Giants DE Justin Tuck said losing fellow DE Osi Umenyiora to the Falcons in free agency would create a huge burden. On whom does the burden fall?
The erstwhile wunderkind, Jason Pierre-Paul. In their last Super Bowl season, he had 16.5 sacks as a part-time starter. This past year? 6.5 sacks. As their pass rush goes, so do the Giants.
I have to say more of the burden is on Tuck. Being nicked up the past two seasons has limited him. If he stays healthy, he's a double-digit sack guy who also sets the table for others.
Just a year ago, we were talking about Pierre-Paul as the best pass rusher in football, a force of nature, the next in a long list of great Giants and heir to the legacy of LT and Michael Strahan.
True. Then his inexperience showed up. For Tuck, he has to use his experience to cover to others' inconsistencies. He's still a darn good player.
Tuck, on the other hand, is 30 years old. He might be an elder statesman now. Like Osi Umenyiora, he's already had his prime. Tuck's great seasons: 10 sacks, 11.5 sacks, 12 sacks.
How are you going to say Tuck had his prime, yet you salivate over John Abraham still doing work? Age isn't as much of an issue with Tuck.
Now it's time for JPP to have a prime -- the kid's still just 24. But that's old enough to know: One season does not a career make.
That is a good point -- a point he could learn from Tuck. And Osi.