TAMPA, Fla. -- After losing three straight games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired defensive coordinator Mike Smith and promoted linebackers coach Mark Duffner. One player they can count on to help ease the transition is defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who has exceeded expectations since being acquired in a trade from the New York Giants this past offseason.
Pierre-Paul has five sacks through five games, which is two away from league leaders J.J. Watt and Danielle Hunter. He's also tied with Jimmy Wilkerson for the team lead through the first five games of the season since 2004 (Simeon Rice had eight through five games in 2003).