Some Pregame Thoughts
Weather
It’s a beautiful day in the NY-Metro area. Just a few harmless clouds floating around and the temp should be in the high 70′s by game time.
Last Minute Notes
Firsts……Bill Sheridan takes over for Steve Spagnuolo at defensive coordinator….Hakeem Nicks, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard and Bruce Johnson will be four of the new faces that will see extended action in the inaugural appearances in Blue…Big Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins’ big off-season quarry, debuts in the middle of one of the league’s top defenses…..the Skins’ top draft choice, celebrated LB Brian Orakpo makes his NFL debut today
Lasts….This is the final season at Giants Stadium, so obviously, this is the teams’ final opening day there….
Things to watch for……The Giants paid Eli Manning AIG bailout-type numbers this summer to run their offense. Then they reloaded their receiving corps with young, viable talent……Eli is throwing better than he’s ever thrown as a Giant, partially due to the new practice facility that allows him to air out his throws…look for him to have a huge season and return to Hawaii in February, with a possible stop in Miami first….the defensive line has retooled as well…the rotation that smothered teams two years ago is back in top form and ready to wreak havoc….
Possible factors in today’s game…..Haynesworth is the biggest factor, but it’s going to be hot and he weighs close to 400 lbs…he may end up on the sideline more than he’ll be on the field…that changes the dynamic of the entire war in the trenches and could allow the Blue to run the ball with ease……….the Giants are thin at corner…Aaron Ross will not play and Kevin Dockery is questionable, leaving only Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas and rookie Bruce Johnson to cover Wsshington’s Santana Moss, Malcolm Kelly and Antwan Randle-El….watch out………Chase Blackburn starts as WILL for the Blue…he will have the responsibility of handling TE Chris Cooley, who has had big games against New York in the past….
