Jason Pierre-Paul ended final season and not using a contract or a wholesome pair of shoulders.
Eight months later, he has a brand new dwelling and a brand new outlook on his well being. The veteran outdoors linebacker, who signed a one-year deal Monday with the pass-rush-starved Ravens, mentioned Friday that he feels “totally way better” after offseason surgical procedure.
“I was playing with only one shoulder last year,” mentioned Pierre-Paul, who had 2 1/2 sacks in 12 video games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Since Game 3, I was playing with one shoulder. Imagine playing with one shoulder as a defensive end. I did what I could do for the team and I held my own, but not having two shoulders is a big thing. Plus, I couldn’t grab, I couldn’t snatch, but I can do all that now.”
Pierre-Paul, 33, mentioned he had a tear in his rotator cuff and in a biceps tendon final season, when he graded out as one in every of Pro Football Focus’ least efficient edge rushers. With his higher physique mounted, the three-time Pro Bowl choice mentioned he was centered on getting again into recreation form forward of Sunday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Coach John Harbaugh on Friday declined to touch upon who would possibly play in Week 4, however Pierre-Paul mentioned he’d be prepared, although he acknowledged he was “playing catch-up.” He was a full participant in follow Wednesday and Thursday.
“First week of practice, it went well,” he mentioned. “I think I’m adjusting to the calls pretty well, getting the calls pretty well, getting my legs back under me. … But I’ve been in this position before, so it’s not going to hold me back.”
Pierre-Paul, who first labored out for the Ravens in June, mentioned he appreciated the chance to play in Baltimore. The Ravens have been ravaged by harm at outdoors linebacker — Steven Means suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in Week 2, and Justin Houston is unlikely to play Sunday — and Pierre-Paul mentioned the entrance workplace “took care” of him financially.
Pierre-Paul, a two-time Super Bowl champion, mentioned his early impressions of his new crew have been optimistic. He mentioned the Ravens have championship potential.
“I look around, the way they practice, they practice hard; the way they get after the ball, the way they communicate with each other, I think we have a pretty good shot,” he mentioned. “But you have to put in the hard work to get there. Every team starts off saying we can go to the Super Bowl during the season, but it’s the hard work that you put in. You know what I’m saying? I know that for a fact.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com