Bucs’ Jason Pierre-Paul: ‘We’ve got a lot of guys who just don’t keep it real’

TAMPA — Bucs defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul stood at his locker Monday, a swarm of reporters around him, and shared his pride in maintaining a high level of play while battling through his most physically taxing season in the NFL.

In his first season in Tampa Bay, Pierre-Paul — who will turn 30 on Tuesday — recorded 12.5 sacks, matching the second-highest total of his career and his most since 2014.

He reached that mark while battling through a variety of injuries, playing one of the highest snap count percentages for any defensive player. He entered Sunday having played 90 percent of his team's defensive snaps, which was the second highest among defensive players.

"I am happy to be here, man, and I did everything I can this year," Pierre-Paul said. "I fought, fought, fought. Even yesterday, I got injured and still fought and finished the game. That is the type of player I am. We just need more consistent players like that, no matter what. Because if we are winning, we are all happy. We are all happy.

"We all have got to be in synch for us to get to where we need to go. Obviously, we fell short of that. We weren't all in synch. At times we were, but not on a consistent basis of it."

Pierre-Paul, however, did share his frustration in the Bucs' 5-11 season, which ended Sunday with coach Dirk Koetter fired.

And as an All-Pro player and former Super Bowl champion, on Monday he alluded to some communication issues within the Bucs locker room that good teams lack.

"I think the difference between certain teams that reach the playoffs and (ones that don't) is when you have a certain group of guys that who just keep it real with each other," Pierre-Paul said. "You just don't care (about other things). You just play for each other. I think we have been playing for each other, but on the keeping it real point, I think we've got a lot of guys who just don't keep it real, man.

"I'm just being real. That's basically it. Just keeping it real. Just saying what's on your mind. Don't ever hide what's on your mind. And I never hide what's on my mind. I'll tell you if I don't like you, I don't like you as a person, I'm gonna let you know. … I'll let you know if I don't like you as a person, but I'll always give up the most respect for you. But as a football player, I'm just looking for guys who are going to give it their all."

Pierre-Paul has often said he has a different threshold for pain after enduring the fireworks accident that seriously damaged his right hand, which is how he explains his ability to play through various injuries. Over the course of the season, Pierre-Paul battled through knee, hip, shoulder, foot, ribs and hand injuries but didn't miss a game.

"The truth of the matter is, everybody can't do everything," Pierre-Paul said. "When you do all that pounding, you will see who wants to really play this game called football. It will separate you from different guys, different breeds. I am a different breed, man. I proved that this year. I don't care what they say. Can't nobody do it like me."

Asked about Pierre-Paul's comments, general manager Jason Licht said the Bucs' locker room is a "great group" overall.

"I think Jason would agree with that," Licht said. "Jason has a high standard, a very high standard, for all of his teammates. Jason is a great leader as well. So Jason is sometimes using some words to motivate others, but overall, really like the group we have."

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.