Julius Peppers has been known to take plays off here and there. Now, the Green Bay Packers are considering just removing him from the field on occasion.
It’s the less is more theory.
Peppers is 35 and although he still played at a high level in 2014, he’s certainly no spring chicken. The coaching staff may limit Peppers’ snaps in order to keep him fresh, with an eye on him making an impact at crucial points within the game and, more importantly, late in the season and in the playoffs.
Julie seems to be buying into the idea.
“It’s a tough call,” he said. “As a player, I don’t want to come off the field. But obviously, when I’m out there and if I’m playing less and I could save a little energy certain times of the game, maybe I could be more productive and more efficient in those situations.
“We just have to figure it out. We’ll figure something out and hopefully it will work.”
So where does that leave the Packers defense when Peppers is off the field?
Fortunately, they have some options.
Clay Matthews can shift outside, which would bring either Nate Palmer or Jake Ryan on at inside linebacker. Or the Packers can bring in someone like Mike Neal or Jayrone Elliott to pair with Nick Perry outside and leave Matthews inside.
Depth provides options and it appears the Packers have plenty of it on defense this season.
Ultimately, we expect that unit to hold up just fine with Peppers in a reduced role. And he’ll be more important as a playmaker at the end of the season anyway, if this year turns out like we all expect it will.