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That piss ass 2 1/2 sack season, while getting paid like a superstar (and wanting more) could have had something to do with people's attitude about Peppers. Well, mine anyway.

Don't know if Johnson can reproduce his '10 numbers, but he's the best we have at the moment and is still young. If Hardy keeps coming and Brown gets his shit together we'll be okay. And we'll probably pay the three of them less than Peppers would have been making.

 

You're hopefully aware of how annoyed I get when people make me repeat myself. Hopefully you're also aware of just how many times I've detailed examples of the game's elite DEs having one or two inexplicably shitty seasons.

I like Hardy as a part-timer, and who knows if Brown will ever be anything more than useless, but if CJ signs a reasonable contract then I'm all for it. I'm just concerned that he'll get $10 million plus per, then disappear. I'm of the belief that you can't really overpay superstars, but the worst thing you can do in a hard salary cap is to pay elite prices for average to above average players. We've done that with Gross, Gamble, Wharton, soon Kalil, and so many others in the past.

 

Peppers did always have that 6-10 PD and 1 INT on average. I honestly think that plays like that, that have no translation to bulling a 300 lb man, are part of why Peppers had unrealistic expectations, but this isn't about Peppers. It's about how you could argue his replacement was as good as a player who got POTY hype.

 

Collin, does it annoy you when you have to repeatedly repeat your repeated thoughts?

 

Agree about Gross et all.

 

I wonder what the plan is for RDE this season, assuming CJ is re-signed. I don't think you put Hardy over there, but Brown isn't getting it done. I haven't really paid any attention to what young guys will be available in free agency and might have the talent to make a jump with more playing time.

 

I think Noorwood will be the surprise starter, but there's Kiwanuka out there. Ray Edwards too, but he'll be expensive and plays left end.

 

I'm skeptical about Norwood being capable of bulking up and playing every-down RDE, but I definitely am looking forward to him being utilized more as a situational pass rusher. Kiwanuka would be nice, but I doubt his price tag would be low enough. The injuries might make it possible, though.