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whadu · Level 49: GameShark **Posts:** 37006 **Timestamp:** Thu Sep 04, 08 5:16 PM

cbc: Adversity is nothing new to the New York Giants.

New York started last season with an 0-2 record after losing its first two games by a combined score of 80-48. The Giants, of course, went 10-4 the rest of the regular season, and followed that up by winning three consecutive road games in the playoffs on their way to capturing their third Super Bowl championship.

Six months after ending New England's bid for a perfect season with one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the Giants begin defence of their NFL title when they host the Washington Redskins Thursday night in the opening game of the 2008 NFL season.

Repeating as champions could prove difficult for the Giants, though.

New York led the league with 53 sacks last season but the club will have to make due without the services of seven-time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan, who announced his retirement in June.

New York's defensive line will also be minus two-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, who went down with a season-ending knee injury in a pre-season game last month.

The loss of Strahan and Umenyiora is a big blow for the Giants — the two starting ends combined for 22 sacks last season — and has forced the team into making some major defensive adjustments.

Justin Tuck will take over for Strahan on the left side, while Mathias Kiwanuka has been moved from his linebacker position to Umenyiora's spot on the right.

The Giants also signed defensive end Jerome McDougle, who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, to serve as a backup. Second-year player Jay Alford has been practising at end and tackle, as well.

"It's definitely a big difference," Alford told the New York Times. "It's two different worlds in that little bit of space. The ends get all the sacks and we just sit there and watch them get the sacks. The tackles do all the dirty work. We're just up there to take up space."

"I think from a mental standpoint guys are even more focused than they were last year and ready to get off to a fast start," middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said.
Redskins eye fast start

Getting off to a fast start is also on the minds of the Redskins and new coach Jim Zorn.

Washington sported a 9-7 record last season, winning its final four games of the campaign before dropping a 35-14 decision to the Seattle Seahawks in the first round.

Zorn, a former NFL quarterback, has installed a version of the West Coast offence, a vast departure from Washington's approach under former coach Joe Gibbs.

Under Zorn's offensive scheme, fourth-year quarterback Jason Campbell will be expected to get the ball in the hands of playmakers Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and Chris Cooley

"I have been very pleased with his progression and I am hoping that as we get into the season now, when he has these full games, he will continue to grow within the offense and our football team," Zorn said of Campbell.

Zorn also hopes defensive end Jason Taylor, acquired from Miami in the off-season, will be available to play against New York.

Taylor hasn't missed a game since 1999, but he is questionable for Thursday's contest after he spraining his right knee in an exhibition game on Aug. 23.

"I have every reason to believe he's going to be there, so my cup's half-full," Zorn said. "But it's only half-full, because there's a chance he could miss the first one."

Source: [url=link]cbc.com[/url]

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