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Brady watches, Manning has cameo as Patriots top Giants

Aug 31, 2007 - 2:41 AM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - Tom Brady got the night off but Eli Manning got one more tune-up.

In a game that traditionally features no starters and reserves battling for final roster spots before next weekend's season opener, the New England Patriots (2-2) beat the New York Giants (1-3), 27-20, on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium in the final preseason game for both teams.

Nearly all of New England's entire first-team offense did not play a single down, including quarterback and new father Brady, who won't play until September 9 when the Patriots open their season in the Meadowlands against the New York Jets.

Brady's backup Matt Cassel led New England on two first-half scoring drives. He completed 10-of-14 passes for 99 yards. Heath Evans, the team's blocking back, powered in from 1 yard for a touchdown that put New England up, 10-7 in the second quarter.

While the Patriots did not start a single regular on offense, the Giants did give Manning one final series to get ready for their season opener at Dallas on September 9.

The Giants' starting signal-caller played only the opening series and was 5-of-8 for 58 yards. Four of those completions went to star tight end Jeremy Shockey, who finished with 47 yards receiving and also came out after the first series.

Brandon Jacobs plowed in from the 1 on fourth down for a 7-0 lead.

Jared Lorenzen had a long night serving as Manning's replacement. The Giants' backup was sacked seven times and completed 10-of-16 passes for only 53 yards. Former Boston College quarterback and New England native Tim Hasselbeck and Anthony Wright finished up for the Giants.

Looking to secure his place among those backing up Brady, 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde entered late in the second quarter before leading the Patriots on a six-play, 70-yard third-quarter scoring drive, capped off with a 1-yard plunge by Quinton Smith. Testaverde finished 7-of-11 for 99 yards and an interception.

The two teams, who will meet in the regular season's final weekend on December 29 at Giants Stadium, showed only basic offensive and defensive packages.

Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, who ended a lengthy holdout and signed a one-year contract this week, did not play.

The only significant injury reported from either sideline came in the first quarter when Oscar Lua, competing for one of the final linebacker spots on New England's roster, came out with a leg injury. The undrafted rookie from Southern California did not return.