Like L.T., Peppers has the ability to alter how his position is played.(NFL)(football player Julius Peppers)

Years from now, we might be talking about Carolina's Julius Peppers the way we talk about Lawrence Taylor today. Peppers has the ability to redefine the defensive end position, as L.T. did at outside linebacker.

Peppers' phenomenal game last Sunday against Tampa Bay offered a glimpse of how good he can be. He blocked a field goal. He intercepted a Brian Griese pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. He sacked Griese--his seventh sack in his past four games. He saved a touchdown on a screen pass by catching Michael Pittman almost 70 yards downfield. Peppers was the difference in the game.

With his strength, speed and mobility, Peppers is the best athlete in the NFL. He has tools that no defensive end before him had--at least not anyone I can think of. He is so athletic he could be a Pro Bowl tight end if he played both ways, and he could be an NBA power forward if he played two sports. Easily. Instead, he's becoming the most dominant left end in football.

What makes him special is his ability to drop back in coverage. I used to get upset when I'd watch defensive ends do that. They were pass rushers, and it was a waste of their abilities to keep them away from the quarterback. They were doing the offense a favor, ...