The first day of Bucs mandatory mini-camp meant it was the first chance the media — and even current Buccaneer players — got a look at defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in a Bucs uniform.
Before practice, Pierre-Paul addressed the media for the first time and answered the question that was on everyone’s mind: Why did he skip out on OTA practices with his new teammates?
Sounds like Pierre-Paul had some off-the-field things he had to take care of since being traded for back in March. He assured everyone that all of that is now situated and he is in Tampa to stay, for mini-camp and training camp.
Pierre-Paul was asked about a few of his new teammates on Tuesday, too. The first question was about his quarterback, Jameis Winston, and if he had the chance to talk to him yet.
From that quote, it appears Winston and Pierre-Paul got off to the right start as two focal points on their sides of the ball.
The next question was about the player Pierre-Paul will be lining up next to form time to time, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Pierre-Paul, as a nine-year veteran in the NFL, was asked if he would be will to take a backseat in terms of leadership since he’s coming into team that McCoy has been the face of for a long time.
Pierre-Paul said that he has no problem letting this be McCoy’s team, but added that they’ll lead together in how they play. Pierre-Paul said that he’s not as much of a vocal leader as he is a lead-by-example kind of player.
Finally, Pierre-Paul sounded very excited to get to play next to linebacker Lavonte David again — the two both played junior college together before the NFL.
In one of the last questions he answered on the day, Pierre-Paul was asked what his expectations were, or what the team’s expectations should be, knowing what happened to this team last year in 2017.
His answer was simple: The goal is — still and always — to win a Super Bowl.
