NY Giants DE Justin Tuck Says Team's Heart "big & Beating Strongly"

The New York Giants were thoroughly humiliated by the Minnesota Vikings last December. Defensive end Justin Tuck knows what that game still means both to the team and to New York football fans. More importantly, however, Tuck knows what this weekend's contest means to this particular squad.

"Last year is last year," Tuck remarked on Thursday. "That's why we get another opportunity and that's what we have. Another opportunity. I definitely remember it. Last year was last year, and I'm not going to be bogged down on last year. I'm going to go out there and try to avenge that loss obviously, but last year is last year. It's not like I'm holding a grudge."

Tuck is being credited for turning the Giants around with a memorable halftime speech during the Giants-Jags game a few weeks back. We may never know all that Tuck told his teammates, but the pass rusher is refusing to publicly doubt his team's toughness. "You've never heard me question this team's heart," Tuck stated. "Sometimes things don't work out the way you think they should, and you learn from it. A prime example was last year. I never talk about these guys' hearts because I'm right here fighting with them. I think our heart is the same as it was last year, it's big and it's beating strongly right now."

Tuck also called Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson "the best all-around back in the league." "He's running tough, even with that supposed ankle injury," Tuck explained. "He was out there on another level last week and he's a very talented guy."

Tuck is too smart to say that the Giants will be looking just for revenge this Sunday, but you can be sure this defense remembers being embarrassed by Brett Favre and company one year ago. Tuck and his fellow pass rushers will be looking to punish whoever is taking the snaps for the Vikes early and often.

All quotes via New York Giants Communications Office