New York Giants

Coughlin still expects JPP to be at Giants' minicamp in June

Published May. 28, 2015 10:50 a.m. ET

foxsports

As teams gather for organized training activities, or OTAs, it is important to keep in mind that , attendance as negotiated by the league and its players is optional. That fun fact often gets lost with fans and coaches because most players participate. For example, when the New York Giants convened for their first set of OTAs on Tuesday, the only healthy players missing were Steve Weatherford and Jason Pierre-Paul. Weatherford is at home with his family as he awaits the birth of his fourth child and Pierre-Paul is away for personal reasons likely tied to his contract situation.

All is well--for now at least. When the team hosts their annual "mandatory" minicamp from June 16-18, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin won't be willing to sweep Pierre-Paul's absence under the rug if the defensive end chooses to sit out the minicamp as well.

"The question that was asked of me was do I expect him to be here and I said, 'Yes,'" coach Tom Coughlin told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "It is not hopeful. It is I expect him to be here."

Pierre-Paul is coming off a final stretch where he racked up nine sacks in the team's final five games. With Antrel Rolle and Justin Tuck no longer in the picture, Coughlin and the team are likely hoping that Pierre-Paul can fill the leadership void as one of the defense's most tenured players. In order to do that, he's going to have to sign his franchise tender and show up to help lead by example.

(h/t True Jersey)

Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images