EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jason Pierre-Paul no longer is the freakish athlete with the big upside.
The second-year defensive end’s days of impressing his New York Giants teammates with his athleticism are over.
What stands out for the rest of the Giants these days — more than his one-handed catches in practice while laterally jumping over rectangular foam obstacles — is what the 23-year-old Pierre-Paul is doing on the field.
Not only is he the best player on the Giants’ defense, he is now among the best in the NFL.
Doubt it? Check out this list of honors: Pro Bowl. All-pro. Two NFC defensive player of the week awards. Conference player of the month in December.
Not enough? How about his game-saving block of Dan Bailey’s 47-yard field goal attempt in the most important game of the season at Dallas in early December when the postseason was on the line? Then there’s his 16½ sacks — the fourth-highest total in Giants history — to go with 23 tackles for losses and 29 quarterback hits.
Ouch!
So if you’re wondering who will make a game-changing play in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots, find No. 90 in the white uniform Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis because chances are he will be the one making the play.
“He’s a thoroughbred,” said two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who lost his starting job to Pierre-Paul through a combination of injuries and just better play. “His motor, man, just never stops.”
Pierre-Paul has created his own highlight film in helping the Giants (12-7) get to the Super Bowl for a second matchup with the Patriots (15-3) in four years.
Besides his field goal block against the Cowboys, people tend to forget that Pierre-Paul also had eight tackles and two sacks, including one for a safety, in the game that allowed New York to end a four-game losing streak and get back in the playoff hunt.
The other play his coaches rave about came in a 49-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints. It turned out to be meaningless, but it was such a good play. The Saints faked a field goal on the opening drive and Pierre-Paul came from one side of the field to the other to stop Jimmy Graham only 1 yard shy of a first down.
His coaches insist no other lineman in the NFL could have made the play.
“I’m still learning,” said Pierre-Paul. “I’m taking steps. I have a ways to go.”
That’s scary because Pierre-Paul dominated this season, particularly early on when the opposition had yet to realize his impact and send double-team blocks his way.
