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Sometimes, it’s tough thinking of a good introductory line to a blog post. Sometimes, there are two and you just can’t pick between them. In this case, I’ll try both on for size.

1) The Packers might want to consider investing in a left tackle.

2) It’s funny how much better some players suddenly become when they hit the free agent market.

And now elaboration on both.

Green Bay’s offensive line already killed its 2009 season, but now, in addition to having to deal with Jared Allen twice a year, the Pack will have to face Julius Peppers as well. Peppers and the Bears are reportedly finalizing a deal that would see the 30-year-old get paid $30 million over the next three years.

Peppers, who picked up 10.5 sacks while forcing five fumbles last year, is expected to sign a six-year deal that will likely pay him more than any other unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The natural question: Is Peppers worth that much freaking money? Of course not, but the top three or four free agents each year always get a boost, simply because they’re in the right place at the right time. With 2010 being uncapped, that’s especially the case this year for Peppers.

A few reasons why Chicago fans should fear this deal will bite their team in the ass a la Jay Cutler circa 2009:

1) Pass rushers lose it quickly. Peppers is no spring chicken.

2) Peppers has a bad reputation. He’s been known to take more than a few plays off. One year ago, that was the knock on Albert Haynesworth, and we all know how well that signing worked out for the Redskins.

3) After struggling mightily in 2007, Peppers did pick up his game the last two seasons, recording a total of 25 sacks. But because Peppers was slapped with the franchise tag last year, both 2008 and 2009 were contract years for him. And for whatever reason, some guys just play a hell of a lot better in contract years than regular years.

MOVE RATING: 7/10

Click here to track the league’s top free agents with our 2010 Free Agent Tracker.