Arizona Cardinals linked to Jason Pierre-Paul

The Arizona Cardinals have been linked to an explosive free agent (in more ways than one)

Official Tampering Period has finally begun and the rumors will start to pop-up, some good, some bad, some, well, you don’t really know. Put this one in that final category.

The Arizona Cardinals have been linked to former New York Giant Jason Pierre-Paul to solidify their pass rush. JPP, if you will remember, had a bit of a turbulent season after he injured himself in a fireworks accident last offseason on July 4th. The damage to his hand, claiming upwards of two and a half fingers, was extensive enough that the Giants opted to not sign him again, even after franchising him the year before in hopes of a long term deal.

Pierre-Paul comes with his own batch of intrigue surrounding the PR event his signing would be and the countless days of analysis on his damaged hand and how you can pass rush if you can’t grab on to an elusive quarterback. All that aside, before his injury JPP was an elite pass rusher in this league and with the right environment and analysis of his abilities post-accident, he could make a valuable addition to the team.

Via Arizona Sports’ John Gambodoro:

In his last full season before his accident JPP had 12.5 sacks while starting all 16 games. Last season, playing in eight games, he only accumulated 1 sack. His conditioning after the accident was never in doubt due to some PR saving tweets about lifting, even with missing digits.

JPP has played in 83 career games, notes Arizona Sports, with 312 combined tackles, 43 sacks, eight forced fumbles, six recovered and two interceptions. The two-time Pro Bowler was named and First-Team All Pro in 2011 and was the 15th overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Honestly, if JPP can even bring part of his 2014 season back, he would make a valuable addition to the team.