NASHVILLE, Tenn (WFLA) – When you are as accomplished as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, you could easily grab a day off or two during training camp.
Pace in practice?
A veteran player can judge how hard he needs to go to prepare for the season.
JPP?
He has a motor set for one speed: full.
Pierre-Paul drew attention at Wednesday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans during one-on-one drills. Going up against Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan, Pierre-Paul dominated physically and technically. It was not close. And JPP let Lewan know about it.
The arrival of the Bucs biggest free agent acquisition was not met with celebration.
It was more like an interrogation.
Pierre-Paul first reported to a practice on the first day of the Bucs mandatory mini-camp in June.
He missed the entire voluntary portion of the offseason. His dedication was questioned, at least by those outside of One Buc Place.
Since the introduction? Leadership.
Pierre-Paul has demonstrated his work ethic, rather than talk about it. His teammates have noticed.
So has head coach Dirk Koetter, who never questioned Pierre-Paul’s ability or desire to work. But a few moves at Wednesday’s practice served as a reminder that this veteran player is ready to win and bring others with him.
“I guess [I] wasn’t expecting JPP to be the practice player and the leader that he’s been so far,” Koetter said.
“I’m really fired up about it. Sometimes a guy that’s got his pedigree comes in and is looking for ways out of drills, and that’s not him at all.”
