Pierre-Paul emerges as a force

It has been nearly two decades since Giants fans last saw a defensive starter referenced by his initials. LT became the preferred designation for the greatest defensive player in franchise history -- arguably NFL history, too -- as Lawrence Taylor put on a weekly show with his brilliant play.

Could it be that another player with another set of initials is taking his place as the Giants' next defensive star?

JPP may not have quite the coolness and unmistakable sound as LT, but Jason Pierre-Paul certainly is making it seem as if we are seeing a player who someday could rival Taylor in importance to the Giants.

An absurd statement less than two years into his career? Maybe not.

Giants linebacker/defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka believes it is appropriate to reference Pierre-Paul in the same breath as Taylor. Pierre-Paul, a second-year defensive end, has emerged as a force with his brilliant pass-rush technique -- and one of the most crucial blocked field-goal attempts in franchise history.

"I don't think it's too early to put him in that category [with Taylor]," Kiwanuka said. "He's developing into one of the great players in this league, not just on this team. It still remains to be seen how well and how long he can play and be healthy. But as long as he prepares and develops the way he does, he's going to be great for a long time. You don't get luck and make that many plays. I think you're witnessing the development of a player going from good to great."

That's lofty praise from a man who has seen firsthand the transformation of Pierre-Paul from a raw rookie to a game-changing defensive star. And it's not simply hyperbole from a teammate looking to pump up a second-year player. Kiwanuka is one of the most intelligent players in football and never one to exaggerate. What he sees is what the Giants saw in Pierre-Paul during a complicated scouting process leading up to the 2010 draft.

Unlike Taylor, who was universally acknowledged as a blue-chip talent coming out of North Carolina in 1981, entering the '10 draft, Pierre-Paul had only one year of major college experience at the University of South Florida after spending the two previous seasons at two different junior colleges. But general manager Jerry Reese believed there was a massive upside in terms of sheer talent, so he took a calculated gamble on Pierre-Paul and selected him in the first round.

It might have been one of the most significant draft-day decisions in franchise history. After a rookie season in which he produced 4½ sacks and showed flashes on a defense already loaded with talent along the line, Pierre-Paul now is the Giants' playmaker on his side of the ball. If he's not the next LT, perhaps he's the next Michael Strahan, the greatest defensive end in team history.

JPP had his best career game when the Giants needed it most in Sunday night's 37-34 win over the Cowboys, a win that tied the Giants and Dallas and snapped a four-game losing streak. Pierre-Paul had two sacks -- the first of which resulted in a first-quarter safety -- forced a fumble deep in Dallas territory in the third quarter and blocked a potential tying field goal in the final seconds.

After Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey was forced to make a second attempt at the tying 47-yard field goal -- Giants coach Tom Coughlin had called timeout a nanosecond before Bailey nailed his first try -- Pierre-Paul rushed up the middle, raised his hands and deflected the ball to preserve the win.

"The guard kept blocking me the whole time, so I tried to jump by the center," said Pierre-Paul, who has a team-high 12½ sacks. "I just went through the center and got through."

Pierre-Paul acknowledged it was "the best game of my career." His emergence is especially critical because Justin Tuck (toe) and Osi Umenyiora (ankle) might miss this week's game "A lot of big games coming up," Pierre-Paul said, referring to the Giants' final three games against Washington, the Jets and Dallas. "We've got to keep this thing going."

The Giants have a chance to keep it going as long as the stars on each side of the ball continue their heroics. With Eli Manning on one side and Pierre-Paul on the other, the Giants have reason for optimism.

Two decades ago, it was Phil Simms and LT combining forces for the Giants. Today, the names and initials are Eli and JPP.