As far as Samuels goes, it was an incredibly dirty play, and Kiwi agrees.  He said “It was definitely a dirty play.”  The last play of the game, the game was over, and Kiwi had beaten Samuels, and Chris turns around and tackles Kiwi.  Totally uncalled for.  Coughlin said, “Samuels, I spoke to him right after and he said it wasn’t intentional,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “We’ll leave it at that.” HOW IS THAT NOT INTENTIONAL??? He turned around and wrapped his arms around Kiwi’s legs!  Unbelievable.  Samuels knows it was wrong and he’s trying to get away with it.  Ridiculous.  He should be fined in my opinion.

Here’s the link to Kiwanuka’s interview: Kiwanuka Interview - Giants.com

What is your opinion on the play?? Feel free to comment! I also want to hear your thoughts on the Pierce incident mid-game.  In my opinion the guy he was fighting with (I forget who it was) should have been flagged.  It was ridiculous.  The guy pulled Pierce’s helmet off and threw it off to the side!

10:01 - Game over, but Mathias Kiwanuka is down.  If that’s on the holding penalty I am going to be PISSED.  Samuals just tackled Kiwi.  That’s a dirty play.  I’m sorry, the more I see that, the more I am angry. Damn….Kiwanuka better be ok.

10:00 - Dockery can get a lesson in coverage from Corey Webster.  That was a great job getting a hand on it.

9:59 - I can’t even believe the Skins are this close.  They should be toasted and down by at least 15 points right now.  I don’t like this at all.  The Giants offense needs to step it up next game if they want to do anything special.

9:57 - Ugh, I can’t stand Kevin Dockery. He needs to look.  He completely missed that coverage.  He’s lucky.

9:49 - 2 minute warning.  This game is almost certainly going to put the Giants at 1-0.  Good job G-men, but you can do way, way better.

9:48 - Wow, they almost got the 1st. But they didn’t. Turn over on downs.  Giants ball with 2:02 to go in the game.

9:45 - The Redskins have officially given up.  3rd-and-17 and they throw a 3-yard slant route to Moss.  That’s giving up to me.

9:41 - Portis with a 1st down.  The Giants D-line is not reacting to cutbacks and 2nd effort, and there was a blatant missed tackle too.  Fred Robbins is down.

9:41 - Chris Cooley with his first catch.  Campbell totally fooled Tuck with the fake there.  3rd and 2 for the Skins.

9:39 - Randle El with a big catch.  Kenny Phillips sighting though!

9:37 - Antonio Pierce with a stupid penalty.  Honestly, I never heard a whistle.  But he can’t do that. I don’t care what happened last series.  He’s the leader of the team.  He can’t do that.  BEAUTIFUL penetration by Tuck on the next play. I don’t understand what makes the Skins think they can keep trying run.

9:34 - Manning is sacked.  Snee just totally blew his block there, and Manning was a dead duck.  Not the QB’s fault there.  Feagles’ 3rd punt is downed at the 9, so the Skins will start way back there again.

9:31 - Plaxico Burress just successfully ran a hook route on press coverage.  He can be unbelievable when he wants to be.  The contract extension was a great idea.

9:27 - Pierce getting into it with his former team and gets his helmet ripped off, and the Skins don’t get a flag.  Ridiculous.

9:25 - The NBC scoreboard on the bottom of the screen sometimes shows the formations of either team. Showing the amount of receivers and D-backs.  A very cool and helpful feature I think.

9:20 - The Giants’ 2nd punt, and they cover it BEAUTIFULLY.  Redskins starting on their own 10.

9:17 - Eli just got sacked for the first time.  He just held it too long. Smoot goes back into the locker room.

9:15 - Fantasy Update:
Eli: 16/30, 187 yds, 0 passing TD, 1 Int, 1 rushing TD
Jacobs: 14 rushes, 93 yds (that’s 6.6 yards per carry.  Sick)
Ward: 9 rushes, 39 yds
Burress: 9 catches, 120 yds

Campbell: 5/10, 40 yds, 1 TD
Portis: 16 rushes, 64 yds
Santana Moss: 3 rushes, 22 yds, 1 TD

9:12 - Smoot is walking VERY slowly off on his own power.  He took a teammate’s knee to his lower back. 2nd and 2 for the Giants on their own 37.

9:08 - Eli’s making a lot more accurate throws now.  Fred Smoot is down and as John Madden described, he’s “writhing in pain.” He’s really hurt. Commercial break.

9:04 - The Skins offense can’t get anything going.  Another 3-and-out after the interception.

9:01 - And Manning’s inaccuracy finally gets the best of him, as he badly overthrows Kevin Boss, and Fred Smoot picks it off.  A horrible pass.

9:00 - 2 big plays, a pass to Plax for 9 yards and a Jacobs breakout run and the Giants are in Redskins territory.

8:55 - Jason Campbell went for it all, and Aaron Ross had perfect coverage on Santana Moss.  Ross almost made a brilliant interception.  Looks like Moss stopped mid-route and allowed Ross to catch up.  The Skins get stopped just short of the first down, and will punt.

8:51 - Giants punt for their first time in the game.  Eli was very innacurate on that series.

8:50 - Manning needs to stop throwing it right to the Skins.  That’s about the 3rd time tonight a Redskin defensive back has dropped a pick.

8:43 - Wow.  Kiwanuka just caught Portis from behind on the backside after just tooling Chris Cooley off the line.  He’s a talented player, for sure.

8:27 - Halftime.  16-7 Giants.  It should be AT LEAST 20-7.  But alas, here we are, with 2 failed red zone drives, and one that stalled at the 30.  The Giants NEED to convert those drives if they’re going to beat better teams.  Even this team, they need to put the Redskins away.

8:24 - Santana Moss just caught a TD pass from Jason Campbell.  The Redskins should be thanking Rock Cartwright for a 50-yard kick return and Jay Alford for a 15-yard facemask.  Here’s where the 3 field goals instead of at least one TD out of those 3 drives will hurt.  PAT good, it’s 16-7 Giants.  They need to put this team away and stop making stupid mistakes.

8:20 - FINALLY the Redskins get a completed pass and a first down.  I kind of feel happy for them….wait, no I don’t.

8:15 - Once again, the Giants can’t convert in the red zone.  This is the only bad thing about this game for the Giants.  And it’s very bad.  Carney hits the 47-yard FG.  16-0.

8:14 - Kevin just found a great stat.  Washington’s offense: 12 plays, for 16 yards. Of those 16 yards, -8 of them are passing. Just horrible.  Burress with a big catch.

8:12 - Brandon Jacobs just breaks free, and bursts down the sidelines for a huge gain.  Madison Hedgecock makes a massive block for Jacobs.  You will hear that a lot this season. PS: Seubert’s back in the game.

8:06 - The Giants defense comes through again. STUFFAGE of the 3rd-and-1 of the Skins.  Another drive, no first downs for Washington.  Just awful.

8:00 - Another short FG for Carney. 13-0 Giants.  To beat some of the elite teams, they’re going to need to convert these red zone trips to TD’s against better defenses.  O well, it’s the first game of the season.

7:59 - Another drive stalls in the red zone.  Coughlin can’t be happy with that.  Rich Seubert is helped off the field.

7:58 - Eli’s been flirting with the play clock all game.  He finally got burned.  Delay of game.

7:56 - Check this stat out: Giants, 11 first downs.  Redskins, 1 first down.  And that 1 first down came on McDougal’s roughing the kicker penalty after they went 3-and-out.  Just a domination right now.

7:52 - Sinorice Moss sighting! His first catch of the season, a 23-yard gain

7:45 - Here’s why Spagnuolo is so successful: Michael Johnson comes flying in to put pressure on Campbell, and who’s back in coverage the closest to the ball? None other than DE Justin Tuck.  If I were Campbell, I’d be so confused. Another 3-and-out for the Skins.

7:42 - A bonehead play by Jerome McDougal.  He went to block the punt, missed, and took out the Skins kicker.  You can’t go head on to the punter. That’s football basics.  Automatic first down for the Skins.

7:41 - Danny Clark makes his first big play as a Giant.  Very nice pressure, and he gets the swatted ball.  This game is just an overall clinic by the Giants.  The Redskins look AWFUL.  Just terrible.  3-and-out again for the Skins.

PEOPLE, I WANT TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS!!!

7:37 - Carney hits his first FG as a Giant, a 24 yarder. 10-0 Giants.  Anyone else think Carney’s helmet looks HUGE on him?

7:35 - Jacobs hit the hole and just burst.  Does he still need to remind people not to go high on him? I guess Laron Landry still needs a reminder. He just got TRUCKED by Jacobs.  A BRUISING hit.

7:32 - Ward with his first run of the season.  A nice hole and he gets the first down.

7:26 - We need to get anyone else returning punts besides McQuarters.  He scares me SO MUCH.

7:24 - Sack on the first defensive play of the year.  Looks like this defensive line still strikes fear in opponents. Don’t doubt, people. JUSTIN TANK.

7:20 - As we wait for commercials, I want to say…that is the way you start off a season.  The Redskins were the turning point for last season, this year they’re starting off well against them.  I like this a LOT.

7:18 - Eli’s got wheels! TD GIANTS

7:15 - Plax with a RIDICULOUS catch. He tipped it up and caught it himself in between 2 defenders.  You think maybe he’s being motivated by 35 million big ones? I do.  Also, how much confidence does Eli show when calling signals? A ton. It’s so great to see.

7:11 - Plaxico is WIDE OPEN for his first catch.  If Eli puts this any farther, it’s a TD.  Good job by this offense. So many weapons

7:11 - Steve Smith with the Giants’ first catch of the season for the FIRST DOWN! A perfect pass by Manning. I am so excited about this offense.

7:10 - Eli’s first pass started with a very nice fake, but he put it into the ground in front of Jacobs. Gotta do better than that.

7:07 - THE 2008 NFL SEASON IS NOW UNDERWAY. Bradshaw with a so-so return. Let’s see what this offense has! Kevin says the Giants have to get off to a good start. Let’s see if they can do that.

7:02 - MICHAEL STRAHAN IS BACK!! What an incredibly awesome speech by the man, the myth, the legend. I love him.

6:54 - I love Brian Williams, but get him off NBC, WE WANT SOME FOOTBALL!!

6:47 - Also earlier today, Plaxico Burress finally got the extension he wanted, signing a contract worth $35 million and taking him through 2012.  A very good investment for the G-men in my opinion

6:46 - Added to the inactive list are WR Mario Manningham and CB Sam Madison for the Giants.  Fred Smoot is starting for Shawn Springs at corner

6:40 - I’m back and here to stay. I’m here to take your questions/comments/predictions. Everything will get posted!

5:51 - hey folks, it’s 1 hour to kickoff, and I’m readying the live blog now! About 15 minutes before kickoff I will open this thing up to live questions.  You can either post here as a comment, or you can use AIM to instant message me at NYGiantscast1.  Make sure when you post/IM something you tell me your first name and where you’re from. I will be posting and updating from the game regularly with my comments, and anyone who wants to ask something, feel free, I’ll answer it.

For the record, the new episode is up previewing this game, so check that out before you turn it on!

The AIM screenname is: NYGiantscast1

My idea is to assign either Kevin or I to a game, and then rotate every other one.  That way you get a dose of both of us.

I will update everyone on the chat room idea.  For now, send us your questions and comments during games, and we will answer them, and then at the end I’ll make a post with everyone’s questions and comments!! I will do the first game, and I’ll be online around 6:45 or so since I have class until 6:20 on Thursdays.

GIANTS:

Out: K Lawrence Tynes, CB Terrell Thomas, LB Jonathan Goff
Questionable: WR Domenick Hixon (LoHud Giants blog says he’s good to go)
Probable: RB Ahmad Bradshaw

REDSKINS:

Out: WR Malcolm Kelly
Doubtful: S Kareem Moore
Questionable: DE Jason Taylor
Probable: LB Khary Campbell, CB Shawn Springs

First, the final roster:

Offense: 25

Quarterback (2): Eli Manning, David Carr.

Running Back (5): Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw, Reuben Droughns,

Danny Ware.

Fullback (1): Madison Hedgecock.

Wide Receiver (6): Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham,

Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss.

Tight End: (3): Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews, Darcy Johnson.

Offensive Line: (8): Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, David Diehl, Kevin Boothe, Adam Koets, Grey Ruegamer.

Defense: 25

Defensive Line (8): Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield,

Renaldo Wynn, Dave Tollefson, Jay Alford, Rodney Leisle.

Linebackers (7): Antonio Pierce, Gerris Wilkinson, Danny Clark, Chase Blackburn,

Zak DeOssie, Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff.

Defensive Backs: (10): Aaron Ross, Corey Webster, James Butler, Michael Johnson,

Kevin Dockery, Sam Madison, R.W. McQuarters, Sammy Knight,

Kenny Phillips, Terrell Thomas.

Specialists: 3

Punter (1): Jeff Feagles.

Kickers (2): Lawrence Tynes, John Carney.

Here are some players of note that didn’t make it:

WR Brandon London, QB Andre Woodson, K Josh Houston, QB Jared Lorenzen (earlier in the preseason)

Guys on IR:

DE Osi Umenyiora, OT Guy Whimper, QB Anthony Wright, S Craig Dahl, RB Kay-Jay Harris (what a sweet name), WR Craphonso Thorpe, DE Robert Henderson (rookie), C Digger Bujnoch (rookie)

Other roster notes:

If you don’t see David Tyree on the 53-man roster, it’s because he’s on the Physically Unable to Perform list.  He is not allowed to be on the roster until Week 6, and is required to be on the roster by Week 10 or else he is released.  He is rehabing a surgically repaired knee.

JOHN CARNEY SIGNED:

Kicker John Carney was signed to temporarily replace the injured Lawrence Tynes.  Tynes has a knee injury he suffered 3 weeks ago in Albany.  Carney is the fifth-highest scorer in NFL history, and he is attempting to continue his distinguished career.  He played 8 games last year for Jacksonville and 5 for Kansas City.  The tandem of Carney and Feagles may be the NFL’s oldest kicking tandem haha.

My opinions on the roster:

The team’s biggest hole right now is clearly the LB position.  Looks like passing on Dan Conner and going with Terrell Thomas in the 2nd round of the draft was not such a good idea.  I knew it.  I knew it right away.  The Giants’ weakness has always been linebacker, and it’s no different now.  I think they may have to go out and get a free agent linebacker at some point in the season, preferably sooner than later.  The most expendable guys on the roster right now in my opinion are defensive back Kevin Dockery and running back Reuben Droughns.  10 defensive backs is a lot, and Dockery has the tendancy to make some boneheaded plays.  The 2 biggest holes are defensive line and linebacker, like I said before.  If we had Osi, neither would be a problem because Osi would be on the line, and Kiwi would be back at LB.  But moving Kiwi up to the line creates a huge hole in that LB corps.  On the flip side of the ball, I’m very, very excited to see what this offense can do.  I think there is big play ability at the WR position, and the RB corps is extremely deep.  The O-line is talented, returning all of the guys who protected Eli on their way to the SB win last year.

Keep those comments coming guys!! We’re gonna get this next episode done as soon as we can.

However, we will be back in action later this weekend (probably tomorrow) with a full season preview and offseason recap show.  It might be a long show, but it will be incredibly informative.  We won’t have time for a guest this time around as we will have so much to talk about, but I have something planned for the show that is going to be a lot of fun in the coming weeks.  I’ll keep you updated with information as I get it.

Hope we haven’t lost too many listeners with our huge break, and we welcome back any returnees who have been devastated by our disappearance (haha, I’ll keep pretending we’re important).

An excellent article on Strahan - http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spstaple0611,0,5136048.column

“Me and my agent are trying to get a deal done so I can stay a New York Giant for a long time,” Burress said. “I, personally, don’t like the way they’re going and I am not happy about it. I am choosing not to participate.”

Just FYI: Burress’s agent is none other than the man I hate most in the professional sports world, Drew Rosenhaus.  And that is not an understatement.  I dislike him more than any other player, coach, or person in any sport.  He’s a liar, a cheat, a crook, and an all-around idiot.

Rosenhaus is notorious for wanting to redo contracts that players signed and have many years left on, but for some reason he believes that signature the player wrote with his own hand means nothing.  The case here is no different.  Burress still has 3 years left on his 6 year, $25 million deal.

On a side note, Shockey did report to practice.

GM Jerry Reese got $4 million extra in cap room after Michael Strahan retired, but still has to rework the contracts of Chris Snee and Brandon Jacobs, and may redo the contract of Osi Umenyiora at his request.

The D-Line now looks like this at the moment: Strahan (?), Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Jay Alford, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, 7th round pick Robert Henderson, and Dave Tollefson. That is a STACKED line.

Not sure Wynn will see much playing time besides giving someone a breather, and even then I don’t really see where he fits in. Most likely the 12-year vet will be giving advice more than racking up plays.

Wynn entered the league along with the other vet signed by the Giants, Danny Clark, on Coughlin’s Jaguars team. Wynn was the 1997 1st round pick of the Jags, 21st overall. He has also played for the Redskins and Saints.

1st Round (pick #31): S Kenny Phillips, Miami

2nd Round (pick #63): CB Terrell Thomas, USC

3rd Round (pick #95): WR Mario Manninngham, Michigan - a big-play kind of guy for Michigan. Caught 27 TD’s in his career, 20 of which went for 20 yards or more. Should be an excellent down-the-field force for the Giants in a couple of years.

4th Round (pick #123): LB Bryan Kuel, BYU - the Giants traded their third 6th-round pick to move up and get Kuel. A bit older since he’s coming from BYU (Mormon faith requires a service project for a year or two, which Kuel did in ‘03 and ‘04). He’s a great cover linebacker, and a smart one too. A quick, agile, hard-working guy.

5th Round (pick #165): LB Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt - a strong in-the-box backer who is accomplished academically as well. Has great upper-body strength and works well up in the box.

6th Round (pick #198): QB Andre Woodson, Kentucky - finished second in school history in many categories, 2nd only to Giants backup Jared Lorenzen. Has great instincts and can throw very well in a small window. However, he has a hitch in his delivery, and this needs to be corrected, or else it will lengthen his delivery enough for NFL corners to get a jump on the telegraphed throw. The Giants’ front office really want a QB for the future that was developed in their own system.

6th Round (pick #199): DE Robert Henderson, Southern Mississippi - not much info on this guy here, but it can’t hurt to have too many DE’s, as the Giants know from experience. Especially with Kiwanuka moving to LB possibly.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the draft. I’m just very very baffled still by the Dan Conner passing. I still haven’t figured it out, and neither have many experts. If anyone has any opinions, please feel free to email us or comment here, or leave us a phone message and we’ll put it in our draft recap cast.