Giants great Justin Tuck talks Eli Manning, Joe Judge

During Friday’s round of interviews on Radio Row at the Super Bowl in Miami, former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck made an appearance on SB Nation Radio’s ‘The Boss and The Gloss’ show. When acknowledged for his outstanding performance during Super Bowl XLVI, Tuck quickly gave credit to Eli Manning.

“The fact that people still recognize that I had a pretty good game, that’s awesome, but we do not win that football game without number 10. And I am totally fine with him winning those MVPs.”

In the iconic 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots, Tuck racked up 2.0 sacks and 3 quarterback hits. Even though he had a stellar defensive performance, he firmly believes what Manning did against the Patriots earned him the honors.

“The games he put together in both of those Super Bowl’s opposite probably the greatest quarterback of our time, even all-time in Tom Brady, to outplay him there and help us win those games. You know, unbelievable plays, in the end, there is definitely no question he deserves both of those MVPs.”

Tuck was also asked about the Giants’ new head coach Joe Judge. He strongly supported the decision to hire Judge, especially considering how much the Giants organization loved him.

“I think he came on the radar a little late, but I also know that he went in and wowed our ownership and their brass with old school things but also direct ownership in building this team back.”

Despite not being a clear cut favorite for the opening, Judge did earn the job in the end. According to Tuck, he joked with Judge about not being the first choice.

“He laid down a plan that he plans to execute to a T, and he has people excited about it. I told him it doesn’t matter if you’re a first-round pick or pick number 199 like Tom Brady, if you win they’ll build statues for you and if you lose they’ll fire you in two years. And he liked that, he laughed. No one’s going to care if you were the Giants’ first pick for the job or the last pick for the job.”

Joe Judge and the Giants are close to completing the new coaching staff, and it’s currently filled with a number of former head coaches. Tuck praised that as being an advantage for the new regime.

“I think he’s done a great job of building his staff of people who have head coaching experience. Also, people who are hungry to make names for themselves, that are liked in that locker room, that are liked in the football circles.”

Overall, Tuck was positive about the direction of the Giants under a new head coach and with a new starting quarterback. He believes Daniel Jones and the young squad around him are trending in the right direction.