New York Giants

Justin Pugh talks to O'Hara about 'toughness' tweets

Published Aug. 7, 2015 3:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

On Thursday, former New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara questioned the toughness of the Giants' current offensive line group. On Friday, the Giants' most tenured offensive lineman, Justin Pugh, spoke with O'Hara about his comments.

"I talked to Shaun," starting lineman and offensive ironman of this training camp Justin Pugh told reporters on Friday, per Newsday. "Shaun is a great guy. He wants to be in that room, he cares about this organization. I think it's just frustration and I think a lot of guys would maybe feel that way if there were guys not playing. I think he's looking out for us as much as we are. If he was in that room he'd be saying, 'Guys, we want to get you back on the field as quick as possible so we can get better.' The goal is to win and we have to have those guys out there to win some games."

Pugh agrees with O'Hara to an extent. The Giants have a projected starting offensive line that is set to have two players in new positions--Pugh and Weston Richburg, a rookie left tackle and a journeyman right tackle. This a group that needs to work together and build continuity.

"Obviously if you have four projected starters, you would love to have them out there to get in the mix, to start building that gel and that camaraderie, it would be huge," Pugh said. "We hurt not having those guys out there."

O'Hara remembers the days when he used to trot out there for grueling training camp practices before the new CBA deal kicked into place after he retired. But if players are injured, there is a major risk rushing them back into action. The Giants admitted this mistake last offseason when they rushed Odell Beckham Jr. back from injury only to see him further aggravate it and miss a lot more time.

(h/t Newsday)