With all the drama surrounding Big Blue after the loss of defensive end Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending knee injury and the rumors of a Michael Strahan return, one of the Giants biggest pieces to the puzzle on defense is seemingly being overlooked. After an injury-riddled start to his career, Justin Tuck had a season to remember in 2007 with 64 tackles and 10 sacks as a situational rusher for one of the more dominant front lines we've seen in a long time in the National Football League.
In the Giants Super Bowl triumph, many watching (myself included) felt that Tuck was just as deserving of the Super Bowl MVP award as quarterback Eli Manning was. He was extremely active throughout the contest, dominating an overmatched Patriots front line for five tackles, several hits on Tom Brady, and two sacks - which resulted in 14 negative yards.
Now that the Giants lost Umenyiora for the season however, many are claiming that the Giants no longer have enough up front on defense to see the same type of success they did in 2007. When asked by reporters if he took it personally that people were claiming that the team was in trouble without Osi and Strahan, Tuck replied:
"Absolutely,
absolutely. It doesn’t bother me. I am not the guy to ask that
question because I really don’t care what other people say. I know
what we have in this locker room and that is all that matters."
Going into the 2008 season, it seems that many of the "experts" and "pundits" around the NFL tend to underestimate the type of player the fourth-year man out of Notre Dame has become. Tuck's combination of size, strength, quickness, and pass rushing skills are second to no defensive lineman in football. None. He has the physical ability, character, and work ethic to be the best defensive lineman in the game.
High praise? Sure. Warranted? It is certainly my belief that it is. It is also my belief that in five or six years, Justin Tuck's name will be up there with Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan as one of the best Giants defensive players of all-time. He has that kind of ability.
Regardless of whether it's Kiwanuka or Michael Strahan lining up opposite Tuck at the end of the line in 2008, expect #91 to have the best season of his career. He's become one of the leaders of not only this defense, but of this football team - and he looks more than ready to take the next step as a football player.
I'll take it one step further, and let's find that annoying bold font to make sure our readers can hold me to this. Justin Tuck will win the NFL defensive player of the year award in 2008. He's an all-around defender capable of taking over a football game, who is not only disruptive to the passing game but stout against the run. With a non-stop motor and that combination of strength and quickness, it's extremely tough for opposing offensive lineman to deal with Tuck. DeMarcus Ware, Brian Urlacher, Aaron Kampman, Bob Sanders - he's right up there with every one of those guys as a defensive player.
In fact, I brought this very issue up to Tuck about a month ago in an ESPN SportsNation chat. Here's the question and Tuck's response:
Hazem
(NY):
J-Tuck, I like you for defensive player of the year this season because you do
a lot of different things well. What are your goals for the year?
-->
Justin
Tuck: Honestly, I agree
with you about that whole DE player of the year thing. My goal for this year is
to build on last year and actually win it this year.
In short, anyone sleepin' on J-Tuck now better wake up, or they will be having nightmares about dealing with him in 2008.
-- H.Kiswani