Let's just say Giants defensive end Justin Tuck is well aware of the unflattering reputation that follows the Falcons' offensive line.
Tuck made that very clear Monday by firing the first shot as New York and Atlanta get set to play in an NFC Wild Card Game on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
"Most people, you would call them dirtbags," Tuck said, according to the New York Daily News. "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've got to take that as a compliment."
On a few occasions this season, opponents have called out Atlanta's linemen for using cheap -- and what some have termed dangerous -- tactics during games.
» Two weeks later, after drama unfolded between the Lions and Falcons, defensive linemen Cliff Avril called out Atlanta for "cutting" guys "20, 30 yards down the field."
» And Titans defensive end William Hayes described, in detail, his experience against the Falcons' O-line in Week 11.
All of which hasn't gone unnoticed by Tuck, who will make sure his teammates keep these bits of information stored in the back of their minds Sunday. Publicly calling the Falcons "dirtbags," though? Guess there's nothing like a little name-calling to fire up Wild Card Weekend.
