A number of defensive players have taken issue with the way the Falcons offensive linemen have played this season. Players from both the Packers and Lions accused the Falcons of dirty play earlier in the season. As the Giants prepare to take on Atlanta in the opening round of the playoffs this weekend, it should come as no surprise that Justin Tuck seized the opportunity to chime in on the topic on Monday.
“We know they have that quote unquote reputation,” Tuck said according to ESPNNewYork.com when asked about the Falcons offensive line on Monday. “But in a way it kind of is exciting. Most people, you would call them dirt bags. But it is what it is. We got to make sure we do our job and if we are doing our job well, then they will be upset and they will be trying to do things to get us off our game and we got to take that as a compliment. But in the same sense you got to protect yourself and hopefully the referees have 20-20 vision this week.”
You might remember when B.J. Raji accused the Falcons of foul play earlier in the season when he said they are “coached to play after the whistle.” Ndamukong Suh (hilarious, right?) made a similar accusation after Detroit’s meeting with Atlanta.
While Atlanta has certainly built a reputation, this is the playoffs. If there is stuff the refs have been letting go all season long, it’s highly unlikely they’ll start throwing unsportsmanlike conduct flags that will affect the outcome of the game in the postseason. Regardless, Tuck couldn’t go a week without being heard. He ripped on the Cowboys last week and we all saw what happened in that game. Now is no time for the Giants captain to stop exercising his jaw.
