Here's the entire transcript of the Julius Peppers’ interview on Monday morninig. By the way, you can now hear the Peppers' interview live by clicking on my podcast at the bottom of the page. (By the way, if you click on it and gives you a message about a Mime file, simply hit "no" and it should pop right up). Check it out:
On Richardson's comments to him about stepping up as a leader: "It wasn't a conversation we had before. I think it kind of got blown up a little bit. It is what it is, I guess."
On his reactions to the comments and if he's comfortable with a leadership role: "I'm fine with it. I don't think he meant to say you're the leader of this team. There are other leaders on the team. We have Steve (Smith) and Jake (Delhomme) and a lot of other cats on the team that can step up. I don't think it's fair for all people to place that bearing on me by myself."
On his thoughts on what Richardson meant: "Just step up and be one of those guys, not just the guy. Just one of these guys."
On if it’s a role (leadership) he’s comfortable with: "Oh yeah, I'm fine with it. I've been a leader my whole time here, you know. Going out and working hard here every day."
On viewing himself as a quiet leader: "You got those guys in the past who kind of seem like you guys were drawn to talking to those guys a lot and then I think some of those guys didn't have a lot of respect (from the guys on the team). We had guys who talked who really didn't back it up. I would rather have my actions speak for me."
On with Mike Minter gone does he see a situation where he would be more out front: "We need guys to step up and be more vocal and that doesn't mean coming out here and talk (to the media). Not that I have a problem with that, that's not what that means. Maybe pulling the young guys to the side and encouraging them to watch a little more film. I think that's being a leader."
On has he done that more the last couple of years: "Yeah, a little bit."
On the upcoming season: "I'm excited to get back out there. This time of year everybody feels good about their team and making the playoffs and all of that stuff. So I want to see how it goes. I don't want to say a lot about it, I just want to perform."
On Stanley McClover: He's doing good. He's improved a lot over the summer. We are looking fora lot for him. He's going to get a chance to play and he's ready. He's ready to go."
On your personal goals: "Not really. As you guys may know, I'm not big on personal goals. I just want to help the team. Playoffs is a definite goal. That's about the only thing I can put out there right now is making playoff."
On contract status: "I have two more years under contract so that’s not even a big deal right now."
On prospect of being the highest-paid defensive player in the league: "That’s something I haven’t thought about either. If it happens, it happens. If not, then not."
On other big contracts signed by Dwight Freeney and others: "I’m not concerned about what anybody else it getting or what I make because I don’t have it. I’m not worried about it."
On does he assume it will get worked out here in Carolina and won’t be an issue: "It’s not an issue right now and I don’t think it will be one."