Keith Rivers: Rivers had a fabulous first game as a Giant. No one knew what we would be getting out of Rivers when the Giants traded away a 5th-round draft pick for him this offseason, but he has the potential to be a steal if he keeps playing like he did last night. Rivers had 7 tackles, second most on the team, and was around the ball on practically every snap that he played. If he continues to play that well, the Giants’ linebacking situation becomes very sturdy.

Domenik Hixon: One of the biggest questions coming into this year was how the Giants were going to replace Mario Manningham, who left as a free agent to sign with San Francisco. Judging by last night, we may not miss him much. Coming off a second torn ACL in 15 months, Hixon had 3 catches for 55 yards, including a tremendous 39-yard grab to set up the Giants’ first touchdown. He had the second most receiving yards on the team, behind Victor Cruz’s 58, and was one of the few bright spots on an offense that struggled for most of the night.

Steve Weatherford: The punting game is never sexy, but last year’s transition from Matt Dodge to Steve Weatherford may have been the single biggest positional upgrade the Giants made from the year before. Last night, Weatherford was excellent as usual, punting four times for an average of 50.3 yards, including one punt that was downed inside the 20 yard line and another that should have been, but the coverage team couldn’t keep the ball from rolling into the end zone after it bounced perfectly at the one yard line.

The biggest silver linings are that this was only one game in a long season, and that the Giants easily could have won with a few breaks on key plays. The areas that failed the Giants were the same ones we figured would be issues coming into the season – the running game and the secondary. A lucky win would have glossed over those problems and created the illusion that nothing was wrong, but a loss to a division rival on a national stage ensures that no one will be overconfident heading into next week. Hopefully, the results will be better.

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 Cincinnati Bengals have traded linebacker Keith Rivers to the New York Giants in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft, according to NFL Network.”

Rivers was the ninth overall pick in the 2008 draft, but injuries have kept him from fulfilling his potential. He missed 13 games during his first three seasons, and missed all of last season because of a wrist injury. The Bengals deemed Rivers expendable after re-signing Manny Lawson earlier this month.

Rivers plays outside linebacker, and the Giants hope he will add depth and flexibility to their linebacker corps. Adding Rivers may allow the Giants to move Michael Boley from outside linebacker to the middle.  Either way it adds veteran depth with great potential to the defense at the cost of a low round draft pick.  The Giants have two 4th round picks this year, so trading the 5th rounder really has no effect on their draft plans.

Welcome to the Super Bowl Champion New York Football Giants Keith.  We looK forward to watching you grow.