Mathias Kiwanuka: '... It Was a Dirty Play'

You might not have seen it if Thursday night's sloppy play in the second half lulled you to sleep or if you were running to the fridge to grab snacks for the McCain speech, but as the clock dwindled down on last night's game, Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels fell on DE>LB>DE Mathias Kiwanuka, being called for holding and leaving Kiwanuka on the ground clutching his ankle. Kiwanuka's fine in the medical sense. But he's not pleased with Samuels.

"Honestly, I thought it was a dirty play," Kiwanuka said. "There's no question about it, he was definitely beat. Instead of recovering or giving up or whatever options you have ... I don't think there's any place for that in the NFL."

Justin Tuck alluded to the fact that Samuels was aiming to injure Kiwanuka on the play, and Antonio Pierce defended Samuels intention -- protecting Jason Campbell -- while hinting at, and admonishing, Samuels' attempt to hurt Kiwanuka. Tom Coughlin said Samuels told him it wasn't intentional.

Losing Kiwanuka would have been a major blow and some ridiculously bad luck for the Giants, but he's feeling fine and is expected to play next week against St. Louis.

As Pierce noted, Kiwanuka's health is all that really matters in the issue, but you can bet the competition between he and Samuels will be a lot more intense when the teams meet again later this season.

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New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, right, talks on his headset as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stnads nearby during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is sacked by Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Wilson, right, with help from linebacker Jason Taylor, left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs runs for 16 yards as Washington Redskins' Andre Carter, right, closes in during the third quarter of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Jacobs rushed for 116 yards as the Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Washington Redskins Clinton Portis (front) is tackled by New York Giants R.W. McQuarters in the fourth quarter during their season opening NFL football game in East Rutherford, September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

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Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants' Eli Manning looks for a receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants' John Carney (5) kicks a field goal as Jeff Feagles holds during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Carney kicked three field goals as the Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell reacts after the Redskins were assessed a false-start penalty during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn, center, looks up during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. The Giants beat the Redskins 16-7. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (C) is sacked by Washington Redskins Jason Taylor (L), Chris Wilson (C, rear) and Lorenzo Alexander (R) in the fourth quarter during their season opening NFL football game in East Rutherford, September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

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