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Giants (0-0) vs Redskins (0-0)
The
last time these two teams faced each other was as recent as the final game of
the 2010 regular season. Going into that game the
Redskins had come away from Jacksonville with a 20-17 overtime win. Meanwhile
the Giants had blown a game to the Eagles and then another opportunity to advance
into the playoffs with a 45-17 loss in Green Bay. They
turned the ball over six times, the most in a single game since 2004.
There's
some slight solace that Green Bay went on to beat Chicago to make the playoffs
and won out against the Eagles, Falcons, Bears again, and finally the Steelers
to become the Super Bowl Champions. Even though the Giants won that last game
in Washington to finish 10-6, they missed out on getting a playoff spot. The Redskins
finished their season with a 6-10 record.
Washington
Redskins.
After finishing twice in last place in the division under head
coach Jim Zorn, they ended up there again with his replacement,
Mike Shanahan. For him, things did not go well with Albert Haynesworth
and Donovan McNabb did not seem to suit his quarterback needs.
Shanahan has John Beck and Rex Grossman
competing for the number one quarterback spot and he is pleased
with what he has been seeing. "I'm going to evaluate them
all the way through camp ... possibly up to the day before we
play the Giants," Shanahan said, not giving away anything.
What's less of a secret is Tim Hightower who they picked up in
a trade with Arizona after the NFL lockout. The running back has
looked great in preseason and has become a necessary ingredient
since starter Ryan Torain broke his left hand early in training
camp.
They recently lost their
second-round draft pick Jarvis Jenkins for the year with a torn
ACL in his right knee and he was coming on real strong. The Redskins
like to rotate their linemen and Jenkins would have been a good
addition. The Redskins cut injury prone wide receiver Malcolm
Kelly. He was their second-round pick in 2008. Of the ten they
drafted that season, none have become full-time starters, with
only four remaining.
UPDATES - Redskins Rex Grossman
was named as the starting quarterback against the Giants.
Redskins defensive tackle Barry Cofield will start Sunday against
his former team.
Redskins safety LaRon Landry has been ruled out of the opener
against Giants because of a hamstring injury.
Giants
The Giants came close to a
playoff berth last season and know they have themselves to blame
for missing it. Too many mistakes were made, including Eli Manning's
career-high 25 interceptions. This preseason hasn't looked good
for the offense under Eli Manning. He has completed about half
his passes, tossed two interceptions and has no touchdown passes
to show for his efforts. Manning is under the pressure of finding
the kind of sure connection he had with both receiver Steve Smith
and tight end Kevin Boss. Manning's response has been that it's
just preseason and not to worry. Tom Coughlin has said that he
would like to use running back Brandon Jacobs more than he did
last season. Jacobs has been running strong in preseason and Coughlin
may have little choice if the passing game is in question.
While Mike Shanahan had his problems with players last season,
General Manager Jerry Reese certainly has had his this year with
Osi Umenyiora. The defensive end has undergone arthroscopic surgery
to repair cartilage damage in his right knee. That was something
that might have been put off until the end of the season if contract
matters were settled. Further downfield, the Giants have lost
starting corner Terrell Thomas to a torn ACL, and backup corners
Brian Witherspoon (torn ACL) and Bruce Johnson (ruptured Achilles)
are out for the year. Also first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara
suffered a broken foot and he won't be available for some time.
UPDATES - Giants Jonathan
Goff, the starting middle linebacker, injured his right knee when
he collided with an offensive teammate in practice. Goff is out
for the year and they may have to start rookie Greg Jones against
the Redskins.
The Giants have tried out former linebackers Kawika Mitchell and
Chase Blackburn.
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Notes.
Giants
have won five straight against the Redskins in Washington.
Redskins
had six wins last season and three were in overtime. Redskins
last season had ten losses and eight were by 7 points or less.
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