31.   But change has been painful throughout the exhibition season.

32.   But as the real players opened an abbreviated exhibition season Thursday, the biggest question mark was the fans.

33.   But Green carried the ball only six times during the exhibition season and seemed ready to be discarded from the roster.

34.   But New England showed throughout the exhibition season that its depth is better than last season.

35.   But the injury jinx dogging Giants running backs in training camp continued into the exhibition season when Bennett left the game early in the third quarter with a concussion.

36.   But when he scored three goals during the exhibition season, the club was excited.

37.   But the start of the exhibition season is another matter.

38.   But the way Hirsch has played during the exhibition season, the future may be arriving sooner rather than later.

39.   But this is also the next-to-last game of the exhibition season, traditionally a time when business gets in the way of sport.

40.   Carroll thought going through an exhibition season with no incidents would be helpful to team unity and chemistry.