This had to be one of the ugliest, nastiest, meanest incidents that I’ve seen in a preseason game.

Now, with certainty, the preseason isn’t void of its share of season-ending injuries, big hitters, and spectacular plays.  Let’s face it – there are a ton of players who are trying to make an impression…trying to make the team.

But after experiencing the outcome of his good-hearted attempt to take advantage of a mismatch on the outside, the Giants’ Eli Manning has to be wishing that he just stuck to the original play call.

The play call was for a power run up the middle by crushing running back Brandon Jacobs.  Nine times out of ten a short yardage gain is automatic for the back who looks like a defensive end.  The Giants were on the verge of scoring, with the ball beingsnapped at the visitor’s 5-yard line.  It was third and short (about a yard or maybe less).  But Eli tried to change the play on the fly.  Jacobs, however, did not get the message.  The back started his approach to receive the handoff and, in the process, bumped Manning – who was preparing to deliver a pass (presumably a fade) to 6’6″ wide receiver Ramses Barden on his right.

Manning’s helmet was slightly loosened.  And while Eli was trying to regain his footing and locate the football (which was jarred loose on his collision with Jacobs), he was absolutely drilled from the weak side by Jets’ linebacker Calvin Pace.

Manning was rocked forward by the hit, which knocked his helmet completely off and propelled him forward into Jets’ strong safety Jim Leonhard’s facemask…opening up an enormous gash on his forehead which required twelve stitches to close.

For Manning, the unfortunate part about this incident is that he had to take the blame…and the pain.

Oh, and what about the rest of the game?

It was a seemingly nondescript 31-16 win by the Giants. 

But the play of unheralded wide receiver Victor Cruz was definitely worth describing.  The UMass product finished with 6 catches for 145 yards and three – that’s right – three touchdowns.  He also produced the play of the night with a left-handed grab of a pass down the left sideline that he took upfield for a 64-yard score.

The Jets – with the star-studded roster – seem to need a bit more time to gel.  Head coach Rex Ryan is duly noted for bringing defensive intensity to his teams, but something was missing last night.  Something other than the obvious vacancy of Derelle Revis, that is.  Fortuntely, there’s plenty of time to correct the ship – and many more episodes of “Hard Knocks” left.