Everyone happy with play of Jason Pierre-Paul

It was a good start for Jason Pierre-Paul. Now the Giants want more.

"For the first time out of the box, it was obvious our players were happy that he was out there with us," coach Tom Coughlin said Monday, a day after Pierre-Paul played in nearly three-quarters of the team's defensive snaps. "He's going to do nothing but get better."

Pierre-Paul made two tackles and had two quarterback hits. He also was one of the few Giants defensive linemen who were able to apply pressure on Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston. The rookie quarterback was able to elude him but was less effective throwing and making decisions on the run while JPP was nipping at his heels.

It stands to reason that Pierre-Paul could have gotten a sack or two against a less mobile quarterback, one who is more pocket-anchored. Someone like, oh, Tom Brady, perhaps?

"Obviously, the guy hadn't played, so he was rusty in terms of that, but I thought he got some great jumps off the snap and I thought his inside move was an outstanding move," Coughlin said. "He's in outstanding condition. He'll assume whatever roles we need to design in order for us to maximize his ability."

Brinkley gets ball

Jasper Brinkley started at middle linebacker because Jon Beason (injured reserve) and Uani 'Unga (neck) were unavailable. He wound up leading the team with seven tackles and had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

"He is a force in the middle," Coughlin said. "He is able to recognize things and he is physical."

For that, he received a game ball at Monday's team meeting. What he did not receive is any job security. Coughlin praised Brinkley for his play but would not commit to him as the starting middle linebacker.

"We'll see how that goes," Coughlin said. "He did play well."

Giant steps

Coughlin's murky answers in regard to the immediate future of tackle Will Beatty could mean he won't be activated off the physically unable to perform list this week. In that case, he would be placed on injured reserve. "Will is going to practice this week and a decision will be made," Coughlin said. "We know what to do with him. It'll be whether or not he moves [on to] the roster." . . . Cornerback Prince Amukamara (pectoral strain) is expected to return this week . . . Wide receiver Rueben Randle (hamstring) said he felt sore after Sunday's game but better than the last few weeks. He said he believes he'll have to work around the injury in practice this week and hopes to be fully healthy for the Nov. 29 game at Washington, a week after the team's bye . . . According to linebacker Jonathan Casillas, Devon Kennard wore the radio helmet that receives communications from the sideline and called most of the defensive plays.

By Tom Rock

tom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.