“He made it look simple,” Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said of the play. “It’s not. To get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands and get to full speed in a couple of steps, that’s something.”  On that play, Umenyiora was credited with a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown. Antonio Pierce, the middle linebacker, was one of several Giants who spoke of that play in awe.  “That’s a lot of production right there,” Pierce said. “I don’t think I have seen a guy get all four on one play. It was perfect. It was textbook. It will definitely be on somebody’s coaching tape.”  Eli Manning, the Giants’ quarterback, called it “a big-time play.” Aaron Ross, the rookie cornerback, called it “a perfect dream.” Fred Robbins, a defensive tackle, said: “That is the whole nine yards right there. It definitely boosted our morale.”  Umenyiora, in his fifth pro season, was born in London of Nigerian parents and spent his first seven years there. He has led the Giants in sacks the previous three seasons — 7 in 2004, 14 ½ in 2005 and 6 in 2006 — and he leads this year with 8.  He likes this Giants team, which has won five consecutive games.  “We’re a confident team,” he said. “The more we play, the better we get, even though we made a lot of mistakes.”  There was no mistake in attacking Dilfer.  The 49ers started him because Alex Smith was recovering from a separated throwing shoulder. He was listed as the third quarterback Sunday. Last week, Coughlin said of Smith: “You have a very athletic guy that does an outstanding job of moving around. He certainly makes plays with his feet.”  The Giants learned only Thursday that Dilfer would start, but the 49ers indicated that Smith would be available. After the game, 49ers Coach Mike Nolan said he thought about putting in Smith.  “It just crossed my mind because Dilfer was getting hit,” Nolan said, “but I didn’t want the other guy to get hit as well.”  Whenever the Giants faced a passing situation, they went to a dime defense, using six defensive backs. Up front, they used four nominal defensive ends: Umenyiora, Strahan, the backup Justin Tuck and linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, a defensive end until this season. As Pierce said, “That creates a pass-rush mentality.”  After the game, Dilfer spoke well of Umenyiora.  “He is very fast,” Dilfer said. “People talk about team speed, and that is one of the advantages with a guy like that. A lot of teams run that pressure, and the end never gets to you in three steps. He did, obviously.”  Coughlin said generously, “Dilfer hung in and did an admirable job.”  The Giants’ defense played more admirably.  “I get fired up on the sideline,” Manning said. “We get excited. That’s what it’s all about. You keep everybody happy.”  The Giants’ defense seems to become more confident by the game.  “It’s not cockiness or swagger,” Strahan said. “I call it fun.”
On an afternoon when the Giants’ defense had six sacks, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and five passes knocked down, Osi  Umenyiora finished with the lion’s share.