Giants Fall 13-10 to Lions in Preseason Opener: The Giants were defeated 13-10 by the Detroit Lions on Thursday night at Ford Field.
The good news was there were a number of positives from young players such rookies S Kenny Phillips, CB Terrell Thomas, and LB Bryan Kehl. There were also flashes of positive play from the defensive line (both starters and back-ups) and some of the young receivers.
Unfortunately, rookie LB Jonathan Goff suffered a fractured transverse process in his lower back. The severity of the injury is not yet known. Rookie defensive ends Robert Henderson and Wallace Gilberry both suffered ankle injuries. X-rays were taken. No word yet on the severity of those injuries.
Detroit opened a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game, moving 78 yards in eight plays. The big plays were a 38-yard pass completion on 3rd-and-3 and a 20-yard touchdown pass from QB Jon Kitna to WR Roy Williams.
“Obviously, giving up seven points on the first drive is never a good thing,” said LB Antonio Pierce. “We did a good job against the run. With the big pass plays down the field, we have to work on that, but guys are running around and had a lot of energy. That’s a good thing. We’ve got more work to do. That’s why you play the preseason.”
The Giants’ first-string offense, minus key components such as wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Steve Smith, was unable to generate any points in the first quarter on two drives. QB Eli Manning finished the game 2-of-6 for 19 yards. HB Brandon Jacobs did run for 27 yards on two carries.
“We got off to a slow start, which is not what we really wanted to do,” said Manning. “Throwing the ball wasn’t very solid at first. During the second drive, we got a couple first downs and moved the ball. We were able to change field position. We still have some work to do, and that’s what the preseason is all about, getting the kinks out and finding out what we need to work on.”
In the second quarter, in a drive that was started by the first-string offense at the end of the first quarter, the Giants did manage to get into field goal range, but PK Lawrence Tynes missed a 44-yard field goal. On New York’s next possession, QB Anthony Wright hit WR Sinorice Moss for 46 yards, helping to set up a successful 33-yard attempt by Tynes that cut the score to 7-3.
On the Lions’ ensuing possession, Detroit moved the ball 49 yards in 10 plays to set up a successful 50-yard field goal to give the Lions a 10-3 advantage at halftime.
On the Giants’ first drive of the second half, New York decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Lions’ 45-yard line, but HB Reuben Droughns was stuffed for a 2-yard loss. Detroit then managed to reach the Giants’ 19-yard line but missed a 37-yard field goal attempt.
Both teams struggled on on offense on their two ensuing possessions in the third quarter. The Giants then mounted a 9-play, 66-yard drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB David Carr to WR Craphonso Thorpe in the fourth quarter. The score was tied at 10-10.
Both teams then went three-and-out before Detroit mounted their 11-play, 53-yard, game-winning drive that ended with a successful 41-yard field goal attempt. With just under three minutes to play, the Giants were given one last chance but the drive sputtered and the Giants turned the football over on downs.
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), WR Steve Smith (groin), WR Mario Manningham (quad), WR David Tyree (PUP – knee), OT Shane Olivea (back), LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia), and S Craig Dahl (knee).
Giants Looking at QB Chad Pennington: General Manager Jerry Reese admitted after the Giants’ 13-10 loss to the Lions that they were evaluating QB Chad Pennington, who was released by the New York Jets yesterday.
“We take a look at everybody,” said Reese. “That includes him.”