Tuck, and the defense....and Reese

[andrew_nyg]

What I'm about to say hurts, because he has been one of my FAVORITE Giants.

I'm not sure what is up with Justin Tuck:
- Is he having a crisis of confidence?
- Is he frusterated because he's never 100%?
- Does he not believe in Fewell & the schemes?
- Does he not believe in his teammates?
- Or is it all of the above?

Whether it's any or all of the above, based on what he's been saying, it's GARBAGE LEADERSHIP...and he should be stripped of his Captainship, and perhaps even be shutdown for the balance of the season. His performance combined with his mouth has inspired NO ONE...in fact it's clear that he just doesn't BELIEVE...and the effect is he is hurting the coaching staff and the team.

One of the many reasons that I loved Harry Carson is reflected in his disgust for the Giants defense' performance over the past several weeks. HE was in JT's position...and HE DID IT RIGHT. His attitude was, (hurt or not) I AM SHUTTING THESE MOTHERF%^&KERS DOWN...AND YOU CAN JOIN ME OR GET IN LINE TO GET YOUR AZZ KICKED AFTER THE GAME!

NO ONE on this team offers that persona and NO COACH ON THE PLANET can create such a person...he either has it, or he don't.

This defense has NO HEART, it has NO sense of urgency, and too often have rolled their helmets out onto the field and said "I'm Osi Umenyiora...I'm Aaron Ross, I'm Antrelle Rolle, I'm FILL IN THE FREAKIN BLANK...so that is all that needs to be"

Reese has done NOTHING to bring in that ASSASSIN that this defense needs...MORE building a defense predicated on a dominant defensive line and little else is akin to a baseball team being built with a clean-up hitter surrounded by 8 .200 hitters. What happens when the clean-up guy isn't MASHING?! The team CAN'T WIN!

This organization needs a GIGANTIC paradigm shift...and it begins with the front office and defensive philosophy.

In short: WHERE THE HELL IS GIANTS FOOTBALL?!

Mr. Mara...please bring in the guy who can find it.

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[MightyGiants]

I think the burner/stinger he got really scared him.  I could sense it in the comments.  I think the fact that it was re-injured (with the help of opposing players that went after his neck) and what happened to Kiwi got him spooked.   It seems to me Tuck is playing scared and it's really hurting his game.  I wouldn't be surprised if that giant cage on his helmet isn't limiting his vision and making things worse either.   

[NYSPORTS]

He's hurt . . . again.  When asked by Francesa if hhis frustration was from his health, Tuck repled "yeah, something like that".  After Tuck asked "what do you see on film . . . max protect, etc" I believe indicated he doesn't like the scheme.

[NYSPORTS]

Reese has done NOTHING to bring in that ASSASSIN that this defense needs...MORE building a defense predicated on a dominant defensive line and little else is akin to a baseball team being built with a clean-up hitter surrounded by 8 .200 hitters. What happens when the clean-up guy isn't MASHING?! The team CAN'T WIN!

Who did you want to bring in?

[MightyGiants]

He's hurt . . . again.  When asked by Francesa if hhis frustration was from his health, Tuck repled "yeah, something like that".  After Tuck asked "what do you see on film . . . max protect, etc" I believe indicated he doesn't like the scheme.

When it comes to 4-3 DEs there is only so many options when it comes to scheme.   You can do so sort of line stunt (which can be a risk if guess wrong and they run at it) or you can go with some sort of fire zone blitz where the DE drops into coverage.  That's pretty much the extent of scheme for a DE.  In the end the DE's job is to identify run or pass and then go after the guy with the ball.

[jimv]

andrew, I think you hit the nail on the head!  He's playing scared!  By playing that way, he could get himself killed!  Maybe he'd be better off to hang 'em up.

[babywhales]

Imo, some of the heart issues comes from buying into the history and direction of the organization, another of Coughlin's comments at his first presser.  He would reinstill Giant Pride, a sense of history, that was short lived.

Another part of that comes from wanting to give everything you got in support of your coach.

and lastly it comes from within the player.  The later two being the most important.

As far as leadership, Strahan had it.  But it did not surface in the beginning it surfaced as his career developed.  Pierce had it.  Strahan saw it in Tuck but it never truly came to fruition.  In Tuck's mind he can not lead if his level of play is subpar.  And if he feels it than that is all that matters.  Tuck is not a leader, atleast not at the caliber this team needs.   

He is a rock solid all pro when healthy.  When injured he is more of a business man and on the field a player who is just causing another weakness on a defense that has multiple issues. 

The defense has been and is a joke. 

If TC is gone next year I would not be surprised to see a head coach hired whose roots and reputation were built with just the attitude and edge you speak on the defensive side of the ball.

[worf49]

No one player can ever be responsible for leadership on a team. 

you need many players to step up and get it done at crunch time.

When Carson and LT and Reasons and Banks and Marshal and Burt and Eric Howard and et al roamed the Meadowlands we had many on defense who took pride in shutting down the opponent.

Until we get the players who carry that prideful ethic with them we will continue to see Big Blue players with no emotion.

Again, I will repeat The Eagles game at home was shameful!  Jackson dissing your DC!

What do you think might have happened with the old guard if Jackson had done that to our DC?

[andrew_nyg]

Reese has done NOTHING to bring in that ASSASSIN that this defense needs...MORE building a defense predicated on a dominant defensive line and little else is akin to a baseball team being built with a clean-up hitter surrounded by 8 .200 hitters. What happens when the clean-up guy isn't MASHING?! The team CAN'T WIN!

Who did you want to bring in?

It's not "Who" it's "What"

What I want from the next GM, is for he to value Linebackers as much as he does DLinemen...and to understand that one's effectiveness is severely limited without the other. You can't just keep piling up DL's and neglecting LB's and not expect that unless the DL completely DOMINATE every game, that TE's slot WR's, and RB's are going FEAST on you every other week.

[jimmyz]

I'll tell you why this team has no vocal leadership.

Because it has no LBs.....plain and simple. 

Look at every great defense in history and tell me who is the vocal heart and soul and he is likely to be a LB. 

[NYSPORTS]

Reese has done NOTHING to bring in that ASSASSIN that this defense needs...MORE building a defense predicated on a dominant defensive line and little else is akin to a baseball team being built with a clean-up hitter surrounded by 8 .200 hitters. What happens when the clean-up guy isn't MASHING?! The team CAN'T WIN!

Who did you want to bring in?

It's not "Who" it's "What"

What I want from the next GM, is for he to value Linebackers as much as he does DLinemen...and to understand that one's effectiveness is severely limited without the other. You can't just keep piling up DL's and neglecting LB's and not expect that unless the DL completely DOMINATE every game, that TE's slot WR's, and RB's are going FEAST on you every other week.

Well, that's that where you're wrong.  You want the 'what" yet can't name the "who".  There are very few LB's in the 4-3 which are dominant and even fewer that are available to draft.  Until you can name names, it's a pipe dream and none of these GM's with a 4-3 defense can pull linebackers out of a hat.  Heck, 2/3 of the league is pulling one linebacker off the field now.  A hybrid or larger safety in the box might just be as important.  Hoping Chad Jones can fill that role or Williams becomes that player. 

[NYSPORTS]

He's hurt . . . again.  When asked by Francesa if hhis frustration was from his health, Tuck repled "yeah, something like that".  After Tuck asked "what do you see on film . . . max protect, etc" I believe indicated he doesn't like the scheme.

When it comes to 4-3 DEs there is only so many options when it comes to scheme.   You can do so sort of line stunt (which can be a risk if guess wrong and they run at it) or you can go with some sort of fire zone blitz where the DE drops into coverage.  That's pretty much the extent of scheme for a DE.  In the end the DE's job is to identify run or pass and then go after the guy with the ball.

The line can get some help though.  How many times do we see help from a corner or safety come around the end?  How come we see Tuck literally walking around where a LB usually plays, only to charge the OL from a standing position?  How the heck can he get leverage?  Then we see Tollefson at DT?  Rushing only 3?  Add in these DT who, often, are sliding or maintaining their gaps in anticipation the QB scramble and it's a mess with gaps all over the field in this soft zone.  The only chance is getting a QB to make mistakes b/c they aren't forcing any.

[Suburbanites II]

In multiple threads yesterday including Jamie's recap I called for the Giants to IR Tuck, having him go out there at 20% being a shell of who he is doesn't benefit anyone. Let him get a head start on his recovery and hope for a fully healthy Justin Tuck in '12.

[jerseyguy]

No one player can ever be responsible for leadership on a team. 

you need many players to step up and get it done at crunch time.

When Carson and LT and Reasons and Banks and Marshal and Burt and Eric Howard and et al roamed the Meadowlands we had many on defense who took pride in shutting down the opponent.

Until we get the players who carry that prideful ethic with them we will continue to see Big Blue players with no emotion.

Again, I will repeat The Eagles game at home was shameful!  Jackson dissing your DC!

What do you think might have happened with the old guard if Jackson had done that to our DC?

I agree with your thoughts on the defense but I think in todays NFL no team can afford to have that many very good players because at some point their agent will tell them to go out and strike for gold because they can get it...

[files58]

If Jackson had flipped the ball to Belichick sometime later on in the game there would have been a personal foul for unecessary roughness when Jackson came across the middle and got popped while not looking by the winner of the choose in the Giant's huddle. Take your pick of which LB or DB would have delighted in making the hit. That is what is missing from the current defense. Someone should have popped him. Frankly that's where the game is lost.