NFL

After Fewell’s mandate, Giants out to scare foes again

Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins

(AP (2))

TUCK RULE: Justin Tuck and the Giants’ defense will take the field in an angry mood this season, bolstered by a host of new, large additions like Cullen Jenkins (inset). (AP (2))

Their pride was wounded, their machismo unceremoniously smashed in the mouth. They dishonored and occasionally disgraced the tradition built by the likes of Emlen Tunnell and Andy Robustelli and Sam Huff and Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson and Michael Strahan. By Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. And they know it.

And so the mission statement, the mandate for Big Blue now, is to be feared again.

The definition of Giants defense must never change, and this is how defensive coordinator Perry Fewell defines it:

“Smashmouth … hard-hitting … a defense that, when offenses have to come in, they fear. And they say, ‘Oh s–t! We got to play the Giants!’ ”

These days, Fewell might be groaning, “Oh s–t, we don’t have Jason Pierre-Paul or Antrel Rolle.”

Rolle (ankle sprain) vows to return for the regular-season opener in Dallas. JPP (back surgery) isn’t as certain about showing up in time to chase Tony Romo as general manager Jerry Reese is.

They are the two most indispensable members of a defense that listened to a fiery address from Fewell at the start of training camp.

“Well, obviously, I don’t think we played to our potential in 2012,” Fewell told The Post. “I felt like we needed to become a more physical defense, and I felt like that we, as a defensive unit, can play better as a whole. Sometimes we didn’t play as a unit. We played individually.”

Inexcusable.

I asked Captain Justin Tuck why he thinks this pass rush-obsessed defense can be feared again.

“That’s what our mission is, that’s what our goal is, and I think guys are willing to kind of sacrifice the ‘Me’ for the ‘We’ as a unit,” Tuck told The Post, “and that’s how you become a feared group, when you got 11 guys playing together as one.

“We saw last year what it is when you have six guys playing as one or eight or two or whatever it may be. I think our focus is making sure that we’re on the same page as a defense. I know the talent that we have in that room, and I think because of those traits, we can be a feared defense.”

Why weren’t the Giants a “We” unit in 2012?

“I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter,” Tuck said. “Last year is last year, and we’re moving forward and making sure that we are 11 guys as one this year.”

The Giants made a concerted effort to add toughness and size on defense, signing tackle/end Cullen Jenkins (6-foot-2, 305 pounds), welcoming back tackle Shaun Rogers (6-4, 350), drafting tackle Jonathan Hankins (6-2, 320). Bigger Blue.

“We’re Giants,” Fewell said. “I think that was a conscious effort to get bigger, to get stronger, to be better against the run.”

Everyone is on notice, remember.

“I just want a mentality that goes out there and plays 100 percent every play,” Fewell said, “and to take a quote from LT, ‘Go out there as crazed dogs.’ I think that’s what defense has to get back to. It’s a lot of rules in this game that don’t allow us to do a lot of things that we normally used to do, but we’ve got to find a way to make sure our defense makes that offense uncomfortable. Whatever they get against us is going to be earned.”

Tuck is 10 pounds lighter at 265.

“I think when you think back to seeing all the great defenses that have been around here,” Tuck said, “and you see those posters and those plaques and you used to watch those NFL Films of just a dominant Big Blue defense — and I’ve been a part of it myself — I think that’s something that you have to strive to be every year, and when it doesn’t happen, and when you don’t showcase that same pride as far as going out there and holding up all the great attributes that have come before you, sure your pride’s going to be hurt.

“If it doesn’t hurt, you’re in the game for the wrong reason.”

Tuck and his fellow defensive ends will be switched from side to side this season.

“It makes us less predictable,” Tuck said.

Fewell won’t rule out employing a 3-4 at times.

“We have guys that fit a lot of different defensive combinations, and so I’m going to build a defense based on our personnel,” he said.

Jenkins has opened eyes.

“We’re going to take advantage of his versatility,” Fewell said. “He’s very explosive. He’s much stronger than I initially thought he was, and he is violent in his reactions.”

Asked if Jenkins could be a fourth pass-rusher in the NASCAR package, Fewell said: “No question.”

Mathias Kiwanuka has made a seamless move from outside linebacker back to defensive end.

“It’s a welcome transition for him,” Fewell said. “But again, I reserve the right to kind of play with Kiwanuka, because he’s such an outstanding athlete.”

You could do the same with precocious pup defensive end Damontre Moore, couldn’t you?

“Yes I could, “ Fewell said.

Fewell is fine with mixing and matching at linebacker.

“Our goal each year is to win the division, make the playoffs, have a chance to play in the Super Bowl, and that didn’t happen in ’12,” he said, “so we’ve got to make sure that we do something about that in 2013.”