Giants win the first preseason game 34-17.
Jeremy Shockey caught four passes for 80 yards and 1 touchdown.
Giants safety Clarence LeBlanc returned an interception 99 yards for a TD.
Jesse Palmer passed for 247 yards and 2 TDs.
Former Giants QB Kent Graham threw a 40-yard TD pass to Sherrod Gideon.

That wasn't a bad start for the season opener.
"It was actually a good game as far as preseason games go. Being played in Canton where the Hall of Fame is, made it special. That went along with seeing a new team, the Houston Texans play for the first time, and of course John Madden calling the game for Monday Night Football with his new partner Al Michaels. There was a lot going on."

What did you like best?
"The Giants looked pretty good out there. Kerry Collins was able to move the offense down the field. The protection seemed to hold up for him, and they were able to score.
Tiki Barber seemed like he was in mid-season form on all his runs, the defense mostly held up except for a few mistakes here and there, and of course, there was that show that Jeremy Shockey put on.
It wasn't really a show I guess. It was just him being him, using his talents, catching the ball and going downfield like nothing could stop him. That was a great play, and he followed it up with a catch for a touchdown a few plays later!"

What was the worst thing.
"Putting the football game aside, it was horrible to see that Houston player (Leomont Evans) go down, and not be able to come off the field on his own. You hate to see something like that happen, and usually the follow-up news is encouraging, but this time they didn't have anything good to say. I just hope that everything works out for him."

How did you see that game?
"It was a good exhibition game. The players on both sides were really into it and that kept it interesting. Kerry Collins looked relaxed and was effective. Gamegirl already mentioned Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey, and barely noticed, was a 10 yard catch by Ron Dayne."

What wasn't good.
"The Giants special teams look as bad as they did last year. I thought the offensive front line would be a major concern, but that focus goes back to special teams, the one area I felt they could easily improve upon.
Fassel had said that Rodney Williams has competition for his job this camp, but he'd better consider that this team not only needs a tight end who can catch, but also a punter who can tackle. Can anyone else do that? I'm joking of course, but two years ago around this time, thanks to having to make a tackle in regular season play, Brad Daluiso was wearing a brace, saying that he was fully recovered for field goals. He didn't last long, and neither will any kicker if he has to do more than he should on the field for the Giants."

What's up for next week?
"The fans are in for a treat as the Giants go from one extreme to another. They got to see a brand new expansion team play and then next week they get to see the Giants go up against the Super Bowl Champion team, the New England Patriots."

Tackles (tackles-assists-sacks)
Giants -
Texans -

Three former Jets, cornerbacks Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman and right tackle Ryan Young, were starters for the Texans.

The expansion Texans had five players with Super Bowl rings and four former Pro Bowlers on the field Monday night. The Giants had one and two respectively. No. 3 quarterback Jason Garrett has three rings from his days with the Cowboys, and the former Pro Bowlers are Michael Strahan and Kerry Collins.

Players are off today and have Wednesday morning off from practice as well. They return to the field from 3 to 5 p.m. and begin preparation for Saturday's preseason game against New England.

Backup safety Leomont Evans suffered a bruised spinal cord. He got hurt while rushing a punt in the second quarter when he lowered his head and tried to power over Giants running back Sean Bennett. Evans became limp after contact, and fell face first to the artificial turf as the play unfolded around him.
He was strapped on a backboard and his facemask was removed before he was taken from the field on a stretcher to Aultman Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Evans has been diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion. Later in the evening, Evans was said to have started to regain feeling in his upper body and both his legs.

Next Game
Sat., Aug. 10 New England 8:00 PM ET

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