Tag Archives: Justin Tuck
From our man at Capital New York, Greg Hanlon….
The fact that the 9-7 Giants are only three-point underdogs to the 13-3 Patriots, and the fact that around 85 percent of WFAN callers are predicting a double-digit Giants win, speaks to a generally accepted premise: The Giants team that started off this season 7-7 is a wholly different entity than the one that has since gone 5-0.
This is the N.F.L., after all, when the margin between mediocrity and greatness is razor-thin. Last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers, made a late-season leap from one to the next. So did the last Giants Super Bowl team, in 2007.
Further evidence that such a transition is possible can be found in the person of Justin Tuck. Like the Giants, he was having an underachieving, disappointing season through the first 14 games. Since then, he has done like his team and started to play like he should.
Tagged Justin Tuck, New York Giants, NFL |
The Super Bowl is one week away. The lights, the cameras, the Maxim Tailgate party and, at the center of it all, two quarterbacks taking the stage for the second time in four years.
This has become an Eli vs. Tom Bowl.
So, why am I only consumed with the Giants defensive line vs. the Pats offensive line. Mostly because the memories of the 2007 Super Bowl are still fresh.
Watching the absolute mayhem that the Giants defensive line inflicted on Tom Brady was quite a sight as the Arizona desert became a coming-out party for Justin Tuck and swan song for the Hall of Famer-to-be Michael Strahan.
Not to be forgotten was the high-flying Osi Umenyiora, who would not be denied his path to the quarterback.
As the 2007 season kicked off, I knew very little about the Pats offensive line. As the year unfolded, Matt Light and Logan Mankins made their status known as two of the best linemen in the NFL.
However, as good as those two warriors are, the Giants front four has won the battle up front on a consistent basis. And now, four years later, that battle will unfold again on the biggest stage—Super Bowl XLVI.
Tagged Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Matt Light, Osi Umenyiora, Super Bowl |
While the 49ers and the Ravens might have more complete defenses and the Patriots may lay claim for having the league’s best offense, but out of the teams still left in the playoffs the Giants could conceivably be the most complete team.
As the Giants come together late in the season they are firing on all cylinders, both offensively and defensively. They are proving to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, as teams will have to play a complete game on offense and defense to stop the Giants.
On offense, Eli Manning and company are putting points on the board with ease. In their last four games (including the playoffs) the Giants are scoring a little more than 30 points per game. That is about six points more than they averaged during the regular season (24.6).
Tagged Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora |
By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner/Executive Editor Football Reporters Online-Special to GFB
The Giants are one win away from another Super bowl appearance. Let’s let that statement sink in for a moment. The team that few if any gave a chance to in August, September, October, November & December….is again making noise in January, much like the 2007 Giants.
Or are they more like the 1990 Giants?
Today during the NFC Championship press conference, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke of history. He was the wide receivers coach for the 1990 Giants that won Super Bowl 25: “A lot of our players are aware of history, but that was a long time ago”
It can be said that much like the 1990 & 2007 Giants teams, this year’s Giants are “hitting their stride” at the right time. Even with what seemed to be an “officiating bias” against them, they have persevered, thrived on the controversy of spotty play at times, and ill-timed injuries at others.
It seemed like the TV networks and the league wanted a Saints vs. Packers title game. That didn’t happen. Instead we have a rematch of the 1990 battle by the bay.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning, giants, Justin Tuck, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Perry Fewell, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz |
As if his year hasn’t been trying enough, DE Justin Tuck is dealing with another nagging ailment – his left shoulder.
He is listed on the Giants’ pre-practice injury report today and judging by the way he was moving in the Green Bay game, this could turn out to be an issue going forward.
Tuck was wearing a harness on his left shoulder and appeared to be genuinely bothered by the shoulder throughout the game. For a LDE, any injury to the left arm is troublesome, as it limits their ability to tackle to their left – or in this case, the sideline.
We will be monitoring this for you as the week goes on.
Also on the report today: CB Corey Webster (hamstring), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), DE Osi Umenyiora (knee/ankle) and LB Mark Herzlich (ankle).
Everyone, with the exception of Bradshaw, hit the practice field today. That includes Herzlich, who last action was on Nov 28 in New Orleans.
Bradshaw is usually given Wednesdays off to rest his healing foot.
Tagged Justin Tuck, New York Giants, NFL |
Giants’ DE Justin Tuck has battled through multiple nagging injuries this season and is currently the healthiest – and most focused – he’s been all year.
He missed several games and came out of others he probably should not have played in. The Giants’ defense struggled.
As he goes, so goes the Giants’ defense, who have allowed only 28 points combined in their last three games, led by a healthy Tuck.
Yesterday he spoke about how the team came together throughout the course of the year….
“We’ve had our ups and downs this year, obviously. But like you said, things have started to take place as we thought they would have a long time ago. It’s just all about being persistent; resiliency and guys are getting healthy at the right time. We’re still somewhat banged-up, but healthier than we have been in a long time so hopefully that translates into us playing better. We’ve played pretty good football the last couple of weeks and we can still play better so that’s where our focus is this week.”
Tagged Justin Tuck, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs |
I don’t see any reason to stray from a formula that has been working. Especially when it is extremely appropriate for this particular scenario. So while I don’t intend to be too agitated today, I will be utilizing yet another comparison to the 2007 championship season.
In 2006, Tiki Barber served as the face of an underwhelming Giants franchise. In the fall of 2005 (a season in which he would break off a 95 yard run and accrue 235 rushing yards in a single game), he would accompany Jeremy Shockey to the bedside of a dying Wellington Mara. The two were described as the football patriarch’s favorite current stars.
But after years of serving as the lightening rod for an otherwise underachieving offense, Barber abruptly left pro football. His departure left a significant hole in the Giants roster. The hole was not much unlike the one that Jerry Reese found himself staring at when Steve Smith hobbled out the door and into the Eagles arms.
Between ’06 and ’07, the Giants finally gave up their attempt to mold project slot receiver Tim Carter into a dangerous weapon. Carter, who is the cousin of former MLB Outfielder Gary Sheffield, appeared to be a physical specimen. He was easily one of the fastest players in the league. Unfortunately, he lacked the ability to consistently haul in catches.
Tagged aaron rodgers, Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Reuben Droughns, Tiki Barber |
As the first ever playoff game in MetLife Stadium draws nearer, comparisons are swirling regarding the 2011 squad’s resemblance to the World Champion 2007 Giants team. For the most part, I too can see the resemblance.
Just like in the summer of ‘07, the Giants weren’t expected to make much noise this season. After making quick free agent splashes with top UDFA Mark Herzlich and C David Baas, Big Blue found itself sitting idly by as other teams stole headlines and marquee names.
GM Jerry Reese was under serious fire before a single preseason snap was played. Two of Eli’s top targets, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, were allowed to quietly walk out the door and in one case into the arms of the franchise’s most hated rival. Ahmad Bradshaw too was almost not retained, but a pay cut taken by Brandon Jacobs led to his return.
After a season staggered with disappointing losses to lesser opponents (including opening day), the Giants appear to have hit their stride in the closing two weeks. In Week 16 of 2007, it was the Bills that the Giants surged past to clinch a playoff berth and in 2011 they would step on the throats of a free falling Gang Green.
I agree there are similarities, but there is also one alarming difference. Earth, Wind, and Fire is no more. In 2008, Brandon Jacobs teamed with Derrick Ward to amass over 2,000 yards on the ground. The pair was so effective that Ahmad Bradshaw barely even saw the field during the entire campaign despite playing a major roll in the previous post-season success of the franchise.
While Earth, Wind, and Fire are no longer united, perhaps this trio could serve as musical inspiration for the NYG rushing attack. Photo Courtesy: Dailycaller.com
This year, a less effective offensive line and dinged up RBs have hampered Big Blue. The good news, Eli Manning has managed to counter the lack of balance by putting on a passing clinic. He has racked up 4,933 passing yards in 16 games. After publicly claiming that he was in Tom Brady’s class, Manning backed up his words by finishing just 67 yards shy of 5,000. His 15 4th quarter TD’s broke an NFL record that was previously held by big brother Peyton.
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Jake Ballard, Julio Jones, Justin Tuck, Matt Ryan, Osi Umenyiora, Roddy White, Tom Coughlin, Tony Gonzalez, Victor Cruz |
During the Holiday Season, even The Bad Guy finds himself in a forgiving mood. For instance, I’ve found it in my heart to absolve Victor Cruz of his childhood allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys. So I know that you’ll all forgive me for incorrectly projecting a Giant downfall on Saturday. It just so happens that Santa was not sleeping. He received my letter, mulled it over, and decided on a bigger and better present than I had asked for. Instead of a TE, he delivered a defense to help Eli Manning soar past the Jets and land in a Title Fight on Jan.1.
Last week, one particularly enthusiastic Giants fan (see: threatens to break things after losses) referred to Justin Tuck as “Papa Defense.” I don’t like the title, mainly because the word “Papa” immediately makes me think of a creepy guy in a red button down shirt selling me crappy pizza. But I agree with it.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning, Jake Ballard, Justin Tuck, Mario Manningham, Mark Sanchez, Victor Cruz |
Giants’ defensive captain Justin Tuck has had a rough season. If you’ve been following this site you already know what he’s gone through this year. His not being 100% has been a huge part of why this Giants’ defense has been ravaged this season by offenses both good and bad.
He is right in all ways now, and the Jets got a good dose of what a healthy, focused Tuck can do. He only had four tackles, but one was for a loss and another was a sack. In addition, he batted two passes down at the line of scrimmage. When he plays well, the Giants are hard to beat.
Three Giants played over 100 snaps Saturday (CB Corey Webster, DE Jason Pierre-Paul and safety Antrel Rolle) and Tuck was in on 88 snaps, by far the most he’s played in quite some time. Tom Coughlin said today that Tuck’s presence on the field is a great sign for his team:
“If you play like he did the other night, that is the best message you can send and the best way you can help your teammates is to set that kind of example and follow through with it. He had fun playing the other night. He played with great energy and played a lot of snaps, he didn’t want to come off the field and those are all huge plusses.”
Tuck himself is looking forward, not behind. He has plenty of reasons to do so. If his Giants beat Dallas Sunday night, they are back in the playoffs and back in business. He spoke with the media today:
Tagged Justin Tuck, New York Giants | ← Older posts
