USF's Pierre-Paul becomes giant among Giants

There's a popular YouTube video of Jason Pierre-Paul reeling off 14 consecutive backflips before the 2010 International Bowl.

On Sunday night, the former University of South Florida standout may have an opportunity to stretch that mark – while balancing the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

In only his second NFL season, the Pro Bowl defensive end of the New York Giants looms as a towering 6-foot-5 presence heading into a Super Bowl rematch against the New England patriots.

"He had a heck of a year and he does a lot of things other players in this league can't do,'' Patriots Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins said. "Pierre-Paul is a big guy with very good skills. As an offensive line, we're going to have to play our best game of the year, probably the best game of some of our careers.''

Led by Pierre-Paul, a relentless pass rush has made Atlanta's Matt Ryan, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and San Francisco's Alex Smith look like pedestrian quarterbacks during New York's improbable Super Bowl march.

After the Giants selected Pierre-Paul out of USF with the 15th pick in the 2010 draft, they talked up his rare athleticism. Little did New York coaches and executives know that at the age of 23, Pierre-Paul would quickly develop into arguably the game's best young defensive lineman.

"You knew he was a great athlete coming into the league, but now he's a heck of a football player,'' Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said Monday. "This kid's got some juice and his upside is out of sight.''

Besides finishing fourth in the NFL with 16.5 sacks, Pierre-Paul topped all defensive linemen with 86 tackles.

"To be able to move him around and put him against different people and have him perform at that level, it is not a surprise to any of us,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "We are very grateful it has come as fast as it has.''

Now, Pierre-Paul's focus is on disrupting the timing of New England quarterback Tom Brady, who has marginal mobility but excels at getting rid of the ball quickly.

"They have a great offensive line, but any line can be beat,'' Pierre-Paul said. "Applying pressure is the big thing, otherwise Brady is going to dink and drop us all the way in our secondary. We just have to get to him fast enough.''

The Patriots are bracing for a deep and versatile defensive line that allows New York to generate heat with a four-man rush. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are healthy and Pierre-Paul is eager to showcase his unique skills set on the biggest stage in American sports.

"I remember when I was playing with Julius Peppers in Carolina,'' Giants safety Deon Grant said. "He was playing on pure talent. When I look at Jason Pierre-Paul, I haven't seen a guy like that since Peppers.''

Pierre-Paul's learning curve has been startling.

He didn't start playing football until his senior year at Deerfield Beach High and played only one year with the Bulls after attending two community colleges.

Despite his inexperience, Pierre-Paul certainly doesn't lack for confidence.

He caused a bit of a stir three weeks ago after the Giants romped past the Falcons 24-2 in the opening playoff round.

"We're going to win,'' Pierre-Paul vowed, referring to New York's upcoming trip to Lambeau Field to face the 15-1 Packers. "One hundred percent. We're going to win because we're the best.''

The Giants dropped Rodgers four times in a 37-20 upset and Pierre-Paul registered six tackles and a half-sack in the NFC title game at San Francisco as New York won 20-17 in overtime.

After only two NFL seasons, Pierre-Paul has the look of a perennial Pro Bowler whose accomplishments will be heralded each fall in the halls of USF.

And here's a scary note for New York's future opponents.

"I can get better,'' Pierre-Paul said, "and when I do, there's going to be trouble.''