Ravens Add Much Needed Pass Rusher, Sign Veteran Jason Pierre-Paul
The Baltimore Ravens and free agent Jason Pierre-Paul agreed to a one-year deal on Thursday. The Ravens expressed interest in the 33-year old in the summer, with Pierre-Paul visiting the facility but leaving without a contract. With just two outside linebackers on the roster in Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh. The Ravens became desperate for another edge rusher, after outside linebacker Steven Means went down last Sunday with an achilles tear.
The Ravens scheduled a workout with Pierre-Paul on Tuesday and must have come away impressed with the three-time Pro Bowler, signing him just two days later.
Drafted by the Giants with their first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, Pierre-Paul has been a force on the defensive side of the ball since joining the league as he has racked up 603 total tackles, 91.5 career sacks, and 21 forced fumbles. In just his second year Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks on his way to helping the Giants to a Super Bowl victory.
Pierre-Paul’s career almost came to a tragic end however in the offseason of 2015. While celebrating the fourth of July at his home. Pierre-Paul had a firework detonated in his right hand. After going to the hospital, Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated. Pierre-Paul would have his worst season as a pro in 2015, amassing only one sack in eight games.
Pierre-Paul spent eight season with the Giants before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. Pierre-Paul would lead the Buccaneers in sacks his first year with the team with 12.5. In the offseason leading up to 2019. Pierre-Paul would suffer another injury away from the field. This time he was involved in a car accident fracturing his neck, forcing him to miss the first six games of the year. Pierre-Paul would return to finish the season with 8.5 sacks.
Pierre-Paul would return to form in 2020, playing in all 16 games for the Buccaneers, on his way to his second Super Bowl victory.
While Pierre-Paul will be unavailable this Sunday, the Ravens are hopeful that this signing will improve upon a pass rush that has struggled through the first two weeks of the season. With Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo still recovering from torn achilles, and their timetable to return uncertain. Pierre-Paul will be leaned on heavily to turn this outside linebacking group around.
