Keeping up with Pep

if that's the case it would be a pretty clear sign that whoever is responsible for hiring needs to get UNhired. Much like the person who is paid to make sure our players stretch out frequently and properly so they don't keep getting hammy injuries and shite like that. :headbashingagainstwallthingy:

 

The weight thing may be affecting him, but the main reason he's disappearing is that opposing teams are devoting much more attention to stopping him. He actually wasn't double-teamed that often in the past, but now teams almost always at least chip him at the line and take away that outside rush that has been his strongest weapon. He still has to learn how to use his hands to control the tackle on an inside move.

 

• Barber, who surpassed 10,000 yards rushing during the game, said the Giants took aim at star defensive end Julius Peppers in the running game. But it wasn't an act of disrespect.

"It's actually easier to run at him, because he's harder to cut off on the backside," said Barber. "If you run away from him, he's going to chase you down."

 

Plus add to the fact that teams hold the hell out of him during every play and don't get called for it.

 

Last 5 games:

Tkl: 9
Ast: 2
Sack: 0
Int: 0
FF: 0
FR: 0

 

Time to start thinking about a younger, faster DE for the future to bookend things. Rucker has lost a few gears, and is simply not getting the job done (particularly seeing how Pep is ALWAYS the one receiving the max protect attention).

 

That's what I thought, but the D immediately went downhill when he went out of the game.

If Rucker's knee is not just a little tweak, I sure hope they IR him and bring up McClover. AND PLAY HIM.

As to the holding on Pep, lets stop whining about that. Every good DE gets held. We hold the opposing DEs. Its part of the game now. If he wants to be effective, he needs to eat properly, keep his weight up, and get through the holds. Or make them tackle him. That will get called.