The Bears big free agent prize, defensive end Julius Peppers talked today about how good this defense can be and other stuff.

Here’s what he had to say:

“I think we could be the best unit in the league. Last year wasn’t as good because they had injuries, any time you have injuries on a team, that is going to kill you, especially to your best players. I see the potential. They already have guys in place here. I am just another piece to it and hopefully I can bring to the table what I have been bringing my whole career and we can be as dominant as they were in the past.”

Peppers on Alex Brown’s release: “I was excited to play with him, those things come up on the business side and us as players, we don’t really have control over that. It’s just one of those things. It’s unfortunate. At the end of the day, he landed on his feet. I was excited to see him sign with the Saints.”

Peppers on other issues:”Right now it doesn’t really matter to me, I’ve said it and I mean it, it doesn’t really matter which side I play. I would prefer to switch sides during the game according to the game plan. When you limit yourself to one side, it limits your effectiveness. I try to preach to the young guys just coming into the league, ‘Don’t limit yourself to one side.’ When you get tagged as a right end or a left end, it limits you. You need to be able to play both.”

“I’ve been working out with the team. I’ve seen all the guys. I like what I see, hopefully, the addition of me will inspire some guys, make them play better. I know what Tommie is going through. I’ve gone through the same thing sometimes when people criticize me for not playing up to my potential. That’s not something that I am worried about because I know Tommie. I’ve known Tommie since he was a teenager and I know what type of guy he is. I know he is going to come back. The rest of the guys are welcoming me, everybody is excited, just as I am, so I am looking forward to good things and surprising a lot of people.”

“I really don’t put a number on sacks because statistics are really indicators and it doesn’t really tell the true story all the time, it gives you indications, I always just say 10 is a good year, 15 is a great year. Winning the Super Bowl, winning the division, those things are at the top of my list and individual things will come with that if we accomplish the team goals.”

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com