Falcons vs. Giants: Motivation from "Dirtbag" Comment Won't Help Atlanta O-Line

Not surprisingly, Atlanta Falcons offensive linemen Will Svitek and Tyson Clabo haven't taken too kindly to New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck's insinuation that they're "dirtbags." Even so, the G-Men will get the last laugh on Sunday.

According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Svitek and Clabo don't consider themselves or the other Atlanta offensive linemen to be dirty players in the least. Tuck's "dirtbag" comment likely stemmed from the Falcons' zone-blocking scheme that focuses on cutting defenders. The tactic is a legal one, however.

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If Tuck thinks zone blocking (as cut blocking is also known) is crossing a line, Svitek said, then so be it.

'We cut like everybody else,' he said. 'That’s not illegal, and we don’t get fined. We’re not trying to hurt anybody. Diving at people’s legs is just part of the game. It’s not done in a cheap way.'

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I agree with Svitek in this instance as there are many teams that employ the zone-blocking scheme and it has become an accepted part of football. Tuck and other defensive lineman can't like the fact that the Falcons' linemen hit low, but I think he was trying to stir the pot more than anything.

Normally, when players attempt to start trouble, they end up coming out on the short end of things. I don't think that will be the case this time, though. The Falcons' offensive line may be motivated to shut down the Giants, but Big Blue simply has too many elite pass-rushers to contend with.

Not only does that include Tuck, but Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Chris Canty and Mathias Kiwanuka can all get to the quarterback as well. The Giants enter the playoffs on a hot streak after knocking off the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, and the pass rush has been a big reason for that.

The Giants' season very much paralleled their Super Bowl run in 2007. Not only did they barely sneak into the playoffs, but their pass rush is what set them apart from the opposition. That is once again true this year, and not even an angry Falcons line can change that.

Atlanta ranked sixth in the league in terms of sacks allowed as quarterback Matt Ryan was dropped only 26 times on the season, but no team in the league is as relentless when it comes to pursuing the quarterback as the Giants.

Even though I don't think it will have any bearing on this game, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin needs to speak with Tuck and reel him in a bit. Should the Giants win this game, there is a good chance they will have to face the Green Bay Packers in the next round. The last thing Green Bay needs is another reason to dominate.