Panthers notebook: Peppers takes NFC honor after dominant month
End delivers multiple sacks against three teams, is ‘a big reason why we're 9-3' Fox says.
By Charles Chandler
cchandler@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Dec. 05, 2008
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers/story/394834.html
Julius Peppers' season of redemption continued this week as he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.
The Panthers' defensive end had seven sacks, tying his career high for any month, in leading Carolina to a 3-1 record.
Peppers has 11 sacks, which is tied for seventh overall in the NFL and tied for third among defensive ends.
He has returned to top form after a disappointing 2007 season, when he had a career low 21/2 sacks.
“He's been a big reason why our defense has played consistently over the season,” said Carolina coach John Fox. “I think during this stretch, he's had probably his highest sack total – not that that defines a guy being a good player. But he's been very good, a big reason why we're 9-3.”
During November, Peppers had three sacks against Oakland and two each against Detroit and Green Bay.
Jones on a roll as his former team comes to town
Kick returner Mark Jones might be at the peak of his career so far as he faces his former team Monday night.
Jones was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance at Green Bay last Sunday, when he had three kickoff returns of more than 40 yards.
He is up to 12th in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 26.0-yard average. He ranks seventh in punt returns (11.8).
Jones was a part-time kick returner for Tampa Bay from 2005-07, but his career with the Buccaneers ended after he suffered a knee injury last season.
The Bucs (9-3) play at Carolina (9-3) on Monday night.
“He's a great guy, a great kid. I'm happy for him,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said of Jones. “Hopefully, he takes it easy on us here Monday night.”
Briefly
Gruden was effusive in his praise of Carolina middle linebacker Jon Beason, calling him an “every-down buzz-saw of a linebacker.”
Beason leads the Panthers with 124 tackles and three interceptions.
“I don't know if people are getting national ink for him,” said Gruden. “But he never comes off the field. He plays with such intensity. I've seen him win games for them with effort and just physical play and instinctiveness.
“I just think he's one of the ring leaders for the franchise now and I really think he's an inspiring football player.
“We really like watching him. He's really something.”
Monday's game pits a Tampa Bay defense that has given up one rushing touchdown against a Carolina offense that ranks second in the NFL with 19 running touchdowns.
That is a Panthers' single-season record. Carolina's previous record was 17 in 2005. The Panthers ran for only seven touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.
Buccaneers starting defensive tackle Jovan Haye, a former Panther, did not participate in practice for the second straight day and might not play Monday night.
Haye has 32 tackles, including one for a loss.
The only Carolina players who didn't participate in practice were linebacker Adam Seward (knee) and Hilee Taylor (calf). Linebacker Na'il Diggs (thigh) was limited.
Calendar
