BOOM! BOOM!
Concerns JPP may miss start of season BigB Blue won’t give fireworks fool long- term deal now
The only certainty resulting from Jason PierrePaul’s illadvised tussle with those fireworks that left injuries to both of his hands on July 4 is this: His actions were dumb beyond description.
Now, for the fallout. After PierrePaul’s “well being,’’ which the Giants on Monday stated — unequivocally— is their top priority, the next question is whether he has jeopardized his longterm financial future.
It appears the Giants’ 26yearold defensive end has put his financial future in significant peril as a result of his poor judgment and behavior, not to mention the uncertainty of his physical status after suffering what have been described as “severe’’ injuries that might include nerve damage in one finger.
According to an ESPN report, PierrePaul is in danger of missing training camp and the start of the regular season.
As reticent as the Giants might have been to give PierrePaul a longterm contract before this incident — for his inconsistencies on the field and his immaturity off of it — this latest incident has them truly wary of locking him in for the long haul.
The NFL Network on Monday reported the Giants rescinded a $ 60 million contract offer it had on the table for Pierre Paul as a result of the fireworks incident. However, an NFL source told The Post the report was “100 percent false.’’
The source did confirm there is an offer on the table for PierrePaul, but the team has not taken the offer away. That source, though, strongly indicated PierrePaul’s option in 2015 will be to play for the $ 14.8 million “franchise tag’’ tender offer presented to him.
PierrePaul has not yet signed that tender offer, but given the circumstances of his irresponsible actions over the weekend, he should rush to sign it as soon as possible using whatever fingers not injured from the fireworks blunder to scribble his signature.
The Giants have the option of pulling or altering their franchise tag offer, but they are not expected to do so.
“This just happened and no one really knows what the ultimate prognosis is,’’ the source told The Post. “He’s got the franchise tag and that’s what he will get this year if he is physically able.’’
PierrePaul is believed to have been seeking a larger deal than the $ 60 million. The Giants’ offer seemed to be in line with recent defensive linemen deals given to the Saints’ Cameron Jordan ( fiveyears, $ 55 million) and the Rams’ Robert Quinn ( four years, $ 57 million).
But it is believed PierrePaul fancies himself as a level above those players and he wants to be paid more. Now, he should feel fortunate to have the franchise tag deal to sign. Now, PierrePaul will play the 2015 season on a oneyear deal to prove whether he is worthy of a longterm contract.
Many questions remained unanswered Monday as PierrePaul remained in Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with injuries to his hands and fingers. He reportedly has severe burn damage on his palm and three fingers with one finger possibly having nerve damage.
While the Giants’ first concern has been “about JPP’s wellbeing,’’ they, too, have been doing their due diligence to figure out exactly the extent of his injuries.
ESPN reported Monday the Giants are “pretty pleased with the initial prognosis” of PierrePaul’s injuries.
What PierrePaul will be able to contribute this season remains in question given the uncertain nature of his injuries and the fact the Giants open training camp July 30.
The Giants have been hoping the 12.5 sacks PierrePaul recorded last season were a hint of more to come after he had slumped badly ( 8.5 sacks in 201213) in the sack department since he recorded 16.5 sacks in 2011.
Should these injuries compromise Pierre Paul, the passrushing burden will fall on Damontre Moore, who had 5.5 sacks lastseason, and rookie third round draft pick Owa Odighizuwa, who had some injury issues during minicamp and OTAs.