FOXBORO — Bill Belichick surprised Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers this week.
The veteran defender was one of the teacher’s pets during film study after the Patriots’ Week 6 loss to the Raiders. Belichick gave Peppers special praise for a jarring hit he delivered on Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams over the middle of the field that caused an interception by linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Patriots S Jabrill Peppers has said he wished he played in a different era when big hits were more common. He found a way to destroy Davante Adams legally to cause the takeaway. pic.twitter.com/hC0gmFxsRc
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 15, 2023
“He definitely serves a lot of slices of humble pie,” Peppers said of Belichick. “That play, he’s real big on the fundamentals. The break, the plant point, accelerate, no wasted movement, no rounded breaks, got my head out of there, wrapped up. It was shocking to get a little praise from him, but definitely that film room, you’re going to be humbled in there.”
Peppers avoided penalty for the hit, and he’s certainly hoping it didn’t trigger any fines for the league.
“I’m the poster boy,” Peppers said. “They keep throwing these fines at me. Trying to navigate it.”
