EAST RUTHERFORD -- Justin Tuck brought closure to his Giants career on Friday, while Eli Apple started his.

But before Tuck "transitioned" out the door, Apple made sure he gleaned some wisdom from the departing franchise icon. During his farewell press conference as he retired a Giant, Tuck revealed Apple recently called him for advice.

"I normally don't give shout-outs to rookies, but I'm going to give one because he might be smarter than the education normally lends him to be from Ohio State," Tuck, a Notre Dame grad (and soon-to-be Wharton student) joked.

"A couple of days ago, the other Eli called me. It was funny because I look at the number, and I'm wondering who is this. He starts talking about he wants to learn how to be successful in New York. Eli, you might be onto something."

Apple, the Giants' first round pick, had his first professional practice soon after Tuck's press conference during the team's rookie minicamp. Tuck preferred to keep most of his conversation with Apple private, but he did offer a quick glimpse at what he told the rookie.

"I told him just to focus on football. That is very generic about that conversation, but just to focus on football," Tuck said. "Being in New York can be overwhelming, especially for a guy that is named Eli, for one. But just to focus on his craft, and he will be just fine. This place embraces a winner, so just go out and win."

The Giants have not done much of that the last four seasons, and Tuck made it clear Friday he is tired of the losing. He also had a message for all the rookies in attendance at minicamp, many of whom sat in on several minutes of his press conference.

"Those guys that are drafted to the New York Giants, all that means is that you have an opportunity. Nothing is going to be given to you. Nothing," Tuck said.

"Me and Jerry Reese don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but he doesn't even know that he helped me out a lot. I'll tell you why and this is why nothing is given to you. When I came in here, I had a Hall of Famer (Michael Strahan) in front of me. I had a young stud (Osi Umenyiora) in front of me. The next year they drafted a first-round pick (Mathias Kiwanuka). [Four years after that] they drafted a first-round pick (Jason Pierre-Paul).

"Nothing is ever given to you. You can be the strongest and the meanest and the best ever, but you always have got to come in here and you've got to fight. That's for my rookies, and I hope they see that. I always come in here and fight."

TALK IS CHEAP, Ep. 51: In-depth analysis of Giants' draft

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James Kratch can be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find and like NJ.com Giants on Facebook.