MKRob Sports

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was blunt Monday when he expanded on comments made Sunday by middle linebacker Antonio Pierce about how the defense had a communication problem during a 40-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pierce refused to elaborate, but Tuck said he knew it was true “when a guy scores a touchdown and guys are looking at each other like ‘I thought this’ and ‘I thought that.’ ”

This seemed to suggest, in part, the positioning of the defensive backs, who did not always seem sure of whom to cover as Donovan McNabb threw three touchdown passes. Tuck’s words also hinted that players were not always quick to follow the instructions of Bill Sheridan, the defensive coordinator who sends in the plays, or the adjustments of Pierce, who can revise a play before the snap of the ball.

“We’re out there thinking too much,” Tuck said. “We do so many checks.” The checks are revisions made by Pierce off Sheridan’s calls once Pierce sees offensive alignments.

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