Carolina Panthers: All Time Twenty Year Team 2.0

12 of 28

Nov 8, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) stretches prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Left Defensive End – Julius Peppers (2002-2009)

Cue the Tar Heel bias. Well, I am not sure that actually meant anything here. Peppers leads the Panthers in all-time sacks. He forced thirty fumbles and defensed forty-six passes. He had his share of crazy interceptions. At times, the team tried to line him up at receiver.

Panthers fans were guilty at times of wishing for too much from Peppers. He spent a season sick and dropped twenty-five pounds of weight and Panthers fans wondered why he was not playing better. This is the guy who was All-Pro for the Panthers twice and a Pro Bowler three times.

People are not supposed to move so well when they are 6’6” 285 lbs. Peppers was on board for all three of the playoff appearances of the John Fox era and he was a key part of a defensive line that claimed to be the best in football during much of that time.

Peppers left the Panthers for Chicago and big money, and he might have come back if the Packers hadn’t offered him the chance to become an outside linebacker. Peppers left the Panthers on strange terms so it may be unlikely for him to return to the Panthers just to retire. We can hope though.

Next: Left Defensive Tackle

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