Free-agent edge pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul has agreed to a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens. The signing removes one of the most accomplished pass-rushers off the open market.<\/p>\n
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Pierre-Paul only played one season at South Florida. But by season’s end, he became more than an internet sensation<\/a> who executed consecutive backflips like a seasoned acrobat. Pierre-Paul grew up in the Deerfield Beach community of Florida. He was more a basketball player than a football player in high school. Over time, Pierre-Paul took a liking to the sport.<\/p>\n He played one season at junior college powers, College of the Canyons in California and Fort Scott Comunity College in Kansas. At each stop, Pierre-Paul’s freakish athleticism became the attraction for fans. His play landed him at South Florida.<\/p>\n In his lone season with the Bulls, Pierre-Paul recorded 45 tackles (16 of them for losses), 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six against Syracuse. His outstanding play earned him First Team All-Big East honors.<\/p>\n The New York Giants<\/a> selected Pierre-Paul with the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. He would become one of the true gems of that year’s draft class.<\/p>\n in his rookie season, Pierre-Paul collected 4.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles. His sophomore campaign established him as one of the league’s dominant edge rushers. In 12 starts, Pierre-Paul recorded an NFL-high 16.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and scored a safety. His outstanding play led the Giants to their fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history. Also, it earned him First-Team All-Pro honors.<\/p>\n His career almost ended due to injuries sustained in a Fourth of July fireworks accident. The mishap permanently disfigured his right hand. After an intense rehab program, Pierre-Paul returned to his elite level as a pass-rusher. The impact he made on the Giants defense earned him a four-year, $62 million<\/a> contract extension.<\/p>\n Lingering back pain limited his effectiveness on the football field. Pierre-Paul became a likely trade candidate<\/a> as the Giants needed salary cap relief. A deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> alleviated all of the team’s financial issues. The Bucs absorb Pierre-Paul’s entire cap number ($17.5 million) to complete the trade.<\/p>\n The move sent him back to his home state of Florida. Pierre-Paul did not disappoint the home folks. His jump in production<\/a> was a key factor for the Bucs forming a dominant defensive front. It culminated with Pierre-Paul capturing his Second Super Bowl title in 2020. In that season, he totaled 9.5 sacks off the edge.<\/p>\n It has been a struggle of late as Pierre-Paul battled through a shoulder injury last season. It required off-season surgery to repair the joint. Despite the setback, he became a decent run-stuffer off the line of scrimmage. But Pierre-Paul could not generate much of a pass rush.<\/p>\n Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>