Peppers ready to spice it up
Versatile safety cites Belichick, Judge as draws to New England
During his introductory press conference Tuesday, veteran safety Jabrill Peppers needed only two words to explain why he signed a free-agent contract with the Patriots.
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Culture and scheme. “It’s no secret the dynasty that New England has been,” the 25-year-old said via Zoom. “I wanted to come learn from Bill (Belichick). It’s familiarity with the system, as I’ve played for a couple of his descendants. And Joe Judge, I have a familiarity there. I love Joe. He came back to New England, and I wanted to come join him.”
Judge, reportedly the Patriots’ next quarterbacks coach, coached Peppers during his two-year tenure with the Giants that ended last January. Last season, Peppers was limited to six games after partially tearing his ACL in October. Peppers said he’s yet to experience a setback in his recovery, which could put him on track to participate in training camp.
Over his last full year in New York, the highly athletic safety set career highs in tackles (91), pass breakups (11) and sacks (2.5) playing in a system devised by onetime Pats assistant and Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Peppers repeatedly mentioned his desire to be a versatile piece in Belichick’s defense.
“His understanding of the game, what he’s done for the game, the moment that I had an opportunity to come learn from (Belichick),” Peppers said, “I definitely wanted to jump at it.”
After starting his career as a first-round free safety in Cleveland, Peppers moved closer to the line of scrimmage with the Giants. During the 2020 season, he played more than 300 snaps inside the box, more than 200 over the slot and another 143 at free safety, per Pro Football Focus. He now adds to one of the team’s best and deepest positions, with Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips all back after starting last year.
“I just want to go into that safety room and be another asset that they can move around, disguise looks, different things,” Peppers said. “It’s great having guys with similar skill sets because you can confuse opposing coaches and quarterbacks.”
Competing against the Patriots during joint practices last summer, Peppers said he noticed how well conditioned and disciplined the team was. But nowadays nothing, he claimed, has surprised him about how the team operates.
Peppers signed a one-year contract worth $2 million last month that includes $1.35 million guaranteed and an extra $3 million in playing-time incentives. He should be in the mix to return punts, after former Patriots punt returner Gunner Olszewski left for a freeagent deal with the Steelers.
“Whatever the team needs me to do,” Peppers said. “I’m a guy who likes having the ball in my hands, and hopefully making some impact plays with it. But at the end of the day, it’s whatever they need me to do.”
Report: Alabama WR visits NE
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III completed a pre-draft visit with the Patriots on Tuesday, according to reporter Jordan Schultz.
Metchie is a projected second-round pick who met with the Patriots at the NFL Combine and later said the meeting went “really well.” He caught 96 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns last season before tearing his ACL in December during the SEC championship game. At the combine,
Metchie also told reporters he expects to be cleared by June and participate in training camp.
Because of his injury, Metchie did not run during the draft process, though he’s described as a sufficiently athletic prospect with plus body control and outstanding skills as a routerunner. Alabama coach Nick Saban once called Metchie “the epitome of what you look for in a wide receiver.” At 5-foot-11, 189 pounds, Metchie has experience playing outside and in the slot.
In 2020, he totaled 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns catching passes from current Patriots quarterback Mac Jones . If reunited, Metchie believes he and Jones “would be special.”
“Mac and I are really close,” Metchie said at the combine. “He was my quarterback that year, so Mac and I got along really well.
We spent a lot of time together my freshman year … so we have a lot of chemistry back there.”
Metchie is also reportedly scheduled to meet with the Jaguars on Thursday after visiting Buffalo on Monday.
According to Schultz, the Patriots have a workout scheduled with backup Alabama slot receiver Slade Bolden on Wednesday. Per the Pro Football Network, the Pats will host Georgia running back James Cook on a pre-draft visit. The 5-foot11, 199-pound back is considered a strong pass catcher and rushed for 728 yards and seven touchdowns last year at a 6.4 yards per carry average.
Source: King signs with Colts
Former Patriots special teamer Brandon King agreed to a one-year free-agent contract with the Colts on Tuesday, a source told the
Herald.
King, 28, made a successful return last year after missing two straight seasons due to injury. He finished with 10 tackles, all recorded on special teams. King joined the Patriots originally as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2015.
He played exclusively on special teams from 20152018, before logging the first and only two defensive snaps of his career last season.