FOXBORO – As he slept on the Steelers’ crew lodge earlier than his first recreation again at Gillette Stadium, Jabrill Peppers had a dream.
The veteran security imagined himself forcing a turnover, then elevating his arms to have a good time in entrance of the gang that cheered him on throughout his three seasons as a Patriot.
Early within the second half Sunday, that dream got here true.
Peppers, unexpectedly reduce by New England on Aug. 29, pushed by means of a Mack Hollins block, jarred the ball from Antonio Gibson’s arms after which pounced on the fumble. It was certainly one of 5 Pittsburgh takeaways within the recreation, which the Steelers went on to win 21-14, and a second of triumph for Peppers
“I envisioned it final night time,” a beaming Peppers mentioned postgame. “I positively envisioned it final night time. Let the followers know I miss them, however I’m down with the Metal Curtain now, and I hope to change into a fan favourite there, too.”
After enjoying solely on particular groups one week earlier in his Steelers debut, Peppers began at security in opposition to the Patriots. He tallied six tackles to associate with his fumble restoration, in a key function for a play-making Pittsburgh protection.
Requested if the win meant extra given his current historical past with New England, Peppers replied: “Oh, completely.”
“Completely,” he mentioned. “I wanted this one. I thank each man, coach in right here. We had an ideal week of labor, nice prep. It feels good proper now, I’m not going to lie.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel spent a lot of his first Patriots offseason purging the crew’s established management core, slicing ties with veterans like David Andrews, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jonathan Jones, Deatrich Clever and Joe Cardona. However Peppers, a former crew captain, caught round by means of coaching camp, the preseason and roster cutdown day, projecting as a starter in New England’s new-look protection.
The Patriots, nevertheless, chose to cut Peppers 9 days earlier than their season opener. Jaylinn Hawkins and third-round rookie Craig Woodson have been their main safeties since his launch, with fellow veteran Kyle Dugger and second-year professional Dell Pettus enjoying smaller roles.
Talking with the Herald after his postgame media scrum, Peppers mentioned he didn’t count on to be launched.
“Yeah, I used to be (shocked),” the 29-year-old mentioned. “I’m not going to get into any of the specifics. I don’t need it to be a distraction or flip right into a media factor. I used to be positively shocked, nevertheless it’s the character of this enterprise. Typically you’re not ok. However I positively needed the chance to point out them that I can nonetheless play on this league at a excessive stage, so I believe I did a fairly good job of that at present.”
Requested whether or not he had the rest he’d prefer to share about his exit from New England, Peppers declined.
“Nah, man,” he mentioned. “I’ve acquired a variety of love and respect for these guys, man. You’ll be able to’t combine emotions with enterprise. It’s what it’s. I do know they’ve acquired a variety of powerful selections to make with regards to the roster. They’ve acquired a variety of nice younger gamers over there, acquired a variety of guys who can actually influence the sport. I grinded with these guys. I really like them, and I miss them, however I really like my new residence now, too.”
He added: “I want nothing however success for these guys. They work arduous, they’re well-coached and so they deserve it.”
One other ex-Patriots captain might quickly be becoming a member of Peppers in Pittsburgh’s protection. Bentley, who was reduce in March and remained unsigned for practically six months, signed with the Steelers’ follow squad final week. The linebacker didn’t swimsuit up Sunday however did make the journey to Foxboro.
“I can’t wait,” Peppers mentioned. “I can’t wait. He’s on his personal program, however greatest consider when he steps on the market, too, his presence goes to be felt.”
Peppers’ function additionally might fluctuate shifting ahead – his uptick in snaps Sunday coincided with an harm to beginning security DeShon Elliott, who was inactive – however he mentioned he felt grateful to be again on the sphere.
“(The final month has) been fairly loopy, however I missed this sense of enjoying soccer,” he mentioned. “All of the feelings that go together with it, the preparation that goes with it, the competitors stage – there’s not too many emotions like this while you play within the Nationwide Soccer League week in and week out. It was simply one thing I missed, and I’m completely happy to be again on the market.”
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