National Football League

Giants look for answers in preseason opener

Published Aug. 14, 2010 9:29 p.m. ET

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Forget the needless trash talking with the New York Jets.

The New York Giants are heading into the preseason opener against their longtime rivals looking to answer lingering questions left over from a dismal 2009 season.

Can new coordinator Perry Fewell help the defense rebound from a disastrous season? Will the running game get back on track? Can rookie Matt Dodge replace the retired Jeff Feagles at punter?

Are the Giants capable of getting back to the playoffs after missing out for the first time since 2004?

The answers will start coming Monday night in the first NFL game at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the 82,500 seat facility co-owned by the Giants and Jets.

There is no doubt the Jets have gotten the majority of the publicity in the New York metropolitan area since their stunning playoff run.

It got to Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas this week. He told the New York Daily News that the Giants ''want to send a message to them (the Jets) that it's still our town. And it's going to be our stadium.''

Jets linebacker Bart Scott wondered aloud who was Terrell Thomas?

Thomas fired back on Saturday:

''I could care less what he thinks or who he knows. I know who I am and that's all that matters.''

There was more, but it was simply football players yapping.

The truth is the Giants have been that other team in the area this year.

''We're completely OK with being overlooked right now,'' Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said. ''I think the last time that we were overlooked we came out with a ring.''

That was the 2007 season and the Giants capped it by upsetting the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

There are similarities. The Giants made the playoffs in 2006 with an 8-8 record. They also were 8-8 in 2009, a season when they opened 5-0 and then lost 8 of 11 games, including two embarrassing blowouts in the final two weeks in which the opponents scored 85 points.

After Bill Sheridan was fired as defensive coordinator, the high-energy Fewell was hired. The former Bills interim coach has been running around in training camp at the University at Albany, screaming for turnovers and leading defenders on returns after they happen.

''As long as the chemistry is there, I almost feel like I know we can do it,'' said safety Deon Grant, who was signed as a free agent. ''I know we'll be there. As long as we stay healthy and get the chemistry and coach P calls it the way he calls it, the sky is the limit.''

The defense also needs some help from the offense, particularly the running game, which went from the best in the league in 2008 to a middle of the pack team last season.

The long drives that resulted in touchdowns and kept the defense off the field were missing. Part of the problem was that halfbacks Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw played hurt. They had offseason surgery and they are ready to run.

''We want to come out and play physical and play smash-mouth football,'' tackle David Diehl said. ''You get than going by getting the running game going. We've been hitting each other for the past two weeks and we're sick of it. What better way to start off than playing the Jets.''

Possibly the biggest question mark on the team is Dodge. The seventh-round draft pick was handed Feagles' job after the veteran retired in April. The rookie has struggled at times.

In Friday's practice, his punts had neither hang time and distance. His problem might be the Giants are trying to get him to be a directional punter, something that is new for him.

''I am getting frustrated because I know we are working on a lot of stuff,'' Dodge said Saturday. ''I'm an instant gratification kind of guy. They brought me in here to punt well and not struggle like that. I'm frustrated in that sense.''

The preseason opener also will be a chance for some of the young players to show their stuff. With Pro Bowler Steve Smith out with a groin injury, second-year receiver Ramses Barden will get a chance to show what he can do.

''The comfort has grown and the chemistry with Eli (Manning) has grown,'' Barden said. ''I think that will play an important fact in my success and the team's success.''

The battle to back-up Manning also will be visible with veteran Jim Sorgi and first-year pro Rhett Bomar on stagg. Sorgi, who was Peyton Manning's backup in Indianapolis until signing with the Giants in the offseason, has been the No. 2 in camp. Bomar has shown a great arm at times.

Top draft picks Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph also will see their first action after looking good in camp. Pierre-Paul is an athletic defensive end, while Joseph is a brute of a defensive tackle.

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