When things are going bad for a team, the vultures start to come out. The New York Giants are struggling right now and fingers are being pointed in all directions.
One particular point of blame is the New York Giants defensive line, which has under performed all season long. Former Giants Antonio Pierce is a current analyst for ESPN, and during a recent radio appearance on 98.7 FM, Pierce hinted at the fact Tuck may not be the same player via NFL.com.
“I played with Justin Tuck and have a tremendous respect for him. But he has not been the same player emotionally, mentally or his play in the last three years. It’s just the facts,” former Giant Antonio Pierce said Friday on ESPN 98.7 FM on Friday, via ESPN New York. “He came on late last season and once Antrel Rolle and a couple of other guys said he had to pick it up, but for the most part, he’s a situation, third-down, passing situation defensive end.”
Tuck has three sacks on the season, and in his eight season, he may be starting to slow down. Pierce feels Tucks individual decline has caused a decline for the defense as well.
“For me, the guy I played with, when he was there, a lot of energy, a lot of passion, brought it each and every play, each and every snap, loved to play the game,” Pierce said. “I heard him mention it last year before the run (that) he didn’t know where his mind was at, or if he was into the game. His comments this week, the same thing. As much as I want to give the answer, that’s really a question he has to answer.
“When you watch him on Sundays, you do not see the energy, you do not see the fire he used to play with. And I don’t know why. I don’t know if it’s personal stuff going on or maybe he’s physically tired.”