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Green Bay --- There was a strange sight at the Green Bay Packers' first open organized team activity Thursday.

A high-profile off-season acquisition. Julius Peppers' career in Green Bay is underway.

The 34-year-old towered above defensive linemen and linebackers in his new No. 56. Peppers, all of 6 foot 7 inches and 287 pounds is listed as an outside linebacker, and worked with that group Thursday, though it'd be no surprise if he moves around.

Green Bay is banking a major impact wherever he lines up.

In choosing Green Bay, Clay Matthews was a factor. Peppers was blunt in his first session with reporters here --- he's never played with a pass rusher of this caliber.

"I haven’t really played with a guy like Clay my whole career," Peppers said. "Early in my career, I played with a guy in Mike Rucker who was a threat on the other side. But a really dominant player on the other side, I really haven’t had that, ever. So I’m excited.”

Matthews didn't practice Thursday. But he hasn't exactly played with a player of Peppers' caliber, either. Since Dom Capers took over in 2009, Green Bay has cycled through a slew of pass rushers opposite Matthews. Nothing sticks.

So far, Peppers says he's been able to pick up the defense with ease. Mike McCarthy reiterated Thursday the emphasis is personnel and "doing less" with scheme.

Peppers brings credibility with his 119 career sacks and 40 forced fumbles. Teammates all spoke glowingly of him after practice. No acquisition has arrived in Green Bay with such a resume since, arguably, Charles Woodson in 2007.

But he's also getting older. And he's also coming off of a subpar season. Chicago's run defense allowed a NFL-high 5.3 yards per carry and Peppers himself had 7.5 sacks, his lowest total since 2007. In the locker room, he insinuated this didn't have to do with his age or ability.

“I felt fine last year," Peppers said. "Circumstances around me and the team, you know, led to certain things. But as far as me and how my body feels, I feel great.”

He'll now instantly assume a leadership role on a defense that must improve for Green Bay to return to the Super Bowl.

“That’s a responsibility I’m going to take on — being a leader and trying to help some of these young guys develop," Peppers said. "This locker room, this D-line and this linebacker group is full of young guys that can play that need development. So any way I can help them I’m going to try to do.

"They have a lot of pieces in place — that was important (in signing). Guys have a lot of talent, a lot of talent on this team. I feel like I’ll blend in well with these guys. Those are some of the things that led to me wanting to be here.”

Peppers seemed to move well during practice. Size-wise, he certainly stands out next to the other linebackers. The pads don't come on for a while.

As for that age again?

“We’ll see, we’ll see how long I have left and how long I feel like playing," Peppers said. "Right now I feel like playing as long as I can. As long as my body will allow me to play I’m going to continue to play.”