5 Reasons Why Jason Pierre-Paul Will Lead New York Giants To Postseason

5 Reasons Why Jason Pierre-Paul Will Lead New York Giants To Postseason

By Mike Luca

July 18, 2015

5 Reasons Why Jason Pierre-Paul Will Lead New York Giants To Postseason

jason pierre-paul new york giants 2015 x-factor — Jason Pierre-Paul endured a busy summer away from the New York Giants, completing quite the bucket list: vacation in Florida, seeing fireworks and illegally purchasing fireworks. There's more: losing finger at hospital; avoid police; fail to bank on allowance; accept mockery from televised award show; eat bowl of ice cream in the dark while crying. This guy should be trusted to lead a team to Super Bowl 50? Yes, because it's all uphill from here.

Jason Pierre-Paul endured a busy summer away from the New York Giants, completing quite the bucket list: vacation in Florida, seeing fireworks and illegally purchasing fireworks. There's more: losing finger at hospital; avoid police; fail to bank on allowance; accept mockery from televised award show; eat bowl of ice cream in the dark while crying. This guy should be trusted to lead a team to Super Bowl 50? Yes, because it's all uphill from here.

5. Infamous Contract Year

jason pierre-paul new york giants

5. Infamous Contract Year

jason pierre-paul new york giants — All antics aside, this is now a make-or-break year for the veteran and former champion defensive end, considering he does actually sign his franchise tender before camps. Unless Pierre-Paul uncharacteristically commits a more serious misdemeanor down the line, this situation cannot grow any worse, and his pedigree suggests he can use this experience and baggage to fuel a stellar audition for both a long-term deal and playoff berth.

All antics aside, this is now a make-or-break year for the veteran and former champion defensive end, considering he does actually sign his franchise tender before camps. Unless Pierre-Paul uncharacteristically commits a more serious misdemeanor down the line, this situation cannot grow any worse, and his pedigree suggests he can use this experience and baggage to fuel a stellar audition for both a long-term deal and playoff berth.

4. 2014 Improvements

jason pierre-paul new york giants 2014

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4. 2014 Improvements

jason pierre-paul new york giants 2014 — Compiling double-digit sacks should not be deemed a downbeat season, as JPP accounted for 12.5 (NFL's eighth-best) of the Giants' 47 quarterback takedowns (fourth in the league) last year. He's certainly trending upward on the field after totaling 8.5 sacks combined over the previous two seasons, where the G-Men ranked 22nd and tied for 25th.

Compiling double-digit sacks should not be deemed a downbeat season, as JPP accounted for 12.5 (NFL's eighth-best) of the Giants' 47 quarterback takedowns (fourth in the league) last year. He's certainly trending upward on the field after totaling 8.5 sacks combined over the previous two seasons, where the G-Men ranked 22nd and tied for 25th.

3. Steve Spagnuolo is Back

steve spagnuolo new york giants

3. Steve Spagnuolo is Back

steve spagnuolo new york giants — The defensive coordinator responsible for New York's relentless pass rush in 2011-12 en route to the Lombardi Trophy returns a familiar face and system for Pierre-Paul, who concocted his greatest campaign as a pro subbing for Justin Tuck and the like (16.5 sacks). Even Eli Manning can secretly attest to defense being the true staple and catalyst of any successful Big Blue club, and Spags will attempt to recapture that glory.

The defensive coordinator responsible for New York's relentless pass rush in 2011-12 en route to the Lombardi Trophy returns a familiar face and system for Pierre-Paul, who concocted his greatest campaign as a pro subbing for Justin Tuck and the like (16.5 sacks). Even Eli Manning can secretly attest to defense being the true staple and catalyst of any successful Big Blue club, and Spags will attempt to recapture that glory.

2. Lone Champion on Defensive Line

new york giants

2. Lone Champion on Defensive Line

new york giants — Seriously, who else is going to step up? Only Prince Amukamara and Mark Herzlich additionally remain from the defense that historically dismantled Tom Brady's potent offense back in Super Bowl XLVI. Guys like Johnathan Hankins and Damontre Moore are still raw, Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a rookie and this is only Robert Ayers' second year with the team. It's JPP who needs to lead by example and create those opportunities for the rest of the line.

Seriously, who else is going to step up? Only Prince Amukamara and Mark Herzlich additionally remain from the defense that historically dismantled Tom Brady's potent offense back in Super Bowl XLVI. Guys like Johnathan Hankins and Damontre Moore are still raw, Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a rookie and this is only Robert Ayers' second year with the team. It's JPP who needs to lead by example and create those opportunities for the rest of the line.

1. Fate

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

1. Fate

The stars are aligned. Fifty is such a nice, round number. The Giants (and New England Patriots) make well on their promise to unprecedentedly return to the holy land every four years, like the President of Upsets they truly are. Taylor Swift is undoubtedly writing a song for the halftime show about how Brady deflated her heart, so the event needs a hero.

With the strength of his phantom digit, that hero is Jason Pierre-Paul.

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