Just pay the man
JPP’s true value makes him indispensable
THIS is a nobrainer Giants, don’t mess it up.
Soontobe free agent Jason PierrePaul must be resigned. The importance of defense has increased with the rise of Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants offense.
Good defense will translate into more victories next season because the offense now is capable of putting more points on the board, with Beckham leading the way.
“I think I’m worth a lot of money,’’ PierrePaul said Friday. He’s right about that. Does he feel he will be a Giant next season?
“I really don’t know,’’ JPP said. “I can’t answer that question truthfully. Who knows if I’m going to be in a Giants uniform?
“The numbers are there, I had a great season, everybody sees it, there really is nothing else to say. “Just negotiations. And it’s coming.’’ Asked if there would be a hometown discount, the answer was clear.
“It’s going to be a business decision,’’ the defensive end said. “It’s going to be about my family and what I want to pursue. Like I said earlier in the season, if I’m a Giant, I’ll be a Giant for my whole life. Who knows what is going to happen?’’
No one knows the true value of players like teammates, so listen to these words from Antrel Rolle, another free agent.
“JPP means so much to this defense, I think he is definitely the best player on this defense and he’s so young and there is so much room left to grow,’’ the 10year veteran told The Post. “This is someone you definitely want to build this franchise around going forward.’’
The Giants finish this disappointing season with the Eagles on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
“Both JPP and myself are a huge part of this defense. Hopefully they bring us both back and we can finish what we started,’’ Rolle said.
“It’s a good feeling,’’ PierrePaul said of free agency. “I got through five years.
“I’ve made the best decision to better me and my family. I’d love to be a Giant for the rest of my career, but at the end of the day it doesn’t always fall like that. Look at [Justin] Tuck. Look at Osi [Umenyiora]. Look at Brandon Jacobs.”
There is a difference. PierrePaul will be a 26yearold free agent.
“I am entering my prime. There’s much more football for me to play at a very high intensity level, I was never worried about it,’’ he said of his contract status. “I think I did a great job this year of playing football.
“Each year I’m growing and learning. It’s been a tough season, but the guys followed behind me, I think I did a great job of leading them this year. At the end of the day it all falls on me.’’
He said he does not think about the fact this could be his last game as a Giant.
“Sunday I’m going to put on a show and give it everything I got because it is the last game of the season,’’ he said confidently.
Noted defensive coordinator Perry Fewell of PierrePaul: “I wouldn’t want to play without him and I think he is a valuable part of this organization.’’
The Giants were humiliated by the Eagles, 270 in early October.
“They embarrassed us the first time and we have to go out there and play,’’ JPP said.
“What matters is playing focused and win this last game as a Giant,’’ he added. “They caught us offguard. They went fastpaced. We weren’t ready for it at all, but we did a great job preparing for them this week and it’s going to be totally different from the first game. I can guarantee you that. We owe them one.
“This year, my main goal was no matter what injury occurred to me I have to go out there and keep fighting … and it all paid off.’’
It really is going to pay off this offseason, and the Giants must be the team doing the paying.