Bruce Arians Updates Jason Pierre-Paul Status
June 2nd, 2019
Rough timetable
It seems like hope for Jason Pierre-Paul playing in 2019 is fading fast.
That broken neck he suffered one month ago in a car accident was a topic for Bucco Bruce Arians during his Friday appearance on ESPN.
It didn’t sound promising.
“He’s doing good; His spirits are good,” Arians said of JPP. “You know, it’s just one of those things, you just wait and wait and wait, and make sure the thing doesn’t displace and not have to have an operation. We got our fingers crossed and are praying for him all the time.”
Asked for a timetable on JPP’s recovery, Arians replied, “I would think it’s at least five months, maybe six.”
Six months from last Friday is Dec. 1.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:29 pm
4-12
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Hate to sound brutal but just cut him at this point and start figuring out how 7.5 mil can be used in other parts of the team. By the time he comes back, how useful will he be after taking 5/6 months off football.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:36 pm
I agree as much as I love jpp and what he had did for in this league
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:38 pm
But we need to make a move on one of the DEs
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:43 pm
This sucks. Consider, though, that he may be just conditioning us to not expect his return so that there is no disappointment later on. They may still be hoping for an October return, but just tempering expectations.
That is better than the last regime, who always made us expect the best possible outcome even though it wasn’t likely. This is the more practical approach, and more professional in my opinion.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:44 pm
I’d keep him because you can’t replace him. By October he should be good to go, about the time someone goes down. They’ve already invested in him for the season, give it time to get some return. He will be back stronger than ever and has several more good seasons ahead.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:44 pm
5-6 months from his accident. Let’s hope he can practice after the bye week.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:50 pm
The old lets close our eyes and “pray” is idiotic
Cut him get cap relief and upgrade your roster
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Honestly I think Arians is trolling the crap out of the TB media and it started with the “secondary is completely fixed” line, rotfl. And most actually ran with it.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:54 pm
You can pray for a guy’s well being and still take care of your team. It’s not idiotic at all. But yeah I think it may be time to move on unless they think they’re good with the remaing moves to be made and hope he comes back 100% for next year. Guess we’ll find out
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:54 pm
I am betting his first game will be Out. 27th at Tennessee right after our bye week.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:56 pm
If JPP is put on IR does his salary count against the cap?
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:56 pm
On a bright note 7 and 1/2 million dollars is a good cushion to land on after you get in a car accident.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Then dump him and sign someone else wtf.
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Cut the guy and lets move on..Please! OK..so he comes back. But for how long?
This is the NFL not….not Hillsborough HS people. Neck injuries like this..do not heal. And playing at this level? Forgetaboutit. That savings could go a long way in helping us find a DE. Ghoulston ain’t the answer people.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:00 pm
He’ll be do out of football shape. JPP should retire. We should move on. I wish him the best but the team comes first.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Move on.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:13 pm
I dunno we made a big mistake once with John Lynch and his injury. He had a lot left in the tank. As an organization you don’t want to be seen as not having a guys back when something like this happens.
It was a car wreck, not like he was hang gliding or something.
Bring him back when healthy.
Pretty much count him out this year though. No Doctor is going to clear him unless they are damn sure it is safe.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Nikki Bella of WWE had the same injury and returned within 4 months. And she had the surgery. She had been concerned she would never wrestle again.
I think everyone is different.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:19 pm
T REX Says
“He’ll be do out of football shape. JPP should retire. We should move on. I wish him the best but the team comes first.”
If his salary does not count against us because of the injury, there is no need to move on.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Also, Arians is not a Doctor. He’s assuming worse case scenario.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:23 pm
SCBucsFan Says
“On a bright note 7 and 1/2 million dollars is a good cushion to land on after you get in a car accident.”
It is that, but we still have no clarification that it will count toward the Bucs cap. The injury might mean it does not…even if he get’s paid.
Which may be why the Bucs have not released anyone with a big salary.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:24 pm
ATLBucs Says
“If JPP is put on IR does his salary count against the cap?”
Absolutely not…but he will not be put on IR. His injury is non-football related, and that’s something different. I still don’t think it will count, but I can’t seem to get confirmation.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Sorry guys……every penny counts against the cap…..the only way to save any money is to cut him….
Bucs have only two choices…..keep him and put him on injured reserve or cut him.
It is a risky option to keep him with this type of injury……will be lucky if he plays at all this year.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Surgery always speeds up the process
He chose not too.
Dec 1 and not in football shape. He can’t work out if he wants to heal completely. His upper body will be weak. Surprised if they let him do anything lower body as well.
He ain’t playing this year people
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Right. And the playoffs run through Feb. There’s also next year.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:37 pm
Drop JPP and put $7.5 million in the bank. Cut a few more or possibly make a trade for a RG. In a passing league with a passing HC and very little running game, that position is so much more important than a DE this year. We have two young tackles (Benenoch and Cappa) they’re trying to put at guard position. So stupid they resigned “old as dirt” Dotson to $4.8 million.
No way they could’ve thought someone was going to make a trade for GMC. Of course he got dropped and minus Dot we could’ve had $17.8 million more in the bank. Couldn’t of seen the accident coming, but could’ve had at least $25 million with a JPP cut.
Could’ve got a above average/good RG/RT in a trade or FA.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Jenna Laine
ESPN Staff Writer
Jason Pierre-Paul is to make $14.9 million this year, plus incentives. What’s interesting is that $7.5 million of his base salary became fully-guaranteed on March 15. But that guarantee doesn’t cover a player placed on the non-football injury list (NFI). They can get out of this.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:42 pm
JPP has already made $7.5 mil this season, regardless of what else happens. He’s currently on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list I presume. The NFI list prevents players from practicing or playing. If cleared from the NFI list, they can’t go back on the list. The rules for the NFI list are the same as for the PUP list. Here’s what I found on those rules …
If a player who was on the Active/PUP list during training camp isn’t cleared to play by the end of the preseason, he can be transferred to the Reserve/PUP list, which prevents that player from playing and practicing during the first six weeks of the NFL season. Players are only eligible for the regular-season PUP list if they were on the Active/PUP list all summer and did not play or practice with their team at any point. (JPP should qualify for that). Players can only be placed on the PUP list prior to the start of Week 1. The designation is not available once the regular season begins. This is only for players who have injuries coming into an NFL season.
Bucs could activate him off of the PUP list, release/waive him or just keep him on the PUP list for the season. They also have an option of not paying him any more than he’s already made this season apparently (which they might take). IF I were the Bucs & JPP, I’d just take the year for healing, come to a mutual agreement that $7.5 mil for no work is quite a good thing, and get all healed up for NEXT season. In the meantime the Bucs would have $7.4 mil to spend that they don’t have right now. LOTS of veterans will hit the free agent market come the end of training camp.
June 2nd, 2019 at 3:48 pm
You know with a neck injury JPP is not going to be running at 100% out of the gate. I would agree to pay him half his salary and have him set out the whole year. Then march 1st evaluate him on whether to keep him or not. I think pushing him to come back too soon is a bigger risk for his overall well being.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:03 pm
There is absolutely no benefit to keeping JPP on this roster. Cut him and spend the $7.5M elsewhere.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:11 pm
It sucks but better to cut him and spend the money on others
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Alvin … The point is that we don’t have to cut him to regain that other $7.4 mil, UNLESS JPP doesn’t agree to that arrangement. There’s no guaranteed money next year in his contract, but he’s scheduled to make around $15 mil. Why WOULDN’T JPP agree to fore-go the remaining $7.4 mil from this year? IF he gets back by next year, he stands to make $15 mil. IF he opts for release, he’s taking his chances on the open market. What team would invest $15 mil in a 31-year old DE who’s just recovered from a broken neck & who hasn’t played in a year? Staying with the Bucs, but not being paid while he heals up, is by far his best option financially. IOW, there’s no need for the Bucs to rush this thing.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Repurposing his 7.5 is way better and a lot will shake out at roster trim time for us to be in decent shape.
Sometimes teams do better when all potential resources are taken away.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:25 pm
If he’s expected back December 1st … if we are out of the race … you have to put him on IR … if we’re in it … rest him until the playoffs
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Cut the Ferrari-wreckin fool. Save the remaining salary for 1-2 Oline and Dline additions, then refuse to pay the remaining balance via Glazer counsel on breach of contract language likely already in his specific contract since the trade.
Any total tard, that plays a $10 mill + annual sport FOR A LIVING, a VERY good living by the way, and drives a pristine sports car designed for a razors’ edge, at 2am in a rainstorm, plus plays with fireworks with the same hands that support his LIVING….deserves to suffer all the imbecilic consequences that go along with ALL THAT! Not to mention his cell phone proclivities while driving!
I put my money on the Glazers winning in court getting OUT of any remaining payments to JPP! Only a small roster bonus paid to this point.
Good riddance.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Defense Rules…I would feel a whole lot better if he were on the other side of 30. I can’t imagine as a proud professional athlete he’s going to forego $7.4M under any scenario, but maybe I’m wrong.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:40 pm
You all…ALL referring to the $7.5 million in 2019, like @DR and others, are wrong. That is an injury guarantee ONLY , for 2019, and none of THAT money has been paid out to any players…YET. JPP has only received a $1 million ROSTER bonus paid out to him in 2019, by virtue of being on the roster on the 5th day of the league year. Go read the exact full financial parameters folks, before talking about things.
NOW…as the far the $7.5 million “injury” guarantee is concerned, that depends entirely on the BEHAVIORAL language in JPP’s specific contract, which very likely will violate the contract, thus preventing JPP from earning that. Court hearing will ensue. As cheap as the Glazers are, I’ll put my money on the Glazers’ counsel getting out from under THAT one, the $7.5 mill injury guarantee. They might have to ride with JPP on the roster till that hearing, paying him $0 until then.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:46 pm
I was hoping for a miracle but when it comes to a fractured neck, who knows what can happen if JPP tries to come back early. Sorry to say it, but it’s time for the Bucs to cut ties with JPP and use the extra cap space to sign other guys.
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Will Gholston is bulking up to join Suh, Vea and Allen as defensive linemen. He is no longer going to be a DE. What we need to do is bring in more outside linebackers.
____________
Go Bucs!!!
June 2nd, 2019 at 4:56 pm
The difference in Koetter/Licht and Arians/Licht is the previous regime just painted the best and got the worse, whereas this regime probably paints the worse and hopes for the best
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:22 pm
If anyone is/was banking on JPP for this season, in any capacity, I have some Beach front property in Arizona I’d like to sell you as is. It’s just not intelligent to think he can have an impact on the field at any point in this season, for the Bucs.
But maybe we won’t need him as bad as we think….since our DB’s are, “totally fixed”.
In all seriousness, I’m hoping I’m wrong about that conjecture (almost not conjecture at this point) and just wish JPP and speedy and healthy recovery, first and foremost.
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:27 pm
The pessimism is getting out of control. My God Joe, the fans are influencing every article you write. This does not seem any different than what we already knew and the first thing I see is 4-12.
I miss the days of optimism. I sincerely believe the fan base has had a bigger effect on our futility than most people know.
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:35 pm
SmoothCriminal … Per Jenna Laine back on May 7th: “What’s interesting is that $7.5 million of his base salary became fully-guaranteed on March 15. But that guarantee doesn’t cover a player placed on the non-football injury list (NFI). They can get out of this.” Yes there is a possibility that they can retrieve that $7.5 mil (JPP’s guarantee) in court, but it depends on the language in his contract. If you’d like to share that, I’d love to hear it.
I’d also like to hear your rendition of JPP’s accident. Apparently you seem to have some information that I haven’t read anywhere else (you did imply reckless driving, didn’t you?). I wouldn’t be too quick to say ‘Good riddance’ to the player who most seem to agree was our best defensive player last year. Bucs don’t exactly have DEs with 12 sacks on the season coming out of our ears.
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:46 pm
Comical. I have always told you minions that washed up vets come to Tampa for a pay check. We should start a poll on how long Suh will last this year before his season ending ailment kicks in.
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:47 pm
What if your boss said goodbye to you after a car accident? You guys are just brutal. Glad I don’t live in your world.
June 2nd, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Cut now and move one. Plain and simple.
June 2nd, 2019 at 6:03 pm
*Restructure the following contracts
Covert Base Salaries to the minimum of:
• Mike Evans || Save: $12,956,000
• Lavonte David || Save: $4,410,000
• Cameron Brate || Save: $4,956,000
$22,322,000<–
Release
• DE – Jason Pierre-Paul || Save: $7,400,000
Total: $29,722,000<–
June 2nd, 2019 at 6:23 pm
They say all the time that this is a business. It doesn’t matter if he was driving reckless or not and they should use the NFI list and not pay when he isn’t available. Like any of us, in such a situation you need short and long term care type disability insurance. If you don’t have it, your company will not honor any time beyond any vacation/sick days, if you have those.
It sucks and I sympathize for his pain and predicament. If he has smart representation or smarts himself, he at least had an accident policy. Yeah, they’d be expensive but not out of line with what it would cost any of us comparatively. NFI once it’s appropriate time for such designation, if not now, and use the money to improve the roster.
June 2nd, 2019 at 6:30 pm
It’s Not Personal It’s Strictly Business
June 2nd, 2019 at 6:31 pm
@LUV….^^^^^^
All that you proposed above…simply put the Glazers won’t let Mike Greenberg (Licht just shuffles the papers and adds the paperclip) do that…restructure deals with signing bonuses down to minimum base salaries, stretching that pro-rated signing bonus into future years. Otherwise, we would have been sprinkling in that principle since 6 years ago. Bryan & Ed Glazer said exactly that to Pewter Report a couple times in direct interviews, how they approached Greenberg 6 years ago (told him) they won’t be running the payroll that way, anymore.
I’m pretty sure all of us including you have been in on THAT lengthy conversation…prior.
Sure, the great owners, that want to be annually competitive, in the offseason, preseason, and mid season…do that. Agreed. See Philly, Rams, Saints, Patriots and others.
We don’t. Thank Joel, Ed, Bryan and the gang, for that.
June 2nd, 2019 at 6:42 pm
@DR…Now you are also citing Laine??? Thought that was just the @Joes…for what reason I don’t know.
Laine is DEAD WRONG. Go look at the contract. It is ONLY an “INJURY” guarantee. Prior to March 17th, the $7.5 million dollar amount WAS NOT GUARANTEED FOR INJURY at all, till that March 17th date, if JPP was still on the roster as of that date, which he was. It is NOT…not, a “full” guarantee, big difference.
And pertaining to an INJURY guarantee only, which this is, the payments can still be avoided depending on the individual language in the FIREWORKS FOOL’S contract after we traded for him.
The Glazers will win this one. That’s…just life.
June 2nd, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Dec 1st is when Patriots fans start to really tune-in. Only a loser organization would say the season is lost by December. Keep him for the playoff push. You won’t find a better player available to add that late in the season.
June 2nd, 2019 at 7:31 pm
SmoothCriminal … How is Laine wrong? She said almost exactly what you said, that the Bucs can get out of the whole thing IF they choose to go to court AND WIN. I don’t dispute that Criminal (or is Smooth better?).
Unlike you, I don’t have a copy of JPP’s contract to know how it’s worded for injuries. Matter of fact, I don’t even know for sure that JPP is on the Bucs NFI list at this point (it appears that they just placed Beckwith on the NFI list about 3 weeks ago, which would be over a year since his accident).
My only point is that folks shouldn’t be too eager to count a very talented player like JPP out before all the facts are in. Heck, we don’t even know the extent of his injury at this point. See how his recovery progresses & at the right time take whatever action is called for.
June 2nd, 2019 at 7:37 pm
If he was a race horse, they would’ve shot him. Since he isn’t, they should cut him.
June 2nd, 2019 at 8:49 pm
not sure why he is still on the roster
June 2nd, 2019 at 9:02 pm
I love JPP but we someone that can help us win now not in 5 or months
June 2nd, 2019 at 9:29 pm
A star at USF and a very good season in 2018 must be put aside. One stiff punch from a stout offensive tackle and it’s game over IF he’s able to make it back. Licht Weight will do whatever it takes to keep him around as he traded for him…and that lofty salary.
June 2nd, 2019 at 9:38 pm
I told ya’ll he wouldn’t play til December at the earliest.
More realistically it will probably be in 2020, for a different team.
Sucks… I really liked JPP
June 2nd, 2019 at 9:39 pm
5 monthes from the date of the crash. You think Arians wants oponents in the nfc south expecting Jpp, nassib, suh anf vea?
JPP will start week 5 if the bics are 2 and 2. If they are 3 and 1 or 4 and 0 Id say he will start week 6 at the lateat. Arians knows what he is doing and Jason will be just fine
June 2nd, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Defense-AKA SmoothCriminal–
Nice try.
If I’m ever in search of a secret agent, you’re out!
Sorry …
Stick with playing “Defense.”
June 3rd, 2019 at 5:02 am
Same thing he said when asked about it a month ago, he was supposed to give a different answer?
June 3rd, 2019 at 5:21 am
JA … No idea who ‘SmoothCriminal’ is. Unlike so many others now on JBF.com, I’m one of those ‘old-timers’ who use only ONE handle … Defense Rules.
June 3rd, 2019 at 5:53 am
Defense–
Sorry, I was bored last night. In retrospect, seems like I was VERY bored!
When I read your daily, ineffable love of statistics, I made the reactionary connection after absorbing the self aggrandizing criminal’s comments generated by the same approach.
Thought you may have altered your syntax enough to come off as more “mainstream.”
Seems my “detective career” is now as blemished as the secret agent comment I hurled your way.
Time for a new “profession.”