GIANT NOTES
Giants defensive end Michael Strahan was able to battle through back spasms and was active for last night’s game against the Saints. Not only was Strahan on the field, but also he was effective as usual.
Strahan was unable to practice on Saturday and instead was sent to a chiropractor to help ease the discomfort in his lower back. This has occurred in the past and each time Strahan was able to play after a 48-hour recovery period. Durability has been one of his strengths; he played in every game for seven consecutive years before missing the final eight games last season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Strahan was in on three tackles in the first half and had a nine-yard sack of Aaron Brooks.
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CB Will Peterson returned to his accustomed spot at right cornerback. He missed last week’s season opener coming off strained knee ligaments. LB Barrett Green (knee) was inactive once again. Other Giants inactives: CB Frank Walker, G Rich Seubert, WR Jamaar Taylor, DE Eric Moore, DE Adrian Awasom, DT Damane Duckett.
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Jay Feely, who prides himself on being an athlete and not merely a kicker, loves to get in on the action in coverage. On the opening kickoff, along with LB Nick Greisen, he laid a hit on Fred McAfee, causing a fumble, but Feely paid a price with a sprained back . . . WR Amani Toomer, whose 98-game streak with at least one reception ended last week, finally made his first catch of the season with a six-yard grab early in the second quarter . . . In the second quarter, LB Carlos Emmons made his fifth career interception and first since 2000 . . . DT William Joseph had another solid game and came away with a third-quarter fumble recovery.
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Former President Bush tossed the coin in the pre-game ceremony . . . The Giants and Saints will contribute $1 million of last night’s gate proceeds to Hurricane Katrina relief. Additionally, the Giants contributed another $400,000 and the NFL Players Association announced it would give $1 million. In all, the NFL, owners, teams and players have donated $11 million to the Gulf Coast.
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Saints RB Deuce McAllister passed George Rogers to become the leading rusher in New Orleans franchise history . . . WR Joe Horn‘s second-quarter TD catch was his fifth in three games against the Giants . . . The Saints were called for a ghastly 11 penalties for 72 yards in the first half.
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The Giants were designated as the road team and wore their road white uniforms, but as strange as that was, it something they are accustomed to, to a degree.
“We’ve had that with the Jets before, and it really doesn’t change much,” FB Jim Finn said. “I’m actually excited to get to wear the new white uniforms again.”
Added Tiki Barber: “We’re on our same sideline. The colors will be different in the stadium. We don’t pay too much attention to that. I think there are going to be a lot of Giants fans there, so if we do well, we’ll know about it.”