First, veteransSam Madison andReuben Droughns were asked to take pay cuts. Then they were told they weren’t dressing for Thursday night’s game.

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That was a small surprise when theGiants announced their eight inactive players for their season opener against theWashington Redskins. Madison lost his spot to veteran cornerbackR.W. McQuarters, and Droughns lost his spot to young running backDanny Ware.

Last week, both veterans were asked to take small pay cuts, possibly as a condition before they were guaranteed a spot on the Giants’ 53-man roster. Each player agreed to forego about $250,000 of his 2008 salary, with no offer of bonuses or incentives to earn it back.

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Those weren’t the only surprises, either.Dave Tollefson, who spent most of the summer as part of the Giants’ defensive line rotation, was inactive and replaced by recently signedJerome McDougle. Also out where cornerbackTerrell Thomas (hamstring), linebackerJonathan Goff (back), kickerLawrence Tynes (knee), rookie receiverMario Manningham and tackleAdam Koets.

CHECKING IN:WR Domenik Hixon (back) andRB Ahmad Bradshaw (calf), who were on the Giants’ injury report this week, were both in the lineup Thursday night, though neither played much. … For the Redskins,CB Shawn Springs (shin) did not play and was replaced by veteranFred Smoot.

GOOD COUNCIL: After having so much success with his Leadership Council last season,Tom Coughlin has decided to do it again. He has named 13 players to a committee that will meet regularly with him to discuss any issues that arise with the team.

“I’m doing it again because of the same reason I did it the first time – communication,” Coughlin said.

The 13 players on the council areDavid Diehl,Shaun O’Hara,Chris Snee,Eli Manning,Amani Toomer,Antonio Pierce,Mathias Kiwanuka,Osi Umenyiora,Justin Tuck,Jeff Feagles,Corey Webster,Fred Robbins andBrandon Jacobs.

REMEMBERING:Terri Upshaw, widow of the lateNFL Players Association bossGene Upshaw, participated in the coin toss Thursday night along with her three sons, Eugene Jr., Daniel and Justin. All the players wore a jersey patch that said “GU 63” (Upshaw’s number with theOakland Raiders) and they will wear it all season. A replica of the patch was also painted near midfield.