Giants vs. Panthers: 5 Things to Watch During NFL Preseason Week 1

The New York Giants kick off their 2011 season with a mid-August preseason bout in Carolina against the hometown Panthers.

It will be the first actual football game Giants fans have seen their team in since the 2010 season ended so bitterly.

Despite a solid 10-6 record, a good defense and Eli Manning cracking the 30 touchdown plateau for the first time in his career, the season ended in frustration. New York missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

So this year's first preseason game is, however small, the initial step towards banishing the disappointing memory of 2010.

Here are five things to watch for in the game.

5. Tyler Sash, Rookie Safety

The former Iowa Hawkeye has been impressive in camp and is winning fans all over the place.

During an indoor practice last Saturday, he drew applause from his defensive teammates when he knocked rookie fullback Henry Hynoski backwards and onto the ground, even though he's significantly smaller than Hynoski.

And Giants reporters are also singing his praises.

So it will be interesting to see how Sash, who skipped his senior year to go pro, adjusts in his first game since getting picked in the sixth round by the Giants.

No. 4: Tight Ends

Obviously, the loss of Kevin Boss has already been a tremendous one. 

No single player on the Giants roster can adequately replace Boss in all facets of the game.

Still, it'll be interesting to see not only who lines up at tight end, but what plays they call in response to the personnel shift.

No. 3: Mathias Kiwanuka, Defensive End/Linebacker

I will personally be fascinated to see where Kiwanuka lines up because of all the things we've heard this preseason.

Apparently, Kiwanuka will be used exclusively as a linebacker, yet on the official Giants depth chart, he was shown to be a second string defensive end.

That he is versatile makes him as valuable as he will be dangerous. Provided, of course, he can stay healthy.

No. 2: Linebackers

Unlike the tight end situation, the fun battle here will not necessarily be over the starting position. It will be more of a battle to see who can fill the void as a backup.

Can former BC standout Mark Herzlich make the team? What about Adrian Tracy or Clint Sintim or Kenny Ingram or even Greg Jones?

They all will hopefully get their chance to play against Cam Newton in his debut (which should help them acclimate not only to the speed of the NFL, but Mike Vick's speed, which they'll obviously see in the not-too-distant future).

No. 1: Replacing Steve Smith

To me, this is the most compelling competition the Giants have going right now. There are roughly 12 wide receivers all competing for no more than six spots.

Steve Smith's sudden departure has been, and will continue to be, a seriously damaging body blow to the Giants. But it will not be a fatal one.

Smith was a great receiver because he had a knack for finding the holes in a zone. Judging from what I saw at Giants training camp, other receivers have that gift too.

Look for players like Victor Cruz and Jerrel Jernigan to state their case.