-Eli Manning was outstanding in last night’s 45-35 season opening loss at Dallas even impressing ex-teammate turned NBC troll Tiki Barber. The fourth year QB did everything possible to try to carry the Giants to victory, completing 28-of-41 for 312 yards and four touchdowns.

The problem was his team’s D was non-existant allowing Tony Romo to throw for a career best 345 yards and account for five TD’s including one rushing in which he went in untouched by human hand. Ah. Untouched by human hand. An expression which usually isn’t a good thing especially if you’re required to tackle opponents.

Just how dreadful was Big Blue? If you watched just one quarter like we did after getting back from Brooklyn’s 8-4 Game One win over Staten Island, it was enough to make you sick. If missed tackles were in the dictionary, R.W. McQuarters and Sam “I ate too much icecream” Madison would appear next to the terminology.

How are these two washed up players still part of the roster? Apparently, they aren’t doing much good for Corey Webster who’s quickly picking up all their bad habits.

Aside from the awful coverage, the Giants got no pressure on Romo who had enough time to watch Britney Spears’ dismal MTV VMA’s performance. One problem was that key rusher Osi Umenyiora went down to a knee injury. With Michael Strahan back for his first action after missing the entire preseason, the Giants predictably got no pressure on the Dallas QB and paid the price giving up at least 10 plays of 15-or-more yards. Pathetic!

Aside from losing Umenyiora in the first half to a knee injury, Big Blue also lost starting RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) though third string back Derrick Ward (116 total yards) performed well. Plaxico Burress was outstanding torching the Cowboys for 144 yards on eight catches and three scores. Amani Toomer (9 receptions) was excellent in his first game back and Jeremy Shockey caught five passes and ran over some Cowboys.

Offense wasn’t the problem. Even Lawrence Tynes connected on all three field goals including from 48.

The biggest question right now is whether Manning will be in for the home opener against Green Bay in Week Two. Who knows? Last night, he suffered a bruised right shoulder and still came back in to lead a scoring drive before eventually exiting after Romo and Sam Hurd hooked up for a 51-yard score which put the game out of reach.

It’s been reported by ESPN (who else would jump the gun here) that he suffered a separated shoulder but the Giants have denied that Eli will be out a month. So who knows what the truth is?

If he is out, they’re screwed. Would anyone really have faith in Jared Lorenzen? They may as well give Jeff Hostetler a call.

-What happened to Bills TE Kevin Everett is what everyone associated with football fears the most. One can only keep their fingers crossed for him now.
-Speaking of Buffalo, only they could find a way to lose a home opener at the buzzer. Even with Denver having no timeouts, they got a first down and snap off in time for Jason Elam to bury a 42-yard kick with no time left. This isn’t the first time Bills fans have seen their team lose in heartbreaking fashion. It just seems to happen often to this franchise which makes you wonder if they should star in a real life version of Groundhog Day. But who would Bill Murray play? Maybe one of my two Bills buddies who are probably pondering when the nightmare will finally end.

-This just in. … TO just ran by another Giant.

-Which New York D was worse? The Giants or the Jets which allowed 38 points, 431 total yards and 28 first downs to the Pats?

-Gang Green supporters who cheered when Kellen Clemens entered the game for a hobbled Chad Pennington looked bad because of the timing of it. Their star QB looked seriously hurt and still might be even though he heroically returned and led them down the field like a true leader who has more heart than anyone. It’s understood that the fans were lending support to the new guy cause they want to see what he’s got but it looked very bad. That Pennington wouldn’t utter a bad word about the awkwardness of the moment yesterday is a testament to what kind of a person he is. He’ll always be easy to root for.

-If you’re the Jets and even if you’re acting like the Devils when it comes to the injury status of your QB mysteriously referring to him as “day-to-day,” it might be wise to sit him out against Baltimore next week.

-That defense the Packers displayed yesterday against the Eagles just might be good enough to keep them in enough games this season.

-For as well as they shutdown league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson yesterday, the Bears must be wondering about Rex Grossman because 11 incompletions in 23 attempts along with 145 yards and three sacks isn’t going to cut it. Neither are the 42 rushing yards Cedric Benson had while losing two fumbles. Fortunately, they don’t have to play the Chargers anymore. It doesn’t help that they finally get back Tommie Harris and then suffer a blow to the D losing Mike Brown for the season.
-Chad Johnson is a very exciting player on and off the field but could the ESPN commentators stop overdoing it already? It’s enough to make you sick.

-Thirty-three passes for Damon Huard and 10 carries for franchise back Larry Johnson can’t be the game plan for Herm Edwards can it? But hey, he plays to win the game!

-Whoever would’ve believed that Michigan vs Notre Dame would become a toilet bowl game in week three of the college football season?

-Did MTV really think having Britney back on their hideous awards show was a good idea? It’s been over for a while. And try telling me the last time actual music and MTV were relevant.