NFL Franchise Tag 2016: Top 5 New York Giants Candidates
By Mike Luca
3. Jason Pierre-Paul
The Giants firmly possess the upper five-fingered hand in financial diplomacy this time around.
Either Pierre-Paul is offered the tag as a gesture to wipe last offseason’s circus clean and prove his long-term worth in a calmer filter, further humbling the defensive end, or he shouldn’t be retained at all.
JPP undoubtedly showcased the defense’s most determined motor of the season’s second half. He miraculously accounted for 24 quarterback hurries (No. 9 among linemen) in 502 snaps—less than half of Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt’s recorded playing time. Watt mustered a mere 26 hurries in that span.
“Best Nigerian pass rusher available, a 6-foot-4, 275-pounder with long arms and 10 fingers.” – NY Post’s Steve Serby in regards to JPP and potential draftee Emmanual Ogbah
Pierre-Paul’s heart grew three fingers that fateful fireworks day, as his eventually displayed determination on and off the field did wonders in encouraging the franchise and healing his image. That being said, his inability to finish on many of these plays – as Big Blue lore is accustomed to – pinpoints the long road ahead in rehabilitating this bizarre injury.
Whether or not the Miami Dolphins tag DE breakout prize Olivier Vernon, there is enough talent in free agency and the draft to let JPP walk for the paycheck he naturally covets. Fulfillment of this feel-good story will always be longed for, but it’s better to shift attention to rookies such as Oklahoma State’s Emmanual Ogbah.
No issues here with the validity of the finger jabs, but the reason for doing so needs to cease one way or the other.
Next: ON THE BRINK OF SUCCESS