Peppers

Fox: Sacks aren't measure for Peppers
Coach John Fox isn't worried that defensive end Julius Peppers doesn't have a sack yet in the Panthers' first two games.

"I think Julius has played exceptionally well this year," said Fox on Friday, two days before the Panthers play at Minnesota. "I've said this before. Way too much is made of sacks, way too much. I don't know how else to say it. Great players make Super Bowl runs and have only two sacks. It's a team game and there's more to it than sacks."

Peppers, the team's all-time sacks leader with 56.0, had just 2.5 last season. He continues to be double- and sometimes triple-teamed. Also, Fox said the offensive style of the Panthers' first two opponents -- San Diego and Chicago -- might have played a role in Peppers' not getting to the quarterback. The Chargers and Bears both favor quick releases and play-action passes from their quarterbacks, rather than wide-open passing attacks.

The last time the Panthers played at Minnesota (in 2006), Peppers had three sacks and five quarterback pressures.

"That might not have been his best game, but it was one of his better games," Fox said.

-- David Scott

Posted by Observer Sports on September 19, 2008 at 01:03 PM

 

I could be blind or stupid, but I rewatched a good amount of the San Diego game looking for this yesterday and didn't see him get doubled once.

 

I didn't notice it against the Chargers either, but the Bears did double him a fair amount.

 

I didn't see him drop into coverage but a couple times this year. We're not zoning that much and really didn't blitz Chicago that much at all anyway.

 

He was dropped quite a few times against San Diego, less so against Chicago.