Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Giants: Is Jason Pierre-Paul learning the new defense?

By Nick Ziegler

facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Giants are without one of their best players in offseason activities, as Jason Pierre-Paul is looking for a new contract.

More from New York Giants

Pierre-Paul isn’t participating in offseason activities because he has yet to sign his franchise tender for the upcoming season. This offseason, the Giants brought back defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, which means a new defense for the Giants to learn.

Despite not participating in OTA’s, Pierre-Paul did show up to meet with defensive line coach Robert Nunn to get a look at the new defense.

“Not all of it, but I’ve fed him some of the stuff as we’ve gone and progressed,’’ defensive line coach Robert Nunn said to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I met with him probably four or five times, maybe six or seven times. Kind of implemented some stuff and how it’s gonna be introduced when we get to training camp. I thought he had a very good grasp of it when he left.’’

It’s great to see JPP meeting with Nunn to get information on the playbook despite him skipping things while he hopes for a new contract.

“All my contact with JPP, it’s all been positive,’’ Nunn said to Schwartz. “I don’t get involved with the business side of it. He seems to be in a very good place mentally and working out, looked like he was in very good shape when he was here, his weight was in a good place. We’ll see when we begin.

“There’s wrinkles he’s got to be here to pick up. He’s got to take it from the classroom out to the field. He’ll begin in training camp and we’ll make it work. He comes in in the right frame of mind and in good shape, he’ll be ready to go.’’

JPP is coming off a very good season in 2014, as he totaled 12.5 sacks, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, and on fumble recovery.

Despite coaching the Giants before, Spagnuolo just missed coaching JPP, and a defensive coordinator having a good relationship with his best player is important.

“It’s really hard when you come in new and you have a player in that situation, you really want to start a rapport and a relationship towards the player, a friendship,’’ Spagnuolo said to Schwartz. “It makes it a little bit difficult.’’

It doesn’t look like JPP will be getting a long-term contract before the July 15th deadline, which means that he’ll sign his $14.5 million tender and report to camp in July. While he isn’t on the field now, JPP having a grasp of the new defense will hopefully help him catch up quickly.

Next: Was Odell Beckham Jr. the best player in NY last season?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Giants