Kiwanuka getting acclimated again to defensive end

Aug 29, 2008 - 5:19 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Mathias Kiwanuka admitted that he's slowly getting used to the change of scenery - even if he's been there before.

Shifting from linebacker to defensive end to replace injured Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, Kiwanuka recorded a sack in the New York Giants' 19-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday, the preseason finale for both teams.

"Basically, I felt good," said Kiwanuka, who was a first-round draft choice out of Boston College as an end two years ago, but played strongside linebacker last year.

"I'm glad the change came early enough in preseason so that I could get acclimated to the position and get enough reps going into the regular season. I have 100 percent confidence that I will get the job done this year. It wasn't 100 percent for me. I know I'm not where I need to be. I know I'm not where I can be. I'm not playing up to my potential yet. But for having one week of practice with my hand in the dirt, I felt good about it."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was pleased with the early results - especially his sack of Patriots third-string quarterback Matt Gutierrez in the first quarter.

"We had 15 snaps scheduled so I think he was right on. He did have a nice play on one particular sack," Coughlin said. "The whole purpose was to get him some feel and some playing time there, particularly with the runs coming at him on first and second down."

Kiwanuka, 25, has recorded 8 1/2 sacks, 99 tackles and two interceptions in two seasons.

Umenyiora, who led the Giants with 13 sacks in 2007, is expected to miss the entire season. He underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, suffered during Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets.

The 27-year-old Umenyiora appeared in all 16 games last season and was the top pass rusher on a defensive line that helped spur the Giants to an improbable title run.

A two-time Pro Bowler and an All Pro in 2005, Umenyiora has 41 1/2 sacks in 72 career games with the Giants.