TAMPA, Fla. _ Bucs defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul admitted Wednesday that playing his former team this week will not be like any regular game.
Pierre-Paul, who was traded by the New York Giants _ the only organization he played for in his first eight NFL seasons _ back in March, he said he's long had this week circled on his calendar.
"It's been checked off since I left there, and I'm pretty sure they know I'm bringing the house down," Pierre-Paul said. "So at the end of the day, it is what it is. I know once I get there, I'm just going to be going 100 percent, man."
The Giants dealt Pierre-Paul _ who was a part of a Super Bowl winning team in 2011, became a fan favorite and overcame a horrific fireworks injury to his right hand _ after he signed a four-year, $62 million deal one year earlier that guaranteed him $40 million.
But moving Pierre-Paul was one of the first moves new Giants GM Dave Gettleman made to unload cap space, especially since Pierre-Paul might have had a reduced role in the Giants' new 3-4 defensive scheme under new coach Pat Shurmur.
On Wednesday, Pierre-Paul didn't deny he was displeased with how the Giants parted ways with him, but said he knee it was a business decision.
"I wouldn't say I'm necessarily angry," Pierre-Paul said. "I only got a phone call, but at the end of the day, it's business. You've got to keep it moving, and that's what it is."
Asked about actually being able to "lay a hand" on Giants quarterback Eli Manning this week, Pierre-Paul said it wouldn't be the first time.
"Actually I did lay a hand on Eli a couple times in practice," Pierre-Paul said. "The new rules, you've got to lay him down, so I'll lay him down if I get there. ... I know one thing, if (Manning) is hot, he's on, he's going to continue to be hot. We've got to get after them early.
"He knows I'm coming, though," Pierre-Paul said, looking into TV cameras playfully and saying, "I'm coming, Eli."
