“I Wanted To Let Him Go So Bad”
April 7th, 2022
Unlike most folks covering the team, Joe is a Bucs fan and is proud to admit it rather than pretending to be neutral.
So of course Joe has been watching the latest In The Current series produced by the Buccaneers and available at Buccaneers.com. What fan wouldn’t watch this great production? It’s in the Hard Knocks style, minus anything naughty or anything that reflects poorly on the team, and is always a must-watch.
In the latest episode, the depth of Jason Pierre-Paul’s early-season 2021 injuries was explored. JPP broke his finger and tore the rotator cuff in his left shoulder. It becomes clear just how much JPP was working around his bad shoulder and against the Bears in Week 7, a tackle JPP made while holding the jersey of Bears QB Justin Field was featured.
After the play, JPP is seen talking on the bench, explaining what a challenge it was to make the tackle using his left hand. “I wanted to let him go so bad,” JPP said.
Think about that. A ferocious pass rusher isn’t thinking about breaking a guy in half or ripping his jersey off; his mind is telling him to release his hand because it’s too painful and/or too weak.
The more Joe watched this episode, the more Joe wondered how much better the Bucs might be off the edge this season without JPP struggling so much.
April 7th, 2022 at 12:17 pm
He drinks, smokes and parties too much. He’s gotten much skinnier. Presumably because he openly admitted to never lifting weights anymore. He’s 33, coming off a bad injury and an awful yr. It is time to move on, get younger bigger stronger. Shaq is good but he’s a b-plus player with c-minus physical attributes and needs help on the other side
April 7th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Have no idea IF JPP can get that shoulder back to 100%, BUT … don’t see any reason to bet against him prematurely after all he’s been through in his career. If he’s not back to 100%, then no, we shouldn’t re-sign him. But IF he is, AND if we can re-sign him at a reasonable price, we could definitely use him. JPP’s a warrior.
April 7th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Healthy JPP can still contribute splitting reps w/JTS or Anthony Nelson. Broken finger, bum shoulder, and in that Bears game clip he still managed to force a turnover and record a sack. Biggest question marks are the timetable for JPP’s rehab and his asking price.
April 7th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
JPP will go out on he shield, if he hasn’t already.
Love him !
April 7th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
He is getting too old and too many injuries not lifting is a huge deal as he gets older there are so many reasons to move on. That warrior mentality people are lauding about was a detriment to the team last season because he shouldn’t have been on the field with that injury.
April 7th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
He needs to run more also. His calf muscles look very skinny.
If he wants to make a late career resurgence, he will actually need to start training harder.
He has relied on his heart and freak athletic body for his entire career.
Now, he must start training harder to remain effective.
April 7th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
JPP injured is better than JTS. That is why he was on the field last year. He is much better against the run. If JPP is better now, which I believe he is, then we should re-sign him. Let the other guys back him up again. JPP and Suh should retire as Bucs.
April 7th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
The hard reality is that the Bucs need to replace him. We have to stop retaining players in the HOPE that they produce.
I LOVE JPPs leadership and work ethic. Physically, is he reliable? I think we know the answer to that question.
April 7th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
Long story short…… time to move on
April 7th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Love JPP on the team I just don’t love his contract.
April 7th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
he has earned a chance to come back…. if healthy,
April 7th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
He’s a man’s man, try him out see if he’s got something left.
April 7th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Love JPP but his decision to play through the injury hurt the D last year.
April 7th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
I’d welcome him back. At a reduced rate.. Might still happen. But who knows? We might have one of the top edge rushers in the draft fall to #27. I’d prefer a stud DT, but Edge rushing talent is always hard to pass up..
April 7th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
They really do a good job with that In The Current show. When they are showing home game action it takes me back to sitting/standing at my seat high fiving the people in my row after a big play.
April 7th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
RPK … ‘Love JPP but his decision to play through the injury hurt the D last year.’
It’s up to the COACHES who plays & who doesn’t. Our coaching staff apparently felt, for whatever reason, that a beat-up JPP was better than their other alternatives (JTS or Nelson). JPP struggled all year it looked like, but he actually missed fewer games than some of our really high-paid guys (Davis, Godwin, LVD to name a few).
Why doesn’t anyone say anything about LVD playing hurt? He missed 2 games because of his ankle sprain in October, came back for 7 games then went on IR for 4 games before coming off IR to play in the playoffs. Does anyone really think that LVD was anywhere close to 100% after that ankle injury? Or after he came off IR for the playoffs? Against Philly he played almost all the game (89% snaps); had 2 tackles & 1 PD. Against the Rams, he played even more (94% snaps), but did have a lot more tackles (11). Every time I watched that last play all I see is LVD standing there with his hands on his hips. Was he one of the guys who didn’t get the play-call or was he just gassed & hurting? (I don’t know either).
April 7th, 2022 at 7:02 pm
Never question JPPs work ethic or effort. He has earned our respect don’t you think? If he says he can play, and we can afford him, we damn well better bring him back. He is due that.
April 7th, 2022 at 7:46 pm
I think he’s already reached the apex of his career. If he’s willing to be used in more of a rotational role for lesser money sign him but if he’s looking for another big payday Licht will have to do some serious soul searching. It’s these decisions of deciding when it’s time to move on that can have a negative impact on a GM’s career..
April 7th, 2022 at 8:12 pm
@Gofortheface You apparently haven’t followed JPP’s career and the multitude of folks with egg on their face after doubting JPP through various points of time. I’ll take JPP all day every day. IDGAF if he’s 40. Go Bulls! Go Bucs! Go JPP!
April 7th, 2022 at 11:37 pm
Get healthy jpp. Make it one last ride with us. Be great to see jpp come back n have a 10 sack season.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Would have liked to know this answer already. JPP should not have played as many snaps as he did last season. JTS being a rookie wasn’t a good enough excuse as poorly as JPP was performing. If healthy, JPP is still worth bringing back but as the 3rd edge or edge 2B. JTS must be ready for a big workload.
April 8th, 2022 at 12:32 pm
“Rock, Paper, Scissors” lol…i’ll never forget that during the SB celebration…
Dude’s a stud, and if we can keep him cheap, do it.
April 8th, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Passing situations only if we keep him. He doesn’t play the run anymore anyway.
April 8th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
I sure hope JPP makes it back. It will likely take a very weak market as I doubt the Bucs (or anyone else) will want to sign him for much. He’s a very smart and complete EDGE defender, I just hope his body isn’t breaking down.