The details surrounding any conversation between the Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason and Julius Peppers remained murky Monday. Neither player spoke to reporters, just as they shied from questions following their game a day earlier.
The results, however, were clear: Shortly after Beason called him out, Peppers, the former North Carolina star, was dominant and the Panthers tasted victory for the first time in 287 days.
"Julius Peppers, who's been under the microscope, so to speak, I thought was much better," coach John Fox said at his weekly news conference.
Peppers, the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end making an NFL-high $16.7 million this season, entered Sunday's game against Washington with one sack and 10 tackles in three games, all losses.
After watching Minnesota's Jared Allen record 41/2 sacks last Monday, Beason said on a local radio show that he planned to talk to Peppers about his lack of production. Beason has since clammed up, and Peppers has continued his media boycott. Peppers, though, was quite loud on the field Sunday.
Peppers had two sacks, two tackles for losses, three quarterback hurries and four solo tackles, and he was instrumental in causing a safety in Carolina's 20-17 comeback win over the Redskins.
"He was lively out there," linebacker Thomas Davis said.
In a roster move Monday, the Panthers signed former Appalachian State receiver Dexter Jackson to the practice squad and released receiver Jason Chery.
