The Return of Jason Pierre Paul.
The New York Giants are banking that Jason Pierre Paul is fully recovered and 100% entering the 2014-15 season. Also, this will be Jason Pierre Paul’s contract year and if he expects a huge pay raise, he needs to repeat his 2011 performance (16.5 sacks).
The last two seasons (8.5 sacks combined) have been a struggle for JPP as he battled shoulder and back injuries that limited his production on the field. With Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph departed to Oakland and Minnesota respectively.
JPP needs to be the main cog of the Giants DL. If so, players like Damonte Moore and Robert Ayers should contribute as the season unfolds and give the Giants a very well-balanced and productive DL.
Also to consider is the additions the Giants made in the secondary (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Quintin Demps). The increase talent in the secondary will and should give JPP additional time in the pass rush on opposing quarterbacks.
The Giants are banking on JPP to fully recover and be that imposing DE off the edge so much so that they didn’t address the need to draft a DE for insurance.
Another factor to consider will be the rotational production of the Giants DT’s (Jonathan Hankins, Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson, Markus Kuhn and possibly Jay Bromley) up the middle. If they can create enough congestion and collapse the pocket, JPP will have ample opportunity to pile up sacks off the edge.
I will go on record right now and predict a resurgent from JPP which will mirror his performance in 2011. JPP has a lot to prove to the fan base, opposing players, but mostly to himself. 2014-15 will be a banner year for JPP and hopefully his performance and production will reflect in the Giants record and a possible appearance in the playoffs.
Posted by Michael Stewart | NY Giants Rush Contributor