Chicago Bears
Julius Peppers - #90 - DE
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 7"/ 287 lbs. |
| Birthday | 01/18/1980 |
| Birthplace | Wilson, NC |
| College | North Carolina |
| Years played | 12 |
| Drafted | 2002, 1st round, 2nd pick by Panthers |
Mathis, Winfield fined
Colts DE Robert Mathis and Vikings CB Antoine Winfield were fined this week for hits in Week 15 games.
Three-and-out with Bears ORT JāMarcus Webb
We caught up rookie ORT J'Marcus Webb earlier this week to get his take on how he has developed during the season and the Jets' defense.
Bears agree to keep training camp at Olivet Nazarene
The Bears announced Thursday that they have signed an agreement with Olivet Nazarene University to keep training camp on the college's campus through 2012.
Smith must emphasize magnitude of final two games
if Lovie Smith allows himself, his staff or his players to get too content with what they've accomplished, their season could come to a less-than-satisfying finish.
Jets-Bears matchup of the day: Wednesday
Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Martz said Wednesday that they don't plan to steer completely clear of Jets CB Darrelle Revis on Sunday.
They said it: Bears edition
Here's what Lovie Smith, Mike Martz and Greg Olsen are saying in advance of the Bears' Week 16 game against the Jets.
Jets-Bears matchup of the day: Tuesday
Jets ORT Wayne Hunter could find himself lined up across from one of the league's best pass rushers in his fourth career start.
60-second rant: First-round bye in sight for Bears
The No. 2 seed in the NFC is far from locked up and the Bears' toughest stretch of games may still be ahead of them.
Did Julius Peppers earn his paycheck in Week 15?
It wasn't one of his top performances of the season, but, like he's done virtually every week, Peppers made enough of a contribution to justify his salary against the Vikings.
Lovie Smith hot-seat meter: Freezing
Chicago has secured the NFC North title and at least one home playoff game, which means Lovie Smith will be coaching the team when the 2011 season begins.
Bears players of the week
Jay Cutler's three touchdowns and Devin Hester's punt return for a TD helped the Bears clinch the NFC North with a win over the Vikings.
Favre knocked out; Bears clinch division
Brett Favre's surprise return ended quickly and Devin Hester set an NFL record with his 14th career return for a touchdown, leading the Chicago Bears to a 40-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night at snowy TCF ...
Favre hurt again after making unexpected start
Brett Favre, who unexpectedly made his 298th career start against Chicago on Monday night after having been designated as "out" earlier in the week, left the game in the second quarter with a possible concussion and a left shoulder injury ...
Vikings-Bears prediction
The snow, a stadium and playing-surface controversy, Brett Favre playing ... "Monday Night Football" has gotten a little more interesting in the past week.
PLAYER NEWS
Peppers is going to the Pro Bowl. The Bears said Monday that Peppers had been added to the roster for Sunday's game in Hawaii, replacing Jason Pierre-Paul of the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants. It will be Peppers' seventh appearance in the all-star game.|||||||
Peppers had 27 tackles, 11 sacks, five tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season. The 10-year NFL veteran has reached double-digit sacks in seven seasons. Five other Bears were named to the Pro Bowl: linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, running back Matt Forte and defensive backs Corey Graham and Charles Tillman.
Peppers is starting for the Chicago Bears against the Minnesota Vikings after being listed as doubtful because of a sprained left knee.|||||||
Peppers was injured in Monday's loss at Detroit and did not practice all week.
The Chicago Bears hope to have Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers available this week against Minnesota after he mildly sprained his left knee. Peppers was injured in the first half of Monday's loss at Detroit and briefly left the game.|||||||
Coach Lovie Smith says the knee was "still sore" Wednesday, but he will "hopefully" be able to practice Friday and play this week.
The Chicago Bears have restructured Peppers' contract to create more salary-cap room for next season.|||||||
Peppers signed a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million a year ago, was due a $10.5 million roster bonus for next season. Instead, the team exercised its right to convert that money into a signing bonus and prorate it over the remaining years of his contract, which runs through the 2015 season. That saves roughly $8 million in cap space for next season, giving the Bears more room to bring in free agents and retain their own.
Peppers has some steep competition Sunday in his return to Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Jordan Gross is a 2008 Pro Bowl pick, anchoring an offensive line that last season allowed DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to become the first teammates to each rush for over 1,100 yards.|||||||
There will be few surprises when they meet on Sunday. Gross has seen all of Peppers' moves and Peppers knows Gross' strengths and weaknesses. "Me and Jordan, we helped each other grow as players a lot," Peppers said, "practicing against each other and having those training camp battles."