All signs point to Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul having a breakout season, whether Osi Umenyiora remains on the team or not. The flashes Pierre-Paul showed in the first half of the exhibition opener against the Panthers echoed what he has flashed in camp: a quick first step, a nose for the ball and rare athleticism. Put him in coordinator Perry Fewell's deft hands and it should translate to double-digits sacks this season. Source: Pro Football Weekly
I didn't say it wasn't impressive or that he's not on his way to being good. The 4+ sacks at the end of last season are more of an argument than a half of a preseason game following a lockout. "First half of the exhibition opener..." No need to go any further.
I find his performance as a strong positive direction of things to come for the kid. He did it against a two-time Pro Bowl LT......not some undrafted free agent scrub. Plus he was also responsible of Michael Boley's 56-yard pick-six. Is it a coincidence that Osi decided to "honor" his contract with no new money less than 24 hours after JPP's performance Saturday night? Osi barely had any leverage to begin with and JPP's performance Saturday night was the exclamation point. And for the record.....I knew Seattle would part with Carlson and a Third for Osi. I would have taken that deal....but the G-Men remained firm on getting a first. A trade for Osi probably will have a better chance of taking place in 2012. He'll enter the last year of his contract extension that he signed in 2005. Word. It's why I feel JPP should be the one out there and at the same time.....trading a disgruntled but talented pass-rusher for a player in a big area of need plus picking up a quality draft pick. Osi is reporting to camp.... but begrudgingly.
Ward hit it on the head with this one. Seriously? After one half of the FIRST preseason football game for each team after 2 weeks of practice? I'll admit he looked impressive at points last season but let's wait until October before we talk about the "season."
I've been talking all week about Darryl Tapp who just destroyed the Ravens o-line (1st string and 2nd string). It's okay to get excited even though it's just preseason. But the whole 'breakout SEASON' is a tad premature.
