American Football: Recap: Panthers vs. Giants

Eli Manning stepped to the line, pointing out the defense just like brother Peyton.

Before he could call his audible, Carolina defensive tackle Brentson Buckner pushed through the line and tossed the top draft pick to the ground.

Eli Manning barked out audibles at the line just like big brother Peyton in his first start Thursday.

Welcome to the NFL, rookie.

Jake Delhomme spoiled Manning's debut as starter for the New York Giants, throwing for one touchdown and running for another to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 27-20 preseason victory Thursday night.

"We did some good things, it was encouraging" said Delhomme, who failed to lead any touchdown drives in last week's win over Washington. "Last week, I was a little disappointed we didn't punch it in. So we did some good things, and it was something to build on."

Manning had an up-and-down day. His passes were sharp and mostly on the mark early, but as the game wore on, the Panthers and their vaunted defense figured him out.

Although Buckner's second-quarter takedown was flagged for encroachment, Manning was sacked by Mark Fields three plays later to bring his night to an end with Carolina leading 17-6. Manning finished 9-for-15 for 117 yards.

"I've still got a lot to learn," Manning said. "Feeling better in the pocket, being more comfortable in there. Standing there making my reads and better throws. But every day and every week, I feel more comfortable."

He proved to be a near carbon copy of his brother early, barking out audibles at the line beginning with just his second play of the game.

But unlike Peyton, the NFL's co-MVP last season for the Indianapolis Colts, he wasn't always on the mark. On his second series, he tried to change the play from the shotgun position but ran out of time and earned a delay of game penalty.

Manning was elusive, though, avoiding a safety by dumping the ball off just as Julius Peppers closed in on him in the end zone.

Peppers laughed about his near-miss later.

"It was a close call," Peppers said. "He threw it to no one. In a real game, I mean, this was preseason, so he got away with a close call."

In the end, the $45 million kid had impressed some of the Panthers.

"He's going to be good," defensive end Mike Rucker said. "They're trying to protect him with quick counts and hard counts and quick throws. That's understandable. He'll be good when he gets older."

On this night, it was Delhomme who sparkled.

An unheralded quarterback until he led Carolina into the Super Bowl last season, Delhomme picked up right where he left off with a sharp and confident passing game.

He went 11-of-13 for 144 yards, including back-to-back pretty passes to Steve Smith. One was for 38 yards, and Smith added a leap over his defenders on the next one, an 18-yard completion that moved the Panthers to the 7-yard line.

Delhomme threw a touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad on the next play for a 10-3 Carolina lead.

He later led the Panthers on a 12-play, 71-yard scoring drive and capped it with his own 1-yard TD run. The snap on the play was bad, and Delhomme had to fall away from the end zone. He recovered about four yards out, then scrambled left and into the end zone untouched for a 17-6 lead.

Manning probably moved ahead of Kurt Warner in the battle for the starting job.

Warner was sacked on his first two plays of the game and four times overall. He was intercepted late in the fourth quarter by William Hampton, who returned it 49-yards for a touchdown to seal the Carolina win.

Warner finished 9-of-11 for 71 yards.

"As we get closer to the season, we need to get some good playing time," Warner said. "Both of us need an opportunity to play and get a chance to get comfortable out there. But those aren't our decisions."

When it was first string vs first string the Panthers spanked the Giants.... when it was most of the Giant's first string against the Panthers second and third string.... it was still tilted in the Panthers favor.

I don't think Eli wanted to go to NY because they are a better team than San Diego, they just have better people in the higher-ups.

I wonder if this means that Warner will be the starter in week 1 or will Coughlin throw Manning in at the deep end

I see Eli and Warner getting equal snaps, if anybody catched some of the plays on this game at times Eli did not seem like a rookie. But i would look for warner to be Number 1 at the start, I dunno how long though.

Originally posted by lockheed

I don't think Eli wanted to go to NY because they are a better team than San Diego, they just have better people in the higher-ups.

Yeah, the organization is much better. Look at the issues the Chargers are having with Phillip Rivers, and he seems to be a level-headed guy!

Originally posted by Ben
I see Eli and Warner getting equal snaps, if anybody catched some of the plays on this game at times Eli did not seem like a rookie. But i would look for warner to be Number 1 at the start, I dunno how long though.

Coughlin probably won't show his hand until he absolutely has too.