Bryant McKinnie to try again vs. Peppers

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had a career highlight last season by earning a Pro Bowl spot, but he also had a career lowlight when he was benched after a rough December outing against Julius Peppers.

Asked if he's looking forward to the rematch, McKinnie said in an e-mail, ''Hell, yeah.''

The most memorable part of a 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte was the postgame clash between Vikings coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre. But McKinnie struggled against Peppers -- then with the Panthers -- and committed one false start and allowed one sack and several quarterback pressures.

''It was a bad game, and it bothered me,'' McKinnie said. ''I didn't feel I was at my best.''

But McKinnie said he was battling injuries, including plantar fasciitis, and he feels much better this time around.

''I think it'll be a better matchup for me,'' McKinnie said.

Until then, McKinnie had never been benched at any level.

During a conference call with Minnesota reporters, Peppers dodged a question about his dominant performance against McKinnie.

''I really don't want to get into talking about last year,'' Peppers said. ''That was last year. It's a whole new season against players that have improved.

''I've improved in different things. I'm playing on a different team, different scheme.''

Still, Peppers has notched five sacks against McKinnie in five career games.

After the Panthers game, Childress told reporters the Vikings should have given McKinnie more help.

''That's on me,'' Childress said at the time. ''We didn't do a good enough job with getting him help.''

McKinnie said he doesn't know yet if he's going to get help or deal with Peppers one-on-one. But the Vikings left tackle said Peppers has looked as good as ever, ranking him among the league's best with teammate Jared Allen and Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.
However, McKinnie added that he also has improved.

''I feel like I'm having a better season than last year,'' he said.

Peppers has only two sacks (Israel Idonije tops the Bears with five), but he leads the team with 12 quarterback pressures.

''We all know what I'm bringing to the team,'' Peppers said. ''While the numbers aren't popping [off] the page, the things that I'm doing when you see the tape, it's good football out there. I'm pleased with it, I think everybody else is pleased with it, and hopefully by the end of the year the numbers will be matching up to what we're seeing on the field.''
Favre has been impressed.

''One thing that obviously stands out [is Peppers],'' he said. ''I'm sure that was the intention when they went after Julius. He is a dynamic player.
''He's a game changer. I don't know what else to tell you.''

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(suntimes.com)