The New York Giants defensive coordinator is trying to find out how much the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end will be able to do after losing a finger in a July 4 fireworks accident.
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All defensive end coach Robert Ayers Jr. had to do was to look at Pierre Paul to know he is ready.
While he’s expected to return between Weeks 10 and 12 and resume his career, surely Pierre-Paul can’t help but regret the money he lost in this whole process.
When Pierre-Paul does play, Spagnuolo will most likely use him in specific situations initially.
So after missing out on $14.8 million – and one would imagine that JPP would like to go back and take that $60 million, too – the price of that fireworks accident is pretty high.
A league source tells PFT that the $1.5 million guarantee applies to skill and injury only, that the base salary is $2.5 million, and that he makes an extra $864,000 if he musters 7.5 sacks over the balance of the season. That number is equal to the prorated amount Pierre-Paul would have made on the franchise tag over the same span.
Jason Pierre-Paul has been all about the work in the two days since he returned to the New York Giants.
The one-year deal he struck this week with the Giants is worth a maximum of $8.7 million, which is what the franchise tender was reduced to once he missed the first seven games of the season. He must be on the field for 80 percent of the snaps to earn the full amount, which is not easily attainable.
There is also a huge sack incentive, which seems like the Giants’ ultimate test of whether JPP can be the same player.
As part of the deal, the Giants agreed to not place Pierre-Paul on the non-football-injury list.
A more realistic projection, however, would be after the bye week, though it’s possible that Pierre-Paul, who would need to be added to the 53-man roster by Week 10, could contribute in a very limited capacity. Raanan reports that this was a big sticking point for JPP’s camp.
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Linebacker Mark Herzlich also believes that Pierre-Paul will adapt to playing with his injured right hand. That may be a tall order, but he’s being given a chance to prove that he can.
