Giants defensive end Justin Tuck took a timeout for a Q&A session with Post columnist Steve Serby before tonight’s season opener vs.
the Cowboys.
Q: Why are there so many naysayers regarding this team, and what would you say to those naysayers?
A: I don’t have anything to say to ’em, or about ’em. I think what we need to do as a New York Giants football team is get back to talking with our pads — play the game, talk is cheap. They can talk all they want to, but just be ready to play when we come to town.
Q: Do you have any idea why this team seems to be disrespected?
A: I don’t know, maybe everybody’s tired of being on top in everything.
Q: In everything?
A: When you talk about the greatest cities in the world, the first one that comes in mind is New York.
Q: Is there a hunger for the Giants to repeat?
A: Complacency won’t be a problem for us. We got guys that are tremendously hungry. We got a new bunch of guys that are hungry that have never experienced it. We got veteran guys that came in from other places that never experienced it. … They get tired of us talking about our Super Bowl rings, so they’re gonna keep us energized. They’re gonna be energized themselves, so [general manager] Jerry Reese did a great mix of having that together.
Q: What mentality does it take when you are the hunted?
A: I know everybody says they’re gonna be coming after us and all that and blah blah blah, but what game have I played ever, that the opposing team wasn’t coming after me? You can’t sell me on that one. Because every game I played, I wanted to beat the other team. It didn’t matter if they were 0-30 or … hadn’t lost a game in the last two years.
Q: Would a third championship in five seasons make you a dynasty?
A: That’s for other people to judge. We don’t really care. I don’t really care. People outside of this team would probably look at it as a dynasty. If we’re blessed to win a third, we’d be looking forward to getting our fourth. … If you look at past so-called dynasties, I guess that would put us in the running to be a dynasty.
Q: How does this group differ from the ’08 Giants who tried to defend their Super Bowl XLII crown?
A: I would say experience. If you remember, our most experienced guy [Michael Strahan] retired after that year. One of our most experienced guys [Osi Umenyiora] got hurt during that year. We got so many guys who have been there, done that. That kinda bodes well when we get into situations we need to rely on that.
Q: Why do you hate the Cowboys again?
A: A lot of things go into it. I actually grew up a Cowboy fan. They brought me in for a visit when I got drafted. When I became a New York Giant, it was just something embedded in Strahan and all these guys I talked to about the rivalry. … I’ve had my wars with them. After the whole Flozell [Adams] incident down there with my shoulder [when Adams stuck his leg out to trip me], that capped it off for me as far as not liking that place.
Q: You hate the Cowboys more than the Eagles and Redskins?
A: Slightly.
Q: Tell me about the NFC East.
A: I think it got a lot tougher. I think you got four teams that literally can make the playoffs this year. All four teams are such historic football franchises. It’s very interesting to be in the NFC East and to know you’re looked upon as the premier [division] in the NFL.
Q: Can this be an historic pass rush?
A: Sure it can be. But me sitting here talking to you about it ain’t gonna help it be a story. You still gotta go out there and play. Like I just said, talk is cheap, play the game.
Q: When a feeding frenzy begins, do you get a “rush”?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Are there times when you see fear in the opponent?
A: Absolutely. You just know that O-line can’t block you, that’s a special feeling, no matter what they do.
Q: Are quarterbacks stricken with fear?
A: We’ve had some guys [who do] not want to be out there.
Q: OK, 25 words or less — describe Umenyiora.
A: A beast.
Q: Primed for his best season maybe?
A: Could be.
Q: Why?
A: He doesn’t have any off-field distractions. He’s healthy … me and JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] are healthy, which is gonna in turn take a lot of double-teams away from all three of us, especially Osi. And he’s smarter, too. He’s done a great job of watching film and developing things that are gonna be very difficult for an offensive lineman to block.
Q: Do you think he wants to retire as a New York Giant?
A: I think he does.
Q: Do you think he will?
A: I don’t have any say so in that.
Q: Do you want to retire as a New York Giant?
A: I do.
Q: Why?
A: ’Cause it’s the best organization in the world.
Q: You’ve only played for one organization.
A: That’s my opinion.
Q: What makes it the best organization in the world?
A: Just from top to bottom — ownership, players, fans, coaching, the atmosphere that is around this place. They do everything top-notch.
Q: JPP?
A: Beast.
Q: How do he and Osi differ as beasts?
A: JPP is younger (chuckle).
Q: How high is up for JPP?
A: I don’t know if I can see that high. I get a great joy of seeing him work. I just hope he understands the talent that he has and understands where he can take that and how much of a difference-maker he could be in this game. … I mean, 34 years from now, with the talent that he has, they could talk about him in the same light that they talk about L.T. as far as changing the rules of the game. He has that ability if he wants to take control of it.
Q: Do you sense that he wants to?
A: I think he does. I think he’s starting to understand just how good he **** could be.
Q: Do you think he has a shot to lead the league in sacks?
A: I think so. If he can build off what he did last year, I think he’s primed to have an even better year this year.
Q: 20?
A: Why not?
Q: Linval Joseph?
A: Beast.
Q: A different kind of beast?
A: No question.
Q: What makes him a beast?
A: He’s probably the strongest guy on this team. He’s very hungry. He understands what opportunities lie in front of him right now. He’s getting an opportunity to be showcased in our defense, and he’s very excited about that. I think he’s one of the guys that he doesn’t care about where the headlines go, he just wants to go out there and do his job.
Q: Mathias Kiwanuka’s transition to linebacker?
A: When you talk about Kiwi, the first thing that comes to mind is just unselfishness, as far as doing whatever the team needs him to do to benefit the football team. I mean, that’s a difficult transition, going from first-round [defensive] end to outside linebacker, back to D-end, to hurting your neck, to outside linebacker and D-end to … I can see how that would be very frustrating. He never complained about it, he just said, “Give me the coaching, give me the tools I need to go out there and help this football team,” and he’s done that. Obviously everyone knows the talent that he is. I think him having an extra year of being solely at linebacker all this camp is gonna benefit not only him, but this defense tremendously.
Q: Martellus Bennett?
A: Probably our biggest acquisition in the offseason, from what I’ve seen. This has become a tight end-driven league in some regards on offense, and I think he fits the bill. I think he’s a lot more comfortable up here. Him and Eli [Manning] seem to have a great rapport with each other. I think he’s gonna have a great year for us.
Q: How would you describe him to earthlings?
A: (Smile) Very interesting.
Q: David Wilson?
A: Explosive. A guy that has set goals for himself, and he’s not afraid to tell people about ’em, and I think that confidence is gonna bode well here. I think he’s primed to have a good year for us.
Q: You keep getting on Rueben Randle.
A: Yeah, because I want to see him to understand that this is not a scholarship. It’s about producing, and producing now. When you see a guy with that much talent, you want to see him have the enthusiasm to go with it. I don’t know if he understands just how fast the game is gonna be right now. But you talk about talent, he’s very talented. But you want to see him fit together in the meeting room, and get on the football field and having that enthusiasm that most rookies have.
Q: Victor Cruz?
A: Last year a pleasant surprise, this year expected greatness. When you talk about having an elite quarterback like Eli, and another stud wide receiver opposite of him in Hakeem [Nicks], you got Martellus going down the middle of the field, and [Domenik] Hixon being that outside receiver and Cruz in the slot, I think he’s poised to have another great year. It just seems like everything is set up for him. I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be very, very explosive again this year.
Q: Hakeem?
A: Big-play wide receiver. It’s hard not to be a big-play wide receiver when you got the schemes of [Kevin] Gilbride and the arm of Eli.
Q: Perry Fewell?
A: I love that guy.
Q: Tom Coughlin?
A: Best coach in the league, and I’ve been lucky to only have him. For me personally, you know what to expect from him. It makes it very seamless from practice to game to off-the-field. You don’t have to question yourself when you’re around him, because you know.
Q: Eli Manning?
A: (Smile) Elite.
Q: How come you don’t use the Wildcat?
A: ’Cause we got an elite quarterback.
Q: Your 2 ¹/₂- year-old son Jayce knows the word “touchdown”?
A: I gotta teach him “sacks,” and “tackles” and “defensive stop.”
Q: Does he have your personality or your wife Lauren’s?
A: It’s a complete mix. I think he has my athleticism … definitely my stubbornness … her know-it-allness.
Q: Thoughts on Michael Strahan co-hosting with Kelly Ripa?
A: Awesome. I think he definitely deserves it. I think he’s gonna do a great job. You got a host that’s gonna bring a lot of enthusiasm to the show and he’s gonna have fun.
Q: What’s the best thing about being a New York Giant?
A: You can’t put your finger on what makes it special. It’s like the University of Notre Dame. It’s special because of the people. It starts with the owners. It starts with the fans, with the secretary at the desk. Everybody that’s part of the organization seems to do everything the right way.
Q: So what is it like today being a New York Giant?
A: I would say it’s probably better than being at anyplace else.
Q: Are you aware that no Giants team has successfully defended a Super Bowl championship?
A: I am aware. I’m also aware no New York Giant player has three Super Bowl rings as a Giant.
Q: Why are you aware of that?
A: Mr. [John] Mara told me after the Super Bowl.
Q: What did you tell him?
A: I’ll do my best to make that happen.