JPP Already Fired Up
July 21st, 2020
Motivated.
Joe will never forget the spring day when the Bucs brought in Jason Pierre-Paul after Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht stole him from the Giants.
After the press conference, JPP mingled and did various stand-ups for TV guys and girls and spoke with an old school reporter here or there.
One TV reporter asked JPP about how he is at defending the run, apparently not aware JPP was no slouch against the run.
JPP stared at the reporter, the smile on his face instantly changing into a cold, serious look and said, “You don’t want to come at me with the ball.”
Players seem to look for any remote slight to get them motivated and fired up (Kwon Alexander is notorious for this). And JPP seems now to have found motivation after reading lists of the NFL’s best players, easily found with a Google search this time of the year.
Now if Joe were to ask any readers if Khalil Mack is a good defender, most would spit out their beers, shocked that Joe would ask such a question. So on his Instagram account, JPP showed that his 2018 numbers were better than Mack’s.
Last year, JPP missed the first six games because he was recovering from a broken neck. The dude still almost got double-digit sacks (he had 8.5) and almost got double-digit tackles for loss (nine).
Joe has maintained through the summer that a major goal of the Bucs defense should be to keep gas in JPP’s tank come December. The Bucs need him so offenses don’t gang up on Shaq Barrett.
So what looks like a significantly abbreviated training camp and zero preseason games should help keep JPP fresh down the road.
Joe is not the least bit worried about some Bucs veterans being able to answer the bell come September.
JPP is one of them.
July 21st, 2020 at 6:15 am
JPP is a class act. I always liked him, especially in his college play. He’s made some mistakes obviously that costs him for his lifetime, but he’s overcome and perservered. There’s a lot to be said for that. Right now, would be best for him to use his lessons to lead his team, like starting with suggesting Devon White nix his big party (or at least take strick measures for distancing) coming up to help preserve the health of all…especially White and fellow players who would attend!
July 21st, 2020 at 7:09 am
JPP is not a good player. He is a great player. Great players make their teammates better, and just look how much better Shaq did when JPP is there. For that matter, look what he did for George Selvie in college.
July 21st, 2020 at 7:38 am
The dude that needs JPP the most to shine..Shaq Barrett.
July 21st, 2020 at 8:08 am
WHen u can’t or won’t draft d line
You have to trade for them
July 21st, 2020 at 8:15 am
Jpp for a third round pick….what a crap ass gm right?
July 21st, 2020 at 9:20 am
You down with JPP? Yeah, you know me!
July 21st, 2020 at 9:52 am
I totally agree, JPP is a freak as far as condtioning and physical wellness. The guy came back from a firework accident where he blew off parts of his hand and also has come back from a car accident where he broke bones in his neck. Both times the press doubted his return and he came back early. How can we question his motor in December? JPP will not be the problem if our defense is not performing come December you can bank on that. Nobody I know is more motivated on our defense to perform. I wish we had more clones of him JPP is rock solid.
July 21st, 2020 at 10:06 am
Great player. Glad he is here and I hope he retires after playing the rest of his career here in Tampa.
July 21st, 2020 at 10:21 am
It’s ok jpp y’all going to clean up a lot of misconceptions this year!
July 21st, 2020 at 10:35 am
He’s a different cat. I’m glad he’s on our team. The D was instantly better when he came back last year.
July 21st, 2020 at 11:16 am
IMO, JPP is playing for his legacy the next two years.
Two monster years could put him in Hall of Fame contention…and he knows it.
There is a point in driven athletes where legacy is far more important than money.
July 21st, 2020 at 11:17 am
Yeah, I said two years. If the Bucs and JPP have a monster year in 2020, he will want to come back to seal the deal, and $$$ becomes secondary.
July 21st, 2020 at 12:44 pm
So great to hear. I admit I was one that thought JPP would give up football. What a beast!
July 21st, 2020 at 1:50 pm
It’s all about attitude.
JPP has the type of attitude that leads to winning.
Naysayers are merely the rungs on the ladder to success, you step all over them on your way up. Mediocrity is unacceptable!
That’s one thing I wish was contagious enough to infect the entire team!
July 21st, 2020 at 5:24 pm
JPP, one of the best trade acquisitions in Bucs history. Call Gettleman, see if he wants to get rid of any other great players for a 3rd Rounder.
July 21st, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Hall
July 21st, 2020 at 7:58 pm
Wow……… no trolls on this one???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2020 at 8:04 pm
The defense turned around last year when 2 things happened:
1. VH3 was given the boot
2. JPP came back healthy
Joe is absolutely right, we need JPP healthy all season long! He is a leader of men and has the most credentials / accolades of any vet on our defense. When he speaks, players listen. Simple as that.
July 22nd, 2020 at 12:57 am
They don’t come any tougher than JPP and even though he hasn’t been a Buc for long, he is still one of my favorite players ever.
July 22nd, 2020 at 4:22 pm
I have always been a big fan of JPP. Whenever he retires the Bucs should bring him back as a Defensive Coach. I expect him to be in the Hall of Fame one day!
He has the best attitude of any Buc player and is as tough as they come. Kudos to Licht for getting him here!
July 22nd, 2020 at 10:04 pm
This is why I think Shaq Barrett is going to have at least 12 sacks or more again. He didn’t have JPP on the other side half of last year and now he has a fully motivated, healthy JPP and with Suh and Vita clogging the middle.
They need more depth but those front 4 with those linebackers behind them are pretty damn good