By ERNIE PALLADINO
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tom Coughlin made the overriding decision of the preseason Sunday when he named Kurt Warner as his regular season starting quarterback.

Let the guessing games begin.

The guesses, of course, pertain to when the New York Giants ultimately will turn the page to draft trophy Eli Manning. Coughlin refused to entertain those questions, saying, "We give Kurt the ball and say, 'Kurt, let's go win.'"

But the question now becomes how long a leash an impatient Coughlin will give Kerry Collins' official successor. The coach said Sunday that he hopes he'll have chances at the ends of games to give Manning some experience. But the change from mop-up duty to real responsibility may depend on Warner's won-loss record.

A season heading southward could mean an earlier entrance for Manning, while consistent winning could keep the Mississippi passer on the bench until next season.

The bye week, generally a line of demarcation for lineup changes, comes after Game 5 in Dallas.

But Coughlin, Warner and Manning were not thinking about those things Sunday. For now, the 33-year-old Warner is the starter. Manning will serve as primary backup.

"There's some excitement," Warner said. "Goal No. 1 was to be a starter and help win a championship, but there's still a lot of work to be done, to correct the mistakes I've been making and hone in on the responsibility of the role of quarterbacking the Giants."

Coughlin didn't even take a day to name Warner his starter after telling the media Saturday he might put off a final decision until after Thursday's preseason finale against Baltimore. The coach had held a summer-long exercise in creative tension, keeping both quarterbacks guessing as he led what he termed an open competition.

Coughlin continued to proclaim it an even fight, but Friday's 4-for-14, 20-yard outing with two interceptions and a lost fumble certainly worked against Manning. Warner went 9-of-11 for 104 yards with no interceptions and two sacks. Warner also impressed Coughlin with how he eluded two blitzes with a quick dumpoff to Tiki Barber and a fast adjustment to Amani Toomer.

"I thought he was real sharp, real quick," Coughlin said. "I thought he made a couple of really outstanding plays above the Xs and Os. I thought he handled the offense well. He was in and out of the huddle well. And he was in good control, which he and Eli were throughout camp."

Though Coughlin said Friday's disaster was only "part of the puzzle," Manning thought it might have been a major factor.

"It didn't surprise me," Manning said. "After the way I played this past week, I've just got to go out and do what I have to do. I wasn't upset. I need to go out and improve myself. I still have a lot to learn."

Manning, who now becomes a backup for the first time since his freshman year at Ole Miss, said he received a fair chance to win a camp-long competition that included a start against Carolina. And he hadn't given up on the idea of getting substantive action this season.

"You don't know how a season will go," Manning said. "I don't know if I'll get playing time or not. I've got to go and prepare each week like I'm going to play. Watch Kurt play and take mental reps.

"I have no idea. All I can do is worry about going out to practice every day, making smart decisions, and learning. If my name gets called, just go out and do my job."

Installing Warner now gives the veteran a full 14 days to prepare for the Sept. 12 opener in Philadelphia. Eagles defensive mastermind Jim Johnson undoubtedly has a full array of blitzes, disguised coverages, and traditional pass rushes waiting for him.

He could take a beating, and there may be nothing Coughlin can do about it. The coach was clearly agitated over some veterans, believed to include left tackle Luke Petitgout, who were eaten up by the New York Jets' defensive front.

Warner's veteran experience could be the only thing standing between a sack and an effective passing game.

"The offensive line has to play better," Coughlin said, adding that new tackles Brandon Winey and Solomon Page will get extended looks against Baltimore. "Guys got to play. Guys here for a specific reason, who are paid as starters, have to play like starters.

"I'm not displeased with all of them, but with some of them I'm very displeased. A lot of times, what they're taught in practice goes out the window when they get on the field."

Coughlin's choice came as no surprise to some of his teammates.

"It's always good to have an experienced guy in there. Now we can move forward with this," Barber said.

"I always figured it'd be Kurt," Petitgout said. "He's a veteran, and that gave him such a jump on Eli. Just let Eli watch and learn and get a feel for the speed of the NFL for now."

It's all Warner now. For how long is anybody's guess.

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