INDIANAPOLIS — Justin Tuck, who seems to save his best for last — see Super Bowl XLII, see Super Bowl XLVI last night — got the ball rolling for the Giants last night when he stormed in on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on New England’s first offensive play, forcing an intentional grounding call in the end zone that gave the Giants a safety and a 2-0 lead.
“It is a referee’s judgment call,” Brady said. “I was looking down the middle of the field and Tuck was looking to come get me and I tried to get rid of it. The referee made the call.”
All Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a 21-17 loser, said was: “It’s not my call.”
COMPLETE GIANTS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE
Aaron Ross was asked if the safety set a tone.
“We were talking about getting after him for the last two weeks,” the Giants cornerback said. “We wanted to play physical.”
After all, No Toughness, No Championship.
“Justin Tuck did a great job,” defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. “I didn’t know where he was throwing to. … He was like, ‘He just threw the ball in the end zone. It’s a safety.’ ”