The usual course of action: When the man who signs the checks reaches out, you reach back. But nothing is usual when it comes to the way Jason Pierre-Paul is dealing with the Giants.
Co-owner Steve Tisch revealed he attempted to contact Pierre-Paul after the star defensive end suffered serious and permanent injuries to his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident, and that he has not heard back from JPP.
“It’s been very frustrating,” Tisch told the Giants website. “I’ve reached out to Jason. I’ve not heard back from Jason. I’m not going to hold that against him. I understand his situation is difficult, complicated, and I’m sure very confusing to him personally.’’
There has been a slight thaw in the player-team relations, as general manager Jerry Reese, coach Tom Coughlin and defensive line coach Robert Nunn all have recently had conversations with Pierre-Paul, who has yet to sign his $14.8 million franchise tender and, as a result, is in contractual limbo with the Giants. Based on the contact, it appears JPP will not show up until he feels he is close or ready to practice.
“My first priority and my first message is that I care about him as a man,’’ Tisch said. “I think whatever issues he has to deal with, I’m sure are complicated, frustrating and difficult. My message to him is get better, we cheer for you. [Senior vice president of medical services] Ronnie [Barnes] and our doctors have access to the best doctors, if not in New York City and the country, possibly in the world. He should take advantage of that.
“Let us see you sooner than later. You’re not going to be judged, you’re going to be helped.”
Following three consecutive non-playoff seasons, Tisch said, “I think we have to play a much higher level of football.’’ As for the 2015 season, Tisch is optimistic.
“I think we’ve got great talent, and I think Tom is a great motivator,’’ Tisch said. “I think Eli [Manning], based on his statistics last season, has certainly proved to his teammates, to the Giants fans, that he’s playing at the top of his game going into his 12th season.
“My hopes are that we have a great regular season, and at the end of December, find ourselves into the playoffs which our fans deserve. I think the team deserves to be playing at that level and hopefully by the middle/end of December, we’re looking not to go home, but to go forward.”
Tisch said he believes the return of Steve Spagnuolo to direct the defense — he was the Giants defensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008 — will be a great benefit.
“Perry [Fewell] did a great job, but I think Spagnuolo brings something a little extra to this team,’’ Tisch said. “I think his connection to the Giants has tremendous value.
“I think our offense is going to be very, very impressive. I do think with the experience Spags had with us, and brings back to us, that makes me sleep a little better at night, knowing that Steve’s back running the defense. I’m sure it makes Tom feel very comfortable, also.”
Tisch is the producer of “Southpaw’’ and reported that the boxing movie, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams, has exceeded expectations at the box office. It brought in $16.5 million its opening weekend.
“When all the numbers were in, the movie opened closer to $17 million, which is more than 20 percent [higher],” Tisch said. “So we were very, very pleased.”
Now Tisch is hoping the Giants exceed expectations heading into the 2015 season.
