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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Justin Tuck
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
15/12/2007
Justin Tuck’s quiet, thoughtful demeanour belies a fearsome, driven defensive playmaker. Now in his third year with the Giants out of Notre Dame, 2007 has seen him emerge as a premier threat on a team blessed with several great defensive ends. He has fought his way out of the shadow of fellow ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora to make a name from himself on a swarming New York D that rightly gets much of the credit for the Giants’ post season push.
In the wake of 16-13 win at Philadelphia Sunday, Justin and co. are just one victory away from wrapping up their place in the playoffs. In anticipation of this weekend’s crucial matchup with Washington, also looking to stay in the playoff hunt, we caught up with one of the key cogs in Big Blue’s swarming pass rush.
 FD
Hi Justin, what are you up to today, other than speaking to us?
Justin
Resting mainly, it’s a day off for me, so I’m also going to do some Christmas shopping, get gifts for everybody, for my family.
FD
A deserved breather after beating Philadelphia Sunday it must feel great to be 9-4
Justin
Oh absolutely, we’re in the driver’s seat for making the playoffs now. Getting a win in Philadelphia is tough to do it’s a big rivalry game for us, and it’s always a big deal to go down there and get the victory.
FD
So how did it feel to watch David Akers’ last second field goal bounce wide off the right upright?
Justin
It felt good! I knew it was a long kick and he was going to have to hit it low, but the key was we got the pressure on him so that he hit it a little right. I just tried to get as much penetration as possible, and we did enough to affect him.
FD
Your three remaining opponents Washington, Buffalo, New England are all in playoff contention or already in, so can you beat them?
Justin
Well we feel we can beat them, though like always we’re going to have to play our best game. Those teams will be playing just as hard because they’ll have a lot at stake too.
FD
And what about the Patriots you might be the only team capable of preventing a perfect regular season
Justin
We’re not really thinking about them right now, we’re just thinking about Washington, because if we beat them, we guarantee we’re in the playoffs, which is the goal. That said, we know they’re coming, and we definitely expect them to be undefeated when we play them!
FD
So how does it feel to be part of a pass rush alongside Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and Mathias Kiwanuka?
Justin
It’s great we’re four guys who can get to the quarterback, and so offenses can’t afford to send as many receivers out as they’d like. When you have players who can rush the passer, your opponents have to spend extra time scheming against you, it forces teams to change their gameplans.
 FD
Ok, right now, Osi has 12 sacks, while you and Michael each have 9 do you think you might finish up with the most?
Justin
Nah! Osi looks like he’s gonna win that race, but, you know, I’m gonna try, I’m gonna shoot for it!
FD
Tom Callahan, who spent a year inside the organisation for his book ‘The GM’, recently told us you were a better pass rusher than Michael Strahan any thoughts?
Justin
I just realise we have guys that can do it, we all can. Michael’s been doing it for years at the very highest level, and Osi is one of the premier pass rushers in the entire league. I just try and use their example to get better every day.
FD
And will we continue to see the famed four defensive end formation?
Justin
Oh I think so other teams are starting to use that model as well. I think you’ll see more and more defenses do it increasingly, it’s an effective package.
FD
Ok, London did you enjoy coming over here?
Justin
I really did, though I wish the weather would’ve been better! It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to getting back over there some time, perhaps for a holiday this time around so I can see more of the city, because we really didn’t get that chance.
FD
Is there anything you wish might’ve been done differently?
Justin
Just that I’d like to see more of the London atmosphere, since we were busy practicing the whole time we were here really. There’s a lot I’d still like to check out. I did get to record a lot of the experience on camcorder for the NFL Network though, that was fun.
FD
What about your future in New York the Giants have spoken about wanting to extend your contract. Would you like to stay?
Justin
Absolutely, I love New York, I love my teammates and coaches. I think we can be one of the premier teams in football, and I’d like to be a part of that now and in the future.
FD
You’d like to emerge as a team leader?
 Justin
Yeah, I believe I could do that, become a leader and put stuff on my shoulders. I think this defense can really improve, really be something special if we can just keep it intact. We have a great nucleus, and the more we play, the more we’ll get comfortable, the better we’ll be. For me, I like to think I’m a very versatile player, and I think I fit into the scheme well.
FD
Your quarterback, Eli Manning, has historically taken a lot of flak from the New York media how do you and the rest of the Giants respond to that?
Justin
You know, Eli’s a big boy! He’s our quarterback, we love him. And he’s done a good job for us, he’s led us to a 9-4 record, to the brink of the playoffs. So we really don’t listen to that, he’s our starter and we have faith in him to get the job done.
FD
And how far can the Giants go in the playoffs?
Justin
Oh we can go all the way! As long as we stay healthy, and keep playing our best football, I believe we can do it.
FD
Alright, and finally then: any messages for UK Giants and Justin Tuck fans?
Justin
Yeah, I’m looking forward to coming back over there on a vacation level because the people were so great. And also, if they’re ever in New York, come and see us play, come and say hello.
FD
Thanks Justin good luck with the Christmas shopping and good luck in the playoffs!
Justin
Thanks a lot!
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