Photography by NEIL MILLER

Running Back DJ Ware tweeted this today: THANK U 2 my fans ur well wishes r overwhelming will miss u all an my team Im not done I will b playing in NFL going BIG! just not here

DJ Ware played for the Giants from 2007 to 2011. He has been primarily a third-down back. His concussion issues have limited his playing time.

Aug 10, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks for a receiver during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

So the first preseason game of the 2012 NY Giants campaign is over and it wasn’t the prettiest ending to a game. I know it’s preseason and the games don’t count, but you have to think Coughlin is probably not thrilled to give up such a big lead, even if it was the back ups who gave it up. But let’s look at the bright spots.

The new TE Martellus Bennett looked very good. He made some tough catches Including a 12 yd TD over the middle and showed he may be able to be the piece the offense was looking for. Although he needs to keep it up and still has more to prove.

There were some good moments from the WR’s as the coaches look to solidify the third wideout spot. Rueban Randle showed he is talented with two catches for 27 yds including a TD and could be the answer, but he is a rookie and will most likely have some growing pains. I thought Ramses Barden showed a lot of promise and a few big blocks down field.

The biggest bright spot was in the running game. The spot to back up Bradshaw is being tightly contested. Rookie RB David Wilson looked very good and lead the team in rushing on 7 rushes for 43 yds and had a nice catch and run in the final possession. Both DJ Ware and Andre Brown ran the ball hard and had a combined 12 rushes for 55 yds. I look forward to watching this battle throughout the rest of camp and should make all three better.

The starting Defense looked dominating as it should. They had a few sacks and some forced fumbles. The secondary looked extremely good and I even saw a few CB blitzes, one for a sack by Hosley, thats something the D had been lacking in recent years. Mark Herzlich looked very good and he will add depth at ILB and could help in pass coverage over the middle.

Special teams was a big problem with both Hosley and Jerrigan muffing a punt. Considering how important ball security is I believe this area will get a lot of attention and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some new faces back there fielding punts.

After the first look it appears that the areas of preseason concern may have been addressed, but it is still to early to tell. And there is still a lot of work to do for the Giants to make it back to the promised land.

Aug 2, 2010; Albany, NY, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell holds up a play card for his players during training camp in Albany. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

As OTA’s get started and training camp right around the corner, what are the keys to watch for this season? For the Giants to get a playoff birth and make another run at the title they will need to fill the holes of outgoing players and upgrade at a few other areas.

1. Who will be the Victor Cruz of 2012? When Steve Smith departing last offseason there was a huge question mark at the WR position. Thankfully out of virtually no where Cruz emerged and had a monster season finishing behind only Calvin Johnson in recieving yards in the NFC.  With Mario Manningham gone to the left coast and now a question mark on Hakeem Nicks season the WR position has yet again become a problem area. So, who will step up? As of now we have Cruz, Domenik Hixon coming off injury, and rookie Rueban Randle as the likely top 3. After that it’s  Ramses Bardan and Jerrel Jernigan both of which have yet to show any promise. Hopefully Nicks can return to form by week 4 or 5.

2. The linebacker position seems to be the opposite of last year at this time. With Chase Blackburn being re-signed and emerging as a force in the middle and the signing of Keith Rivers from Cincinnati really will solidify the LB corp with Boley and Kiwi flipping between LB and End. And the experience that Williams, Jones and Herzlich gained last year filling in now makes this a strength and no longer the weak link of the defense.

3. The running game had an extremely lack luster year in 2011. Being non existent for most of the year only emerging in the latter part of the regular season and the playoffs, mainly due to the respect for Eli and fear of the big play, needs to be better. With Jacobs joining Manningham in SF and DJ Ware and Da’rel Scott showing very little last season it was clear that Bradshaw would need help. The Giants turned to the Draft and picked David Wilson. With Bradshaw always fighting injuries from his running style and Wilson being a rookie it would appear the G-Men will probably go to a 3 headed running attack with Bradshaw, Ware and Wilson. But this area will be a question with only 1 back That is battle tested.

4. The Offensive Line had an up and down year in 2011, giving good protection in the passing game and poor run blocking. The one constant on the line has been and will be Chris Snee at right guard. With Kareem McKenzie not being re-signed mean that Will Beatty and James Brewer fighting for right tackle, off season signing Sean Locklear with provide depth. The left side appears it will be David Diehl at LT and Kevin Boothe and Mitch Petreus battling for RG. Petreus would add needed toughness and help for the running game. David Baas had a rough start, but seemed to settle in at the center position nicely.

These questions should be answered by the end of training camp and will be key areas that will need to be solid for the Giants to make another run to the playoffs and possible championship.

The game, although sloppy, was extremely entertaining in both the defense and offense side of the ball. Eli Manning had a pair of picks, but also had some spectacular throws that proved his elite status thus more. Alex Smith, the former 1st overall pick, did his best to shush the critics on his way to his 8th win of the season.

After the 27-20 loss many names started to get thrown around as to who was at fault. Manningham could have had a spectacular grab in the end zone had he laid out more. Manning had a costly interception on the drive before that set up the game winning drive. Diehl was not successful in covering Justin Smith that led to the turnover on downs, and the game ending.

These 3 man do take a share of blame for the loss, but the man that should be looked at more than anyone is Kevin Gilbride. His lack of creativity on the offensive side of the ball, and his need to run on almost every 2nd down is a great cause of concern. If a draw play was an actual person, I am pretty sure Kevin Gilbride would be married to it.

On the last drive of the game, Manningmanaged to convert 2 out of 3 desperation 4th down conversions. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Just say No to Gilbride

While in striking distance of the redzone and what seemed to be another Eli Manning 4th quarter comeback, Gilbride did the opposite of his gameplan — He called a passing play on 2nd down. The ball went through Manningham’s hands, and Gilbrides attempt to look like a hero failed. The Giants were only 2 yards away from securing a 1st down, so wouldnt that be the perfect time to run it? Gilbride defies logic, goes for it, and fails. Then to make matters worse he runs it up the gut with DJ Ware instead of Brandon Jacobs on 3rd down and he comes up with no gain.

Incomplete pass, Turnover on Downs, Game over.

Now do not get me wrong, the whole team is at fault for the loss. A loss is the culmination of things not going right. But if you were watching the game or any game for that matter  involving the Giants, then you would see that Gilbride needs to be canned. Plain and simple.

 I don’t blame Buddy Ryan for punching him on the sideline in the Houston Oilers days. Lord knows I would.

For more news, updates, and analysis follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/erobertsny