New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has had a pair of down seasons, accumulating just nine sacks in 2011 and 2012 combined, despite totaling 39.5 sacks and two trips to the Pro Bowl in the four seasons prior. The ninth-year veteran told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York that he has refocused himself and feels "more alive, in a football sense" as he enters a contract year in 2013.
Justin Tuck reduces offseason distractions to focus on football
With Osi Umenyiora gone and Jason Pierre-Paul recovering from injury, the Giants need Justin Tuck to return to form in 2013.
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“So, my focus is football,” Tuck added. “Family and football. That’s it. You won’t see me out as much [doing appearances] as I have been in previous years. I have kind of dedicated myself to doing a lot of that this offseason so when football comes in, that is where I am at.”
Tuck, 30, will have to return to form if the Giants hope to recover defensively after finishing 2012 with the second-most yards allowed in the NFL. The Giants will be without Osi Umenyiora who left to join the Atlanta Falcons and Tuck might also have to pick up the slack for Jason Pierre-Paul as he recovers from back surgery.
In 2012, Tuck finished with just four sacks, his lowest total since he finished without a sack in his second NFL season in 2006. He earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2010 with double-digit sack totals in each season.
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