Former Giant vows to ‘ destroy’ old team
While the New York Giants have no players remaining from their 2011 Super Bowl championship, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one.
Pass rusher Jason PierrePaul.
In his 11th NFL season, the still- dangerous defensive end and his Buccaneers teammates visit the Giants on Monday night. Think Pierre-paul is pumped up for his return to East Rutherford, N. J.?
“I’m going to (be on) Monday Night Football and I’m going to destroy the Giants,” the 31- year- old said. “This game definitely means something special to me.”
This is the third BucsGiants matchup since New York traded Pierre- Paul to Tampa Bay in March 2018. The first time, Pierre- Paul said he played on two injured knees. The second time he was sidelined while recovering from a broken neck. Now?
“I’m fully healed and I’m ready to go,” said Pierre-paul, whom the Giants drafted 15th overall in 2010. “I’m trying to see what I can do. I already know what I’m going to do, but I want to see what I can do.”
Pierre- Paul is having a Pro Bowl- worthy season on Tampa Bay’s talent- studded defence. He ranks fifth in the NFL with 5.5 sacks and is tied for third in forced fumbles with three.
“He’s playing lights- out for us,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said.
That Pierre- Paul is still in the league is a wonder, considering the two serious injuries he has suffered — years after his breakout, all- pro season in 2011. The herniated disc he mentioned ( back/neck) threatened his career, as did the fluke fireworks incident five years ago that resulted in his right index finger being amputated.
“I’m here, I’ve made it, I’m blessed,” he said. “I told myself that if I ever were to get on the football field again, I wouldn’t complain about the small things, like somebody stepping on my feet, me missing a tackle.
“I’m just going to go out and play the game ( and have) fun like a little kid. Twice it could’ve been taken away from me. But it’s a special gift and God gave it to me.”
Tampa Bay is 5-2, in first place in the NFC South. The Giants are 1- 6, in the cellar of the NFC East.
Not only is Arians, 68, old enough to be the father of 38- year- old New York head coach Joe Judge, he used to play football with his father.
“His father and I were freshmen together at Virginia Tech ( in 1971),” Arians said. “I’ve known Joe for a long time. Heck of a football coach, and he’s earned his stripes.”