Jints coach: ‘It’s great’ to have JPP back in ‘D’ mix

INDIANAPOLIS — Giants coach Ben McAdoo sounded relieved Jason Pierre-Paul will be back patrolling the Giants’ defense after the team put the franchise tag on him this week.

“It’s great to have JPP around, think highly of him,’’ McAdoo said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Obviously that’s the business part of the equation, I try to stay out of that as much as I can. Jason’s a great part of the team, someone who made some progress last year and it will be good to have him back.’’

The problem for the Giants is Pierre-Paul’s franchise tag will count $17 million on the salary cap, which is why a long-term deal before the March 9 start of free agency is desirable.

With the $17 million lopped off the cap, the Giants at the moment have just $13.2 million in salary cap money, according to OverTheCap.com. Just four teams have less cap room: Chiefs, Eagles, Chargers and Cowboys. So far, Victor Cruz has met with just one team after the Giants released him Feb. 13, a meeting in Carolina that certainly made sense, considering Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman was in personnel with the Giants when Cruz first arrived in 2010.

“The meeting went f ine,’’ Gettleman said Wednesday at the combine. “Obviously I’ve got a history with Victor. We just shared ideas, wanted to get a physical on him and have him sit with the coaches.’’

No contract offer was made to Cruz.

“We’re just gonna continue to discuss it,’’ Gettleman said.

Former Giants guard Chris Snee is back at the combine. He is working for his father-in-law, Tom Coughlin, helping the Jaguars’ personnel department evaluate the offensive linemen.