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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Here's a nice piece of trivia for you this weekend. Who are the only two men to have played in both the NCAA Final Four and the NFL's Super Bowl?

That would be Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers.

Peppers would like the two guys to have something else in common on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte. He'd like them both to spend a lot of time on the ground together in the Eagles backfield. Donovan -- not so much.

Julius (who was named after Dr. J) is the right defensive end for the Panthers, but he likes to move around, shifiting to the left side sometimes, standing up and jokering his way along the defensive line looking for an opening sometimes.

At least to start the game, he should be lined up against left tackle Jason Peters, but Julius can read a scouting report. Expect him to test Shawn Andrews on the other side fairly quickly.

Here's a prediction that wouldn't surprise me at all if it comes true. Shawn Andrews will be just fine in this game. He's a beast when he's right and, although that hasn't been the case for more than a year, he appears to be OK now. That's what he says. That's how he looks. That's what the coaches say. So, until further notice, he's OK.

Where the problem may arise Sunday is with Peters. He has looked extremely ordinary since arriving in Philadelphia. As weird as things have been with Shawn Andrews, my greatest concern for the offensive line -- and that covers a bunch of problems -- is with Peters.

Peppers will tell you where the weak link is. By the second quarter, he'll have it figured out and that's where he'll be lining up.

If nothing else, Peppers is a motivated man. He asked to be traded to a 3-4 defense during the offseason because he thinks outside linebacker is the place for him to extend his career. The Panthers didn't accomodate him. In fact, they put the franchise tag on him, which didn't please Peppers all that much. But he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and the NFL appears to be headed into an uncapped year in 2010. That means Julius Peppers isn't just playing for contract. He's playing for CONTRACT!

Motivation is a wonderful thing in sports, but it might not be so good to be lined up opposite Peppers this season. Peters and Andrews have the first chance to enjoy that experience, with Peters having the job of protecting McNabb's blind side. Watch your back, Don. 

Posted by Bob Ford @ 10:04 AM  Permalink | 10 comments
10
Comments   
Posted 11:52 AM, 09/10/2009
bigtbone
We don't need Tra Thomas or Jon Runyan. Yeah Right !!
Posted 03:32 PM, 09/10/2009
FireChief
Yep, "D" had better have his head on a swivel for shure, but if Peters has a decent game then so will the Birds!!!
Posted 03:33 PM, 09/10/2009
LJL
For a team that's the "gold standard" and has the "best roster" in the league, they sure are doing a lot of dumpster-diving in the last two weeks before opening day. This team is a mess.
Posted 03:37 PM, 09/10/2009
CSpangler
A mess? Have you seen Carolina scrambling? They cant even field a PR for the game on Sunday down here. You idiots spend too much time in the fishbowl looking for something to complain about. Wow Eagles fans suck.
Posted 04:00 PM, 09/10/2009
andrewfrombrooklyn
Panthers 33, Eagles 13. Igs will finish 8-8. It's going to be a long, sad season, and I'll have to watch up close as the Giants go to the Super Bowl. How long till pitchers and catchers?
Posted 04:14 PM, 09/10/2009
George Jacobs
Don't worry about Peppers and Carolina's D. Donovan will put some points on the board -- if they are on the field that long. Carolina is going to run the ball right through the Eagles D. Omar Gaithers? Joe Mays? Carolina 31 - Eagles 17.
Posted 05:09 PM, 09/10/2009
Harris Smith
Gee, I didn't know that Donovan puked at the Final Four, too !!
Posted 05:09 PM, 09/10/2009
Paul SoTX
Hey George, the Carolina O-line has to block Patterson and Bunkley before the RB's get a shot at Gaither. I don't think they can do it. I think the Birds score early and often, Delhomme has to pass a lot, he gets swamped by a hugh pass rush and the game gets ugly. Final score = 38-10 Eagles!
Posted 06:00 PM, 09/10/2009
stupidgurl
Peppers has been on a steady decline for a while,eagles 27-17
Posted 06:55 PM, 09/10/2009
shipu56
Harris Smith, nice one. That was pretty good.
About Bob Ford
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
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