Jason Pierre-Paul has proved a “very pleasant surprise” to Bucs

The Bucs knew Jason Pierre-Paul would help their pass rush when they traded for him.
But he’s proved more than a pass rusher, taking on a leadership role with his words and his work ethic.
“Very pleasant surprise,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
“I guess I wasn’t expecting JPP to be the practice player and the leader that he’s been so far.
Really fired up about it.
Sometimes a guy that’s got his pedigree comes in and is looking for way out of drills and that’s not him at all.” Pierre-Paul “routinely” beat Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan during a joint practice with the Titans, according to Stroud.
Pierre-Paul, who attended South Florida, has 58.5 sacks in eight seasons, but he has not had a double-digit sack season since 2014.
He made 8.5 sacks last season.
The Bucs, though, expect Pierre-Paul to contribute in a big way both on the field and off.
“Him being in Tampa where he grew up is really important to him,” quarterback Jameis Winston said.