Published: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Reserved Peppers more exuberant after slow start

CHARLOTTE -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers made a rare appearance in front of reporters Thursday, but his teammates say his presence around them is growing by the week.

The reclusive team captain has begun showing more life on and off the field the last three weeks, energizing the team with his play and leadership.

But his biggest impact might be in the small moments in practice, when he's working with the young players, passing along knowledge. Rookie defensive end Everette Brown knew Peppers by reputation only until he was drafted and admitted he was surprised to find Peppers so willing to share.

“He is different from what I expected,” Brown said. “I knew he was a veteran, but I didn't know he would be as hands-on and helpful as he is.

“A lot of time you hear about rookies coming in and trying to find their way, but Pep and the whole team have a lot of character and help the young guys come along.”

Since an early-season slump, Peppers has clearly been more vocal on the field, more obviously encouraging teammates on the sidelines.

“It's all part of him being a leader, being a veteran, being around here for a long time and knowing he's a big part of it,” Brown said. “Motivating the guys during the game; obviously, there's a lot of things happening. There are highs and lows in every game, and you need guys like that to keep everything going and keep everything optimistic.”

But off the field, he's been the same Peppers, hesitant to talk about his role or his future. Thursday, he came out for a moment, his first interview since after the Dallas game on Sept. 28.

Since then, he's been a different player, with five sacks in three games after just one during the 0-3 start.

“It's nothing to talk about,” he said when asked about his own turnaround. He apparently meant it, because he didn't elaborate, standing silently waiting for the next question with all the eager anticipation of a kid waiting for punishment.

Likewise, Peppers didn't have much to say about some of the other news that's swirled recently.

After the 0-3 start, linebacker Jon Beason made some comments during a radio show, saying he was going to take Peppers out to dinner to talk about his effort. The dinner never happened, and Beason later apologized for taking to the airwaves. Peppers hasn't been seen since to ask about it.

Neither was he around for reporters after the last two games. Prior to the win in Tampa, he gave a stirring speech to the team, talking about each player taking accountability for their play. Several teammates described it as out-of-character, yet moving. The FOX network pre-game show mentioned it last week, but Peppers had nothing to say Thursday.

“I don't want to talk about that,” he said. “That is something we did as a team and is private. I have no comments on anything that is supposed to be kept within the team.”

Asked about the looser appearance of recent weeks (at least until the loss to Buffalo last week), he shrugged and went back to his stoic ways.

“Am I having more fun? When you win,” he said. “The past couple of games we won I had fun, but it's never fun losing. I always have fun with my teammates (on the field). I always have fun.”

He did talk about the improvement of the defense, which has stiffened considerably with his return to form, as well as the return to health of a few others and the addition of nose tackle Hollis Thomas.

Peppers said the group was improving, crediting more time in defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' system and Thomas' ability to take up blocks inside.

“We are coming along,” Peppers said. “Everybody is getting better collectively, and it's leading to a better performance. It's adjusting to the defense. Knowing what you are supposed to do within the scheme to allow yourself to play faster.

“Everybody is just getting a little more familiar with the defense and what they're asked to do. So that is leading to better production by the entire group.”