Giants take first preseason game against Carolina

It's always a positive when your top rookies perform well in training camp and in the preaseason. But it's extra special when someone like Tommie Hill, an undrafted free-agent from Colorado State exceeds expectations. The 23 year old San Diego native did just that last night, returning a fumble 18 yards for the game-winning touchdown as time expired in regulation in the Giants' 24-17 preseason victory over the Panthers.

Defensive tackle Leger Douzable knocked the ball out of Panthers quarterback Hunter Cantwell's arm as he pulled back to make a throw. Carolina was attempting to run a trick play instead of kneeling on the ball. Had they, the game would have went into overtime. But the end result puts the Giants at 1-0 in the preseason.

While the win is nice, what I look for in preseason games is rythm - from both the offense and the defense. The Giants did exactly that, moving the ball efficiently on offense, and . "We did a good job," quarterback Eli Manning said after the game. "We ran the ball really well, hit a couple passes and we got a touchdown. That is always the goal."

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who had 52 total yards and a touchdown on seven touches was the star of the night. His 19 yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter put the Giants up 7-0.

Eli Manning threw only three passes, two of which he completed. The first was a 13-yard dump-off to Brandon Jacobs on the offense's second drive. Jacobs followed that play with a 22-yard run off the left side behind a big lead block from Madison Hedgecock.How Bradshaw performs this season will be critical to the Giants, who last year rode dual 1,000-yard seasons from Jacobs and Ward to the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Giants also have Danny Ware -- who sprinted for a 36-yard touchdown on a short pass from Carr late in the second quarter. Jacobs predicted the Giants will again have the league's top ground game, but Bradshaw, who was limited to 67 carries for 355 yards in 2008, will have to carry a much larger workload this fall.

The Giants return to Albany for practice Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for their next game against the Bears on Saturday

Giants notes:

• WR Steve Smith, CBs Corey Webster (hip) and Aaron Ross (leg), OL Rich Seubert (shoulder) and Chris Snee (leg), DTs Chris Canty (hamstring), Fred Robbins (knee) and Rocky Bernard (hamstring/NFL), LB Michael Boley (hip/PUP) sat out Monday's game -- along with RB Andre Brown, who will miss the season with a ruptured Achilles. Seubert and Snee, who were replaced by Tutan Reyes and Kevin Boothe, were the only two surprises. Sinorice Moss started in place of Smith.
• I thought Mario Manningham looked good in his brief time returning punts. With Bradhsaw the number two running back, Tom Coughlin will be looking for someone to return kicks, and maybe Manningham can fill that role.
• David Carr looked good, going 6/10 for 74 yards and one touchdown. I feel very comfortable with him as the Giants number two quarterback.
• While Tommie Hill was the defensive star of the night, it was great to see pro-bowler Osi Umenyiora back on the field and playing well. Osi pro bowl tackle Jordan Gross to record a sack and force a fumble when he got a piece of Jake Delhomme as he got ready to make a throw.
• Click here for the boxscore from last night's game.

(Photos Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)