<table> </table> EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | The New York Giants kicked off their Super Bowl title defense with what else — defense.Playing without Pro Bowl linemen Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (injured), the defense limited new-look Washington to 11 first downs and 209 total yards in a 16-7 victory that ushered in the NFL season Thursday night. The Giants gave all indications that they’re back for another run.“We played well, and it’s no surprise to us,” defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. “We feel like we’ve got capable guys, and we held them for very few yards other than the 2-minute situations where they got most of their yardage.“We are confident in our defense and feel like if we stick with the scheme, we’ll have success all year.”Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress and the rest of the offense that started the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots also came up big in spoiling the debut of Washington coach Jim Zorn and his West Coast offense.Manning capped a game-opening 84-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and recently signed John Carney kicked three field goals as the Giants scored on their first four possessions in posting a rare home win. They won their final 11 away from Giants Stadium in capturing their third Super Bowl, but they were 3-5 at home, losing the last four games.The win capped a fun-filled opening night for Giants fans, who saw the retired Strahan hold up the Lombardi Trophy just minutes before the opening kickoff.“It was a great opening to the season,” said Manning, who completed 19 of 35 for 216 yards and an interception. “There was a lot of emotion, a lot of excitement.“It was a great crowd. They were fired up. It was good to play well at home and to win a game at home. It’s been a while.”Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his defense made sure that streak came to an end, and in the process might have made Washington owner Dan Synder think twice about missing out on the Giants’ defensive coordinator as his new head coach. Spagnuolo was a serious candidate to replace Joe Gibbs until backing out to stay with the Giants.The only concern for the Giants was that defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka suffered an ankle injury on the final play, but he said after the game that he was OK.

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Posted on Thu, Sep. 04, 2008 10:15 PM

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Giants open Super Bowl defense with 16-7 win against Washington

The Associated Press

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | The New York Giants kicked off their Super Bowl title defense with what else — defense.

Playing without Pro Bowl linemen Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (injured), the defense limited new-look Washington to 11 first downs and 209 total yards in a 16-7 victory that ushered in the NFL season Thursday night. The Giants gave all indications that they’re back for another run.

“We played well, and it’s no surprise to us,” defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. “We feel like we’ve got capable guys, and we held them for very few yards other than the 2-minute situations where they got most of their yardage.

“We are confident in our defense and feel like if we stick with the scheme, we’ll have success all year.”

Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress and the rest of the offense that started the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots also came up big in spoiling the debut of Washington coach Jim Zorn and his West Coast offense.

Manning capped a game-opening 84-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and recently signed John Carney kicked three field goals as the Giants scored on their first four possessions in posting a rare home win. They won their final 11 away from Giants Stadium in capturing their third Super Bowl, but they were 3-5 at home, losing the last four games.

The win capped a fun-filled opening night for Giants fans, who saw the retired Strahan hold up the Lombardi Trophy just minutes before the opening kickoff.

“It was a great opening to the season,” said Manning, who completed 19 of 35 for 216 yards and an interception. “There was a lot of emotion, a lot of excitement.

“It was a great crowd. They were fired up. It was good to play well at home and to win a game at home. It’s been a while.”

Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his defense made sure that streak came to an end, and in the process might have made Washington owner Dan Synder think twice about missing out on the Giants’ defensive coordinator as his new head coach. Spagnuolo was a serious candidate to replace Joe Gibbs until backing out to stay with the Giants.

The only concern for the Giants was that defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka suffered an ankle injury on the final play, but he said after the game that he was OK.

Posted on Thu, Sep. 04, 2008 10:15 PM

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