JPP arrives at One Buc Place

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The biggest piece of the Buccaneers’ defensive line rebuild has finally made his first appearance in a Bucs uniform. Jason-Pierre Paul arrived, joining his new team after skipping all 10 of the Bucs OTA's.

"Had a lot of moving around,” explained Pierre-Paul. "Bring my stuff from Jersey. Making sure my son was situated. That was basically it."

The missed time cost JPP a reported quarter-million dollars, but the nine-year veteran isn't concerned with time missed. He's ready to show the Bucs what he brings.

"Effort man,” said Pierre-Paul. "I think it starts by effort and determination. Every guys has to be determined to win. Think of winning and putting in the work. We put in the work and we'll be fine."

JPP gives the Bucs the pure pass rusher they've been looking for since Simeon Rice left 11 years ago. He also adds veteran leadership to a team that is led by Gerald McCoy. 

JPP isn't looking to steal McCoy's spotlight, rather he wants to be a complement.

"Honestly Gerald is the guy here,” said Pierre-Paul. "I'm all for falling behind him. We are going to do it together. I'm a guy that doesn't really speak much. Everybody sees my effort from my play of my football game. I'm not a vocal leader. That's something I've never been. You just see it in my game."

JPP will spend these three days of minicamp getting re-acclimated to the Tampa's weather. It's been nine years since he played for the USF Bulls and he admits he's already feeling the heat.