FanHouse TrentCole

As we have done since the FanHouse began, I'll be taking a look every week at some aspect of line play. You can read more features in the series here. Check back every Thursday for a new Between The Lines.

When the Redskins signed defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to the largest free agent deal in NFL history, the contract came with a lot of expectations. One game into his Redskins' career, there are already columns asking, is that all there is?

Haynesworth had four tackles against the Giants. He had no quarterback hurries and no sacks as the Redskins lost 23-17.

Ben Roethlisberger is 27 years old, has two Super Bowl rings, and is the starting quarterback for the league's most popular team. There are worse ways to go through life. Of course, with fame comes the hassles of dealing with crackpots.

There used to be a time when stalkers had to do some legwork, literally. John Hinckley Jr. and Margaret Mary Ray come to mind. Now, thanks to the series of tubes that has made it easier for all of us -- save Ted Stevens, perhaps -- to communicate, those people with nothing better to do than harass the rich and famous, can do so from home.

Philadelphia did get one up on New York today, but that was no thanks to the Eagles. While the Phillies gave their fans something to cheer about this afternoon, the Eagles took all the fun out of it tonight.

Donovan McNabb was sacked twelve -- that's right, twelve -- times tonight, while completing only 15 of 31 passes for 138 yards. After dominating the Lions last week, this performance was a dramatic and demoralizing turnaround for Philadelphia. Instead of moving to 2-2 and staying in the NFC East race, they fall to 1-3 and find themselves in a dire situation.

Meanwhile, for the Giants, they win their second consecutive game and essentially erase any early season doubt; especially defensively. Forget Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Derrick Ward for a moment. The last six quarters of New York football have been all about a dominating defense and a surprising 180.

It's hard to explain just how good the Giants defense played this evening, so rather than attempt it, I'll just throw out the records that were tied or broken tonight.

1 - Michael Strahan's single sack was enough to break Lawrence Taylors all-time Giants record.
5 - The number of sacks Trent Cole had coming into tonight's game, which also led the league.
6 - The number of sacks Osi Umenyiora had this evening -- breaking the Giants all-time record. (One short of the NFL record.)
12 - The number of sacks the Giants collected as a team tonight, breaking an all-time Giants record and tying an all-time NFL record.

Giants fans, forget everything else that happened for now; we'll analyze it all week. Instead, just bask in the glow of Giants defensive greatness. And Philly fans, keep your chins up and put on your Phillies hats.

Final Score: Giants 16 - Eagles 3