







EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – To New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's teammates and coaches, his utter lack of self-consciousness is an endearing quality.

To opponents, it's endangering.

As Pierre-Paul prepares for his third season, hoping to follow up on his breakout, 16 ½-sack campaign that helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI, the natural tendency is to attribute his success to his freakish athletic ability.

While he is his physical gifts are unquestionable – as evidenced by his legendary back flips – that ignores another important quality:

Pierre-Paul is not afraid to ask questions, even questions others might be embarrassed to ask. He's also not afraid to make mistakes. Full-on, high-speed mistakes. While the instinct of many is to avoid reaching out for help, Pierre-Paul knows what he doesn't know and is trying to learn quickly.

"I think I said something to him about his hand placement and there he was by the end of practice, fixing it," defensive lineman Justin Tuck said. "I think we said something to him about his stance a month ago and he fixed it.

"He's not just trying to get by on his athletic ability. He's trying to go way beyond that."

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That fact led Tuck to a somewhat staggering evaluation of just how far Pierre-Paul may progress this season.

"I don't see anybody in this league at that position who has that kind of athleticism," Tuck said of Pierre-Paul. "And yes, I'm talking about [Chicago defensive end Julius] Peppers, I'm talking about [Dallas linebacker] DeMarcus [Ware] and [Buffalo defensive end] Mario (Williams), all those guys.

"I really don't see anybody who has that ability to adjust his body in positions that he can do. A man that big should not be allowed to do that. He's truly a freak. The sky is the limit for him and I know we use that cliché a lot, but it's really true with him because of his work ethic."

Pierre-Paul may have the mix of talent and personality that creates the truly rare athlete – a talented overachiever. It's the combination of force that creates the likes of Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning and Emmitt Smith.





During Pierre-Paul's first two seasons, which have produced 21 ½ sacks, Pierre-Paul has gotten by mostly on raw ability. In the background is a player who is extraordinarily interested in learning a game he only started playing as a senior in high school.

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