Carolina's Julius Peppers ranks 12th in the NFL in sacks this season with 8.5, putting him four behind the Vikings Pro Bowl defensive Jared Allen.

Allen made it clear on a conference call with Panthers media Wednesday that he's a big fan of Peppers, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who has played despite a broken hand this month. "Peppers is a beast. He is an absolute beast," Allen said. "He does things that sometimes I wish I could do. I have nothing but good things to say about him. For how big he is, he moves so gracefully. He does things at that end position that set precedent of themselves. He has been a player that I have always liked to watch." Allen and Peppers have trained together in Arizona during past offseasons. "We have similar styles in the way that we do things and there are variances in other things but I think that he is a hell of a player," Allen said. "He does some things that make you say, 'oh my goodness,' with the athleticism. I like playing opposite of a guy who I really respect because it's one of those things where you want to put forth your best effort and kind of show off for each other." Allen was asked what other defensive ends that he admires. "Growing up, you have to admire Deacon Jones, Jack Youngblood, Bruce Smith," he said. "Michael Strahan is another guy that has done some great things at that position. In the league today, I like guys like Peppers, Trent Cole out of Philly, I like the way he plays because he is kind of a non-stop motor guy. You have to give Dwight Freeney credit. That guy has mastered the spin move better than anybody I think I have ever seen, better than most running backs. There has been a long list of guys that really have played this position well and are fun to watch film on when they are breaking down other offenses."