news-record.com

CHARLOTTE (AP) — The details surrounding any Jon Beason-Julius Peppers conversation remained murky Monday. Neither player spoke to reporters, just as they shied away from questions following Carolina's game a day earlier.

The results, however, were clear: Shortly after Beason called him out, Peppers was dominant and the Panthers tasted victory for the first time in 287 days.

"Julius Peppers, who's been under the microscope, so to be speak, I thought was much better," coach John Fox said at his weekly news conference.

Peppers, the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end out of North Carolina who is making an NFL-high $16.7 million this season, entered Sunday's game against Washington with one sack and 10 tackles in three games, all losses.

After watching Minnesota's Jared Allen record 4½ sacks last Monday, Beason said on a local radio show that he planned to talk to Peppers about his lack of production. Beason has since clammed up and Peppers has continued his media boycott. Peppers, though, was quite loud on the field Sunday.

Peppers had two sacks, two tackles for a loss, three quarterback hurries, four solo tackles and was instrumental in causing a safety in Carolina's 20-17 comeback win over the Redskins.

"He was lively out there," linebacker Thomas Davis said. "He was running around, making plays. But what he was also doing for us was keeping guys up. Whenever something bad would happen on offense, special teams, or even defense, he stepped in as a leader."

Peppers and leader haven't been used in the same sentence often in Carolina. He seemingly went into a shell after owner Jerry Richardson publicly urged him to take charge of the defense before the 2007 season, finishing with a career-low 2½ sacks.

He recovered to post a career-high 14½ sacks in 2008, then spent the offseason doing everything he could to leave town, skipping offseason workouts after the Panthers placed the franchise tag on him.

Peppers eventually relented and signed his one-year tender. He reported to training camp on time and hasn't missed a practice.

Breaking down Peppers' play has become a cottage industry around these parts. Is he still being double-teamed as much? Did he give up on the play? Has he slowed down? Does he care?

Sunday against the Redskins — granted, a team in disarray on offense — Peppers was active. Teammates said he even was vocal in the huddle and at halftime.

"He very seldom talks, so when he says something, it carries a lot of weight," defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. "Guys like playing with him, they like playing hard for him, so it's nice to have him out talking and being vocal."

Peppers blew through right tackle Stephon Heyer, forcing Clinton Portis to the outside and allowing Davis to bring him down in the end zone for a safety, Carolina's only first-half points.

Then as Carolina rallied from a 17-2 third-quarter deficit, Peppers sacked Jason Campbell on a key three-and-out. He later pressured Campbell on an incomplete pass that ended up being Washington's final possession.

"He just came out and made some plays," Lewis said. "I think he's always playing hard the whole season, it's just a matter of getting used to the system."

Learning new coordinator Ron Meeks' scheme has taken longer than expected, exacerbated by injuries. Beason and Davis were banged up in the preseason and the Panthers finally got starting strong safety Chris Harris (knee) back Sunday.

The addition of 340-pound nose tackle Hollis Thomas, signed Oct. 1, finally provided a run-stopping presence in the middle of the line, too. Coming in allowing a league-worst 182.7 yards rushing per game, the Panthers yielded only 74 yards on the ground to the Redskins.

"He's a big body," Fox said of Thomas. "Every once in a while you get double-teamed there and that size is a real advantage. ... He's got the experience to do it, the technique."

Peppers has the size (6-foot-7, 283 pounds), the experience (franchise's career leader in sacks), the speed and athletic ability to make amazing plays — along with a baffling inconsistent streak.

Whether Beason found a way to channel the dominant Peppers is uncertain. But the immediate results helped salvage Carolina's season, at least for a week.

"The message was to have fun and be loose," said rookie defensive end Everette Brown, who got his first career sack Sunday. "When the veterans bring that kind of excitement, it's contagious."