Looking leaner and more fit than he has in two years, Jason Pierre-Paul on Thursday described himself as “fully healthy and ready to go’’ as he looks to rebound from two unproductive and injury-slowed seasons.
JPP is down to 275 pounds, and the onus is on him to return to his 2011 form. He said he feels the way he did during that season, when he became a breakout star with 16 1/2 sacks.
“I already feel like it,’’ he said. “My weight’s good, I’m out there running and nothing’s bothering me so I’m in pretty good shape.’’
For the first time in his career, Pierre-Paul is not surrounded by marquee defensive ends to learn from and lean on. Osi Umenyiora was with the Falcons last year and Justin Tuck, after a throwback 2013 season, signed with the Raiders.
“I don’t feel pressure at all,’’ JPP said. “I’m ready to get out there and do what I do best, sack the quarterback and stop the run. I’m ready to get out there and show everybody.’’
WR Odell Beckham Jr. and RB Andre Williams missed the OTA to attend the NFL Players Association Rookie Premiere.
Packers TE Jermichael Finley, an unrestricted free agent, received medical clearance from the neurosurgeon who performed his neck vertebrae fusion surgery. Finley next has to be cleared by any team interested in signing him. The Packers remain a top contender. The Giants, with former Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo now their offensive coordinator, might make sense, but it appears they are content, for now, to go with the young tight ends on the roster.
Coach Tom Coughlin said RG Chris Snee, returning from hip and elbow surgeries “looks very good.’’
LT Will Beatty, coming off a broken leg, and WR Mario Manningham (knee) are not participating in the OTAs.
“Supposedly they’ll be ready for the fall,’’ Coughlin said, referring to at some point in training camp.
OL John Jerry, a free agent from the Dolphins, is sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery…. Giants co-owner Steve Tisch has donated $10 million to the department of neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA for the BrainSPORT Program, which will research youth and sports concussions.