The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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play defense, special teams and of- fense, potentially taking snaps in the wildcat formation, earning carries lined up in the backfield or catching balls at receiver. In six games, Peppers had not lined up on offense once, but Michigan fans were treated to two Peppers' offen- sive touches against Michigan State in week seven, totaling 35 yards. Peppers will likely see more offen- sive opportunities in future weeks, but for now, he's showing off his ver- satility defensively, playing four dif- ferent positions — cornerback, safety, nickel back and dime-package line- backer, a feat that is possibly even more impressive than playing both ways. "I don't think people have a true appreciation for his skill set," said former All-America linebacker and current TheWolverine.com analyst Ron Simpkins (1976-79). "Coaches spend an entire career trying to develop a guy to excel at one position based on his physi- cal talent. This guy plays three and four different positions in one game, sometimes every other play, and I don't think people understand how difficult that is. "There are not a lot of guys in col- lege football, and not even in the NFL, that could handle that much responsibility and possess the physi- cal and mental maturity to do it. "You can see when he plays, he has the mindset that if he needs to play the run tough, he will. If he's in coverage, he's determined to shut down the receiver. If it's a blitz, he's coming with everything he has, and he loves to tackle and play physical. He doesn't back down from any chal- lenge."