There are few descriptions that cannot be misconstrued. “Dirtbag” is probably one of them.

What figured to be a relatively quiet week as far as NFL playoff trash talk got off to a rousing start when Giants defensive end Justin Tuck yesterday used that uncomplimentary term to characterize the Falcons offensive line.

It is fairly common knowledge throughout the league the Falcons offensive line plays to the whistle, and beyond, drawing the ire of many defensive lines, including, this season, the Packers and Lions, who complained about dirty tactics.

“We know have that quote-unquote reputation,” Tuck said. “But in a way it is kind of exciting. Most people, you would call them dirtbags. But it is what it is. We got to make sure we do our job and if we are doing our job well then they will be upset and they will be trying to do things to get us off our game and we got to take that as a compliment. But in the same sense you got to protect yourself and hopefully the referees have 20-20 vision this week.”

Tuck and his mates on the defensive line are on a roll, with 11 sacks the past two games against the Jets and Cowboys. The Falcons have allowed only 26 sacks of Matt Ryan all season.

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Neither Henry Hynoski nor Bear Pascoe looks as if he would be able to defy gravity, but both seemingly earth-bound players completed eye-opening maneuvers in the Giants’ 31-14 NFC East-clinching victory over the Cowboys. Both were able to find extra yards and pick up first downs by high-hurdling over cornerback Terence Newman.

Hynoski, a rookie fullback, said he has done that before.

“In high school,” he said. “Not as of late; first time in the pros. I didn’t realize I did it, it just kind of happened. When you play, you don’t plan what you do, it just kind or comes at you, you just react to it.”

In the meeting room yesterday, Hynoski said everyone got a good laugh not only at his leap, but also at the fact starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw, after catching a screen pass, tried to elevate over Newman, but didn’t get very high and was brought down.

“We let him have it,” Hynoski said. “The one that would most likely make the jump didn’t.”

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Credit Deon Grant with an assist in helping get Antrel Rolle’s body and mind right. Rolle admitted he was frustrated with how poorly the defense was playing and competing.

“I was trying do so much to try and bring everyone together and find that chemistry,” Rolle said. “In the midst of that, I think it took away from my game a little bit. I think it definitely took away from my game a little bit.”

Rolle said a long conversation with Grant before the game against the Jets set him straight.

“He said, ‘I understand what you’re trying to do and I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but be you. Let your play do the talking for you. That’s what you do. That’s who you are. That’s what we know you as,’ ” Rolle recalled. “Honestly, I think that’s the best advice I could’ve gotten from any player. I feel like I was myself [vs. the Cowboys]. I felt like I was myself last week against the Jets. I told him, I said, ‘Man, I owe you.’ And I do.”

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Coach Tom Coughlin said defensive end Osi Umenyiora “came out well” Sunday after missing the previous four games with a high ankle sprain. Umenyiora had two of the Giants’ six sacks. … Coughlin said the plan is for tight end Jake Ballard (knee) and linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle) to test themselves by running today. After that, a determination will be made on if they can get on the practice field this week and possibly play on Sunday against the Falcons.

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The Giants now know their 2012 opponents. In addition to their six games within the NFC East with the Eagles, Cowboys and Redskins, they will play at home against the Saints, Buccaneers, Packers, Browns and Steelers, and on the road against the Falcons, Panthers, 49ers, Ravens and Bengals.