The Julius Peppers Interview We Would Love to See

Julius Peppers is known as much for his reticence as his extraordinary physical skills.

He’s also a focal point for the Carolina Panthers as the 2009 season approaches. Peppers has yet to sign Carolina’s offer sheet and previously expressed his desire to be traded to a team using the 3-4 defense.

With tongue firmly in cheek, we’ve taken the liberty of providing a mock interview with Peppers.

We’re playing a little shoulda/coulda, too, providing the politically correct answers along with what we feel Peppers could say minus a few of society’s barriers.

It should be noted that no attempt was made to contact Mr. Peppers for an interview.

Question: Julius, do you have a timetable set for signing Carolina’s offer sheet? A million dollars per regular season game seems incentive enough.

What he should say:  You know, I’m a firm believer that everything has its time and place. The contract situation will work out in due time. I have the utmost respect for the Carolina organization, from the trainers all the way to the owner, Mr. Richardson. It’s obviously not about the money.  It will all work out.

What he could say: Hey, I told these cats that I didn’t want to play for them. And now I haven’t signed the offer sheet. Can’t these people take a hint? What more do I have to do? Go to Canada or something?

Q: What one person in the Panthers organization do you most admire and respect?

What he should say: Mr. Richardson, hands down. He’s a classy guy, a real gentleman.

What he could say: Mr. Richardson, hands down. He’s a class guy, a real gentleman.

Q:  After Mike Minter retired, Mr. Richardson publicly called you out as someone who needed to take a more active leadership role with the Panthers. How did you feel about that?

What he should say: I have a lot of respect for Mr. Richardson. He has every right to call out one of his players.  We all should take a more active leadership role, and I’ll do my best to hold up my end.

What he could say:Dang, man. Leadership? How about 14.5 sacks last season? How’s that for leadership? These are grown men playing a child’s game for millions of dollars. And they need someone to take them by the hand? Pleeaasseee!

If they need me to treat ‘em like schoolboys then maybe it’s time to look for another profession. Leadership? Are you kidding me?

Q: Let’s talk about the trade request. How adamant are you on making that happen?

What he should say: Well, that’s certainly something that’s been mentioned. I’ve enjoyed my time with the Carolina Panthers and, again, have the utmost respect for the entire organization.

If a trade happened, then I certainly could live with that. And if it doesn’t happen, I could see myself staying with the Panthers for the rest of my career. I’ll do my best to retain my professionalism regardless of where I’m playing. Any team that has Julius Peppers on its roster will get 100 percent of Julius Peppers.

What he could say: I’m so anxious to get out of here that I can hardly stand it. I was born in North Carolina, grew up here, went to college here, and I’ve spent my entire career here. I love it and will always be a Carolina man at heart. But, dang, it’s time to expand my horizons a little.

My agent has worked hard to help the Panthers make a trade but we’re not getting a lot of cooperation from the organization. I guess my leadership skills are too valuable here. (Hearty laugh.)

Q: What about the 3-4 defense? You expressed a desire to play in that system, but how important is it to you?

What he should say: That’s certainly a defense I could see myself playing, but coach Fox is a big fan of the 4-3 and that’s something that’s his decision. I’ll play wherever they want, and I’ll do whatever they ask me to do. 

What he could say: Hey, man, it’s time to shake things up a little. We’re close to being one of the top three or four defenses in the NFL. Look at our defensive starters and tell me there’s not talent on the field. By and large, we’re young, fast and aggressive. And our problem is we’ve become too predictable in recent seasons—on both sides of the ball.

Q: Why do you think you personally would thrive in a 3-4 alignment?

What he should say: I would really rather move on to another topic.

What he could say: If you had a Ferrari Testarossa, would you only drive it to church on Sundays?

Q: You’re known as being reluctant to talk to the media. Why is that?

What he should say: Well, we’re all different, and I’m just not that comfortable talking about myself. I would rather my teammates get the attention. I would prefer to be home, all alone, holed up with a good book.

What he could say: Because of guys like you who ask too many questions. So what about your latest contract—you signed yet?

Journalist: I don’t think we need to go there.

Peppers: See what I mean.