Final Thoughts on New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears

The 41-13 rout of the Chicago Bears would normally be a time for a little preseason rejoice.

Most areas of the New York Giants played very well, or perhaps merely well enough.

Either way, it was a sign of progress.

Yet already, even before the first official game of the year, the victory was marred by a terrible injury.

Terrell Thomas, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament with less than a minute to go in the first half, will miss the entire 2011 season.

Thomas, believe it or not, was the Giants leading tackler in 2010. He was a big part of their secondary and defense in general.

What the Giants will miss is his coverage skills first and foremost, but also his versatility (after all, he injured himself on a cornerback blitz.

When he met with the media last Saturday, on the final day of Giants training camp, he explained to me some of the things that were on his mind.

"Definitely happy to have Deon (Grant) back," said Thomas, who was finishing up a couple of chocolate chip cookies from his lunch.

Deon Grant's role, interestingly enough, just got a little bit bigger with Thomas now out. Talk had been of using Thomas as the third safety in Perry Fewell's three safety look that he used last year.

Thomas assured me it wasn't that unique.

"It wasn't ever really a three safety thing," he said. "It's really more of just playing nickel corner. I did that in college."

And he seemed unconcerned with the Bears.

When asked about whether he was concerned with their speed, he told me, "Not at all. We did well against them last year, we had no problem with their speed then."

Playing against them in the first half last night, he certainly seemed to be backing that up. The Giants defense allowed only two field goals against Chicago's starters.

He will be missed.

And the other thought that came to me watching last night was regarding the Giants quarterbacks. David Carr played well, helping his candidacy to supplant Sage Rosenfels as the second-string QB.

But then I remembered who Carr was, and something hit me.

For all the Eli Manning haters out there, and there are a few of them, just remember one thing.

He's not David Carr.

And no matter what the Eli haters say, that's a fact.

Another fact is that both were No. 1 overalls in their respective drafts.

Carr in 2002, Manning in 2004.

They are two players separated by two years in the draft, and many milestones on the field.

It's almost ironic that Manning ends up on a team with Carr, yet is heckled as the one who isn't living up to his draft status.

Sure, Carr played well last night. But then again he was playing against Chicago's backups.

Giants fans should remember that while Eli throws interceptions, he's mostly a great quarterback. He is not Carr, the other former first overall pick on the Giants who's bounced around the league.