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Green Bay Packers 2015 season grades: Linebackers

By Freddie Boston

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) strips the ball away from Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Packers win 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) strips the ball away from Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Packers win 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers continues to hold back the hands of time. When he was signed by the Packers in free agency ahead of the 2014 season, very few expected him to see out all three years of the contract. After leading the Packers in sacks with 10.5 in 2015, that’s exactly what’s likely to happen.

As expected, the Packers reduced his playing time slightly to keep him fresh, but he produced with 36 pressures to go along with his double-digit sacks. He also forced two fumbles.

Peppers put up 2.5 sacks against Oakland in what was his best performance of the season. Arguably his most important play was the strip sack of Matthew Stafford in Detroit. The Packers were beginning to build momentum and his takeaway led to a Green Bay touchdown which really began to swing the momentum.

At 36-years-old, Peppers’ playtime will likely reduce again in 2016, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to get after the quarterback and make some key plays. His leadership on and off the field is huge and he will finish his stay in Green Bay desperate to finally get hold of a Super Bowl ring.

Grade: B+

Next: Nick Perry

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