nick Perry.

Perry had to deal with injury problems during his first two seasons, which meant he failed to meet the high expectations of a top pick.

Perry played in just six games as a rookie before a wrist injury forced him into season ending surgery.  Then in year number two, Perry missed five games after suffering a foot injury against Baltimore (Oct. 13).  He returned to play that season, but struggled to make any impact.

Perry is hoping to change his poor fortune in 2014.  After missing all of the offseason and starting Training Camp on the P.U.P. list with foot and knee issues, Perry returned to practice for first time today (Thursday).

Just where Perry will fit into the picture this season is unclear.  The signing of Julius Peppers adds to the mix and Mike Neal played well in his new OLB role last season, is returning to that spot again this year.

AUDIO: Perry is asked if he’s humbled by the experience :21

The most important thing for Perry is to stay healthy.  The only way he can put his injury history behind him and start to live up to the billing of a first round pick is to be available.

Perry looks to be off to a good start.  He played fast on defense during his first practice and won some battles during 1-on-1 pass rush drills.

Check out the following video.  Perry is the final in the sequence of three 1-on-1 matchups and he handled starting left tackle David Bahktiari in this particular matchup.

Peppers feels right at home

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Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

The Green Bay Packers return from a mandated off day yesterday and hit the practice field for the fourth time in training camp this morning.

Newly signed DE/outside linebacker Julius Peppers is trying to put his playing days in Chicago behind him.  Talking with reporters on Monday, Peppers tried to avoid comparisons between the Packers and Bears.

The Packers are asking Peppers to play as a pass rushing outside linebacker as opposed to a hand-on-the-ground defensive end in Chicago.  They’re also not asking Peppers to shoulder the entire load for the defense, something that he’s had to do in Chicago.

Peppers also gets an opportunity to help the Packers win another Super Bowl, something that has eluded Peppers since he was taken with the second overall pick in 2002 by the Carolina Panthers. [Read more…]

A busy day at Lambeau Field – Finley takes the next step

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A few hundred fans greeted the Green Bay Packers today as they team held its first “Open to the Public” OTA workout on Ray Nitschke Field,

Julius Peppers works during today's OTA

Julius Peppers works during today’s OTA

and it was a busy day both on and off the field.

Clinton-Dix Contract

Packers rookie first-round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has reportedly agreed to a contract with the team.  While financial terms weren’t available, it’s likely a four-year deal and could include a club optional fifth year.

Clinton-Dix was taken with the 21st pick in the first round.  Last year’s 21st pick, Cincinnati tight end Tyler Eifert, sighed a four-year deal worth $8.256 million and received a signing bonus worth $4.38 million.

Jermichael Finley

While Jermichael Finley’s locker inside the Green Bay lockerroom still has his name plate above, Finley is an unrestricted free agent and after more tests, has been cleared for football activities.

Finley’s agent, Blake Baratz told ProFootballTalk.com that Finley has a team visit lined up for Friday, but declined to unveil that team. [Read more…]

Packers GM excited about Peppers signing

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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