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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Driving a car for more than 30 minutes, standing up straight for extended periods and getting into his football stance all had the same effect on New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul last season. It hurt, and it hurt a lot. The 2011 All Pro player disclosed on Saturday that he played last season in pain, and it didnt go away until he had disk surgery on his back in June. "A back is a really, really horrible thing to have, back surgery period and you dont want to rush back," Pierre-Paul said Saturday before the Giants held their first practice. "Im not concentrating on the first game, the second game, the third game, fourth game, fifth game, sixth game. Im just trying to come back when I feel like Im ready to come back." While he feels better now, the catalyst of the Giants defence is not sure whether he will be ready for the season opener at Dallas on Sept. 8, although that is his goal. The Giants have placed him on their active physically unable to perform list, leaving him to continue his rehabilitation. "Honestly my plan is to get better, come out here and be a big part of the team and try to get to the playoffs because thats where it starts to make a Super Bowl run," he said. "And be a better player than I was last year." To be honest, Pierre-Paul had a sub-par 2012 season. After recording 16 1/2 sacks in helping the Giants win the Super Bowl in 2011, he had 10 less last year as New York posted a 9-7 record and missed the post-season. To his credit, Pierre-Paul never talked about his back or how much it hurt. He tried to reduce the pain level by strengthening his core during the season, and he admitted taking three shots during the year to numb the pain. It didnt work and it showed on the field. Pierre-Paul was not as dominant as he had been the previous year, although many suspected that was because opponents were paying more attention to him with double-and-triple team blocking. "Like I said, I dont know how much my back had to do with it or whatever," said Pierre-Paul, who added the pain started two years ago and only got worse. "It was a constant pain when I got down in my stance. When we played a 4-3, I always have to be down, and the push off that was there, and the pain takes away a big part of it." Pierre-Paul said he disclosed the pain with the trainers and talked to the team doctors about it, but they recommended that he continue his core training. The pain seemed to disappear after the season ended, but it returned during minicamp. Thats when the disk problem was discovered and the surgery was performed. The disk problem had also caused him to lose strength in his right leg, tests showed according to Pierre-Paul. After less than two months of rehabilitation, Pierre-Paul feels hes at 75 per cent. "The whole discomfort is gone," said the first-round pick who is entering his fourth season. "When I sit down I dont have that pain any more. When I am standing up I dont have that pain. I can stand up straight. Basically everything is gone. Thats a good thing. I am doing pretty good." Pierre-Paul believes he can regain the explosiveness that made him one of the NFLs most-feared defenders. "Its all on me. How I rehab," he said. "I am trying to get my core right, stronger, my back stronger. Its all on me. You dont want to go out there too early. You dont want to go out there too late. You want to be just enough so you can play the game." For now, Pierre-Paul sees his role as being there for his teammates. Hell watch practice and try to offer his insights. The downside is that he doesnt feel very much a part of the team. "I can do the rehab and all the things they tell me, but I still have to get a week under my belt in practice to see what I can do," Pierre-Paul said. "Going against two and three guys, getting double-teamed, is totally different from working by yourself. Thats what I have to be ready for." If he does get ready, the Giants are again going to be a threat to hassle opposing quarterbacks. John Cominsky Womens Jersey . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Brett Favre Falcons Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.thefaclonsshoponline.com/John-cominsky-falcons-jersey/ .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. John Cominsky Jersey . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Takkarist McKinley Jersey .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition.After Michael van Gerwen was crowned Premier League champion, we asked Sky Sports experts to pick a player who could force his way into next years line-up. The world No 1 enjoyed a triumphant season as he finished top of the 10-man table and then defeated Phil Taylor in the final to claim the title for the second time at The O2.But can a new contender emerge to challenge Van Gerwen next year, or should a past challenger be welcomed back to the 2017 competition? We asked Mighty Mike, our Sky Sports pundits and the PDC chairman to reveal their Premier League picks...Michael van Gerwen: Vincent van der Voort It would be Vincent van der Voort or Simon Whitlock. Vincent is my best mate of course and I would like to have him in the Premier League. Hes a good darts player.As for the rest, I dont really care, I like to beat everyone.Wayne Mardle: Stephen Bunting I would love to see Stephen Bunting back in. I just feel that he let himself down when he was in it. I would like to see Bunting there, because the way he plays, the speed he plays, and how he plays, would suit the Premier League. Wayne Mardle It wasnt a year too soon, I just think he found it tougher than he thought he would. Youve got to be ready mentally.I would like to see Bunting there, because the way he plays, the speed he plays, and how he plays, would suit the Premier League. You see something in players where you think theyre so good, they just need to believe they are.Rod Studd: Alan Chuck Norris This is Alans second year in the PDC and he moved across after coming runner-up in the BDO World Championships. He ran into Stephen Bunting in the final, who was playing at his absolute best. Alan Norris produced an 11-dart leg in win over Robert Thornton at the PDC World Championships He had a really good debut year in the PDC, reached the quarter-finals of the Worlds at Ally Pally, where it looked like he had the beating of Jelle Klaasen until the Dutchman reeled off three brilliant legs on the trot to knock him out.He throws quick, hes aggressive, hits a lot of 180s and would be good entertainment for the Premier League. John Part: Vincent van der Voort I like Vincent van der Voort. He has electric fast play and when hes playing well hes just about as good as anybody.Obviously there are consistency issues and Im not sure he could necessarily handle the Premier League. The talent level can be discouuraging sometimes if you dont get off to a good start, but that would go for anybody coming into the Premier League.dddddddddddd Vincent van der Voort defeated Phil Taylor in first round of 2015 World Grand Prix Hes got enough experience now that I think, given the opportunity, he might do fairly well. I wouldnt say he would come in and win it, but he could possibly put on a good show for much of the season. Rod Harrington: Benito van de Pas I would go for one of the newcomers, because I believe the game relies on them. One person who is standing out - his form has been brilliant over the last year - is Benito van de Pas. There could be a good bit of rivalry there and I think Benito will become the second best player in Holland. Rod Harrington Big Ben from Holland, he hacks it with the big boys, and has beaten Michael van Gerwen on two or three occasions. There could be a good bit of rivalry there and I think Benito will become the second best player in Holland.Dave Clark: Jelle Klaasen I would like to see Jelle. Hes got the panache, hes got the style, and would get the crowd going. Hes got all the attributes, hes playing great darts at the moment, and could be a real threat. Klaasen could do some damage next year. He could handle the big stage, hes proven that already. Dave Clark If they went back to Rotterdam, he would get a red-hot reception too. He could handle the big stage, hes proven that already.PDC Chairman, Barry Hearn PDC chairman Barry Hearn (left) with Premier League runner-up Phil Taylor There are two or three out there. I think Jelle Klaasen is right up there. I like Benito van de Pas, hes playing well and is a young man with a lot of potential who is improving all the time. I like Gerwyn Price from Wales and I like Daryl Gurney from Ireland.Its probably getting to the time when these kids have got to have a chance and see what they can do on the big stage. Watch more live darts action from the World Cup of Darts, starting at 7pm on Thursday June 2, on Sky Sports 1. Also See: WATCH: Story of Play-off night Mardle: MVG on another level MVG wins Premier League Taylor: MVG is like AJ ' ' '