Top 5 Moments of the New York Jets / New York Giants Preseason Rivalry

Despite Hurricane Irene ripping through the East Coast this weekend, the New York Jets are still preparing for their annual preseason match-up against the New York Giants on Monday night.

The battle between New York's two teams has become more intense throughout the past few years, especially with the arrival of Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan. The teams have gone back and forth regarding Twitter and ESPN claiming to be "The Best Team of New York," and the newly built Metlife Stadium has added to that fire.

It seems as though this game has had huge implications in the past because many players have been injured, and most of the past games have drawn national attention. This year's match-up will be highlighted by the return of Jets WR Plaxico Burress, who played for the Giants before going to prison in 2008.

But is Plaxico's return the biggest moment in the Jets / Giants history? Here are the top five moments of this heated preseason rivalry.

Feedback is welcome.

5. Firemen Ed Fights Giants Fan in First Game at New Meadowlands

The opening of the $1.6 billion New Meadowlands Stadium was a good one as the Jets and Giants faced off in August 2010.

The argument of who the stadium belongs to has gone on for decades ever since the Jets moved into Giants Stadium in 1984. Although both teams own an equal amount of Metlife Field, many Giants fans believe it to be theirs. Jets fans have countered this argument, and that fight has increased in the past few years under Rex Ryan.

One of the best moments occurred before kickoff of the new stadium's first game. The Jets were named the official home team of the game, which meant Firemen Ed would be in attendance to get the fans pumped up. However, some Giants fans didn't take kindly to the idea.

One intoxicated Giants fan decided to heckle Firemen Ed, who proceed to push him down on national television. The shove eventually led to assault charges being filed. But all in all, it really led to a media frenzy in New York.

For up close video of the incident, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDmOXXvThcw

4. Osi Umenyiora Hurts Knee, Misses Entire Season

The Giants would lose another star player exactly 10 years after losing Jason Sehorn, this time in the form of defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

Umenyiora was the team's number one defensive end going into the 2008 season after Hall of Fame DE Michael Strahan announced his retirement. During the second quarter of their 10-7 preseason loss to the Jets, Umenyiora laid on his back in the middle of the field and had to be carted off the field.

At first, the team believed the injury wouldn't be serious because the initial MRIs came up negative. However, the following day's tests showed a torn lateral meniscus cartilage in Umenyiora's knee and forced him to have season-ending surgery.

The Giants did go 12-4 that season and made the playoffs but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles. Justin Tuck had his breakout season with 12.5 sacks, but the injury ultimately led the Giants to lose Mathias Kiwanuka to free agency and, perhaps, led to this year's trade drama.

Umenyiora was considered to be the next Strahan in New York, but the injury allowed Tuck and Kiwanuka to emerge and caused the Giants to draft Jason Pierre-Paul, who is also on the rise.

3. Jason Sehorn Injures Knee, Lost for Season

During the opening kickoff of the Jets and Giants match-up in 1998, Giants defensive back Jason Sehorn blew out his knee and was lost for the rest of the season.

Sehorn, who was coming off a six interception season with the Giants in 1997, was considered to be one of the NFC's top corners of the time. He was the Giants No. 1 corner going into the 1998 season, and many considered the Giants to contend with their solid defense.

Sehorn ultimately tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, ultimately changing the way he played the game forever. Although he played five more seasons with the Giants and Rams, he never had more then three interceptions in a season and only played 16 games one more time in his career.

The Giants were left with a huge hole at cornerback, and the team finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The Jets went on to finish 12-4 before losing in the AFC Championship game.

2. Eli Manning Gets Hit by Two Defenders, Busts Open Head

One of the most iconic photos from this Jets Giants rivalry came last season as well, when Giants QB Eli Manning was leveled by Calvin Pace.

The blindside sack caused Manning to lose his helmet, which led to him hitting his head on someone else's helmet and opening up his forehead.

The video above shows Manning being helped off the field with a towel covering the blood, which was vividly dripping on ESPN. The photos from the New York papers were even worse then the video, and the hit was a model for how Rex Ryan wanted his defense to play in 2010.

Eli Manning didn't miss any regular season time, but the hit itself makes this the No. 2 moment in the team's preseason history.

1. Chad Pennington Fractures Hand, Misses Teams First Five Games in 2003

The team's No. 1 moment deals with, of course, Chad Pennington.

Pennington was known throughout his career to be injury prone, and it all began in his first season as the Jets starting quarterback in 2003.

Pennington had led the Jets to the playoffs in 2002 after replacing Vinny Testarverde as the team's starting QB. He passed for more than 3,000 yards and had a team record quarterback rating of 104.2, but most importantly, led the Jets to a 41-0 playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts.

He was dawned the Opening Day starter for the Jets in 2003, but he was hit by Giants LB Brandon Short during the team's preseason game and fractured his hand. However, because the injury was on his non-throwing hand. Pennington would only have to miss six weeks of the regular season.

This was the worst case scenario for the team anyway. The Jets started the year 1-4, and although Pennington returned later that year, the Jets finished the year 6-10 and missed the playoffs.

This injury started not only a long list for Chad Pennington but was considered to be one of the biggest injuries in the Jets Giants rivalry.

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