GREEN BAY (WITI) -- The last few seasons, the Green Bay Packers have had plenty of offense, but not quite enough defense to last long in the NFL playoffs. This year, in addition to the usual draft additions, the organization thinks it may have found the key ingredient to change that post-season trend.
Contrary to the perception of many, peppers are fruits and not vegetables.
Contrary to the perception of many Chicago Bears observers in recent seasons, Julius Peppers has lots of fresh football left. His new coach and co-workers in Green Bay certainly think so.
"He moves like a young man. Julius is such an impressive person from all angles. Very professional in his approach. Takes great care of himself. You can see that in Phase 1 and Phase 2 -- in the workouts.
"Julius, when I first met him -- I said 'man, I've been watching you since I was 13!' That's crazy! I said 'I'm 24 now!' He was like 'oh man, you make me feel old!' But he's a great guy, and he's a very humble guy from what he has done so far in the NFL and man, this guy has so much knowledge and he's a freakish athlete.
"Him being in Chicago for all these years and getting to see him up close and personal for those two games a year -- yeah, it's something I've always kinda been impressed by. Now, to have him on our side, and see how good of a guy he is and how good of a teammate he is, yeah -- he's already lived up to -- exceeded the hype," A.J. Hawk said.
Peppers came into the NFL all the way back in 2002 as the second overall pick in the draft by the Panthers.
He still dominates Carolina's record books, despite leaving as a free agent in 2010 to sign with the Bears.
His play was solid in Chicago -- if not quite up to the level of his $91.5 million contract.
Once he became a free agent against his winter, he signed with the Packers.
Peppers is 34 years old now, but he's still 6'7" and almost 290 pounds.
Green Bay plans to use him more at outside linebacker than his previous employers did.
"Oh yeah -- he looked comfortable from Day One when he walked in for the off-season workouts. I think you obviously notice his athletic ability right off the bat. He's 34 and he runs like he's 18. If there's ever a genetic freak that was put on this planet, it is Julius. I mean, what a -- just a specimen," Hawk said.
A.J. Hawk is a keen observer of football and sports. He has long had a healthy appreciation for his new teammate.
"I remember Julius from when he was playing basketball at North Carolina. These guys weren't born when he was doing that, but I was watching him. Man, what a stud. I mean, obviously a physical presence that is like no one else in the league," Hawk said.
At this stage in his career, Peppers is not a franchise player, but at the very least, just like his name, he should spice up this year's Packers defense.