Jason Pierre-Paul: Giants owner not pleased with star
The New York Giants are not overly pleased with star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. The former University of South Florida star endured a fireworks incident on July 4 which led to his right index finger being amputated all while refusing to meet with team officials during his hospital stay earlier this month.
Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time
Pierre-Paul has still not met with the team, something Giants owner John Mara spoke about on Tuesday afternoon with New York readying for training camp, per the New York Post. Mara stated his disappointment in Pierre-Paul and the way subsequent affairs have been handled.
"“I don’t think JPP is receiving very good advice right now,’’ Mara on Tuesday told The Post’s Steve Serby."
Mara said that he spoke to Pierre-Paul immediately after the incident via text, while other coaches have been able to touch base.
"“He texted me back right away, said he was going to be fine, that it’s just a little bump in the road and that he’ll be back as good as ever,’’ Mara said. “I know Jerry [Reese] has texted him and I know he’s had some communication with Robert Nunn, his defensive line coach, and I think Ronnie [Barnes] spoke to him recently.’’"
Technically, Pierre-Paul is not a member of the Giants until he signs his franchise tag. The 26-year-old was tagged by New York during the offseason and the two sides negotiated but ultimately came to a stalemate. Before the fireworks incident, the Giants reportedly offered Pierre-Paul a $60 million long-term deal which he rebuffed. Now, Pierre-Paul has no leverage and will either sign the tag and play for $12.8 million guaranteed in 2015 or not sign and not be paid.
Pierre-Paul may have cost himself massively in both the short and long-term. On July 15, the deadline for players on the franchise tag to sign a long-term deal, everybody else was able to come to an agreement including Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas of the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, respectively, and Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston.
Why Pierre-Paul is shutting the Giants out remains unclear. Perhaps it is because he does not have a long-term contract, or maybe he’s embarrassed about the situation he put himself in. Either way, the two sides need to get on the same page with the 2015 preseason right around the corner.