The Pewter Plank
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4 pleasant surprises for the Buccaneers in 2018

By Ryan Doyle

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 04: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a call at the line against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 04: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a call at the line against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 28: Jason Pierre Paul #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 28: Jason Pierre Paul #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

DL Jason Pierre-Paul

Pierre-Paul had a bounce-back season with the New York Giants in 2017. He accumulated 8.5 sacks and played in all 16 games for Big Blue. Even so, the new management with the Giants didn’t see him as a part of their future and shipped him to Tampa for a third-round pick.

Related Story. Jason Pierre-Paul primed for resurgence in 2018. light

The move made plenty of sense for the Bucs. They were desperate for a pass rusher and at 29 years old, Pierre-Paul has plenty of good football left in him.

Still, to see Pierre-Paul to rack up sacks and pressures like he has this season is shocking. Back issues and the fireworks accident held him back in previous years, but he has resurged in the warm Florida weather.

Already at eight sacks on the year, he may finally end the embarrassing drought of not having a player with double-digit sacks in a single season.

Pierre-Paul had a lengthy injury history and wasn’t expected to carry the Buccaneers defensive line single-handedly, he has done just that and more.

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