YourBlackSports: Redskins and Giants to start the NFL Season Opener

By Steven A. Gilley
Stevengilley15@aol.com

The last time the New York Giants faced the Washington Redskins was in Week 15 of the 2007 regular season. The Redskins won 22-10, but the Giants got the last laugh by winning Superbowl XLII against the New England Patriots, who were undefeated until that point.

Entering the 2008 season as the defending champions, the Giants must compete in the NFC East without two key players on defense line. All-Pro defensive end Michael Strahan decided to retire earlier this year and defensive end Osi Umenyiora was placed on the injury reserve after a knee-injury.

However, the Giants still have Superbowl XLII MVP quarterback Eli Manning, who has gained a lot of confidence after his performance in the Superbowl. Manning will also benefit from having his favorite receiver Plaxico Burress back, who returned after threatening to holdout for a new contract.

The Redskins will try to start the season off strong and carry on without All-Pro safety Sean Taylor, who was shot and killed last season. Despite losing Taylor, the Redskins triumphed last season and made it to the playoffs. Their season ended in the NFL Wild Card game after losing to the Seattle Seahawks 35-14.

One of their biggest concerns was at the quarterback position, as they had to decide to either go with Jason Campbell or Todd Collins, who was the savior after Campbell went down with an injury last season. However, Campbell has maintained the starting position since training camp.

With the addition of new head coach Jim Zorn and All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor, the Redskins hope to build from last season and advance further in the playoffs. Taylor is questionable for the game after spraining his knee in a preseason game last week.

The season opener was originally scheduled to start at 9 p.m. but due to the Republican National Convention, the NFL and NBC agreed to start the game earlier at 7 p.m.