Giants 17, Chiefs 0

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ Herm Edwards could be in for another long season _ this time with the Kansas City Chiefs. <br/><br/>After leaving the New York Jets earlier this year to take the Chiefs'

Friday, August 18th 2006, 8:53 am

By: News On 6

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ Herm Edwards could be in for another long season _ this time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

After leaving the New York Jets earlier this year to take the Chiefs' job, Edwards' new team is struggling through the preseason. Edwards is hoping to help the Chiefs find a way to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

The New York Giants spoiled Edwards' return to Giants Stadium and showed the Chiefs how a division winner plays, posting 17-0 victory Thursday night.

``We've got to have better focus as a football team,'' Edwards said. ``Right now, we're a team _ in my estimation _ living off our laurels. We're living off what people are predicting us to be. Us thinking that we're a good football team, we haven't played like that yet.''

Eli Manning threw a touchdown pass and set up another as the Giants (2-0) did just about anything they wanted in outgaining the Chiefs 309-111 while holding the ball for more than 37 minutes.

``There were no injuries and we were productive,'' linebacker LaVar Arrington said after his first game with the Giants. ``That's what you want to do. We got a shutout and put some points on the board. It's something to build on.''

If the game showed anything, it was that the Giants have the talent to repeat in the NFC East and that the Chiefs (0-2) need to get better in a hurry.

Kansas City got into Giants territory once in the game, with starter Trent Green (4-of-6 for 32 yards) getting it to the New York 40 on the second series.

``Is it time to panic?'' Green asked. ``No, but I definitely think there has to be much more of a sense of urgency on the starters part.''

Edwards, who led the Jets to three playoff appearances in five years, agrees.

``I flat-out told the guys it wasn't a good job coaching, and you just can't play like that against a team that went to the playoffs last year,'' he said. ``We have to hurry up and rally now.''

The Chiefs have struggled on defense in recent years, something Edwards vowed to improve. It hasn't happened yet.

Manning shredded Kansas City for touchdowns on two of the first three drives, capping the first drive with a 5-yard toss to Amani Toomer and handing off to Brandon Jacobs for a 1-yard plunge on the third series.

The other drive probably would have resulted in points if Jeremy Shockey and Tim Carter hadn't been hit with consecutive holding penalties in Chiefs territory.

``We came out here and played very well,'' Manning said. ``The defense did a great job of getting us good field possession on the first series and we were able to run the ball, throw the ball and convert third downs.''

Manning finished 11-of-14 for 80 yards, playing for the first time this preseason with all 11 starters from the offense that scored 422 points last season. He spread the ball around, hitting Toomer, Plaxico Burress and Carter with two passes each. Tiki Barber, appearing for the first time, ran five times for 22 yards and caught a pass for nine more.

Shockey, who missed the preseason opener with a concussion, caught one pass for 10 yards and cleared out the middle on the short touchdown pass to Toomer.

In the second-quarter drive, Manning used a no-huddle offense to move New York 52 yards in eight plays without all starters in. Jacobs had a 14-yard run on the second play of the drive in which the Giants had only one third-down play: Jacobs' touchdown run.

The game also marked the return of quarterback Rob Johnson to NFL action for the first time since December 2003. He missed the last two seasons with an elbow injury that required surgery.

The 33-year-old Johnson, who the Giants signed in May, replaced Manning midway through the second quarter and played five series, completing seven of 14 passes for 62 yards. The 10-year veteran put up points on his last drive, taking New York 65 yards for a 31-yard field goal by Jay Feely on the final play of the third quarter.

``When you're comfortable, the game slows down,'' Johnson said. ``Right now, it was faster than I wanted it to be, and I'm better than that. Next time, I'll handle it better.''

The most serious injury was a sprained knee sustained by Giants starting center Shaun O'Hara. He'll have an MRI on Friday, but he wasn't concerned.

``I'll be back working at Albany,'' O'Hara said, referring to the team's training camp site.