Not quite, but Eli Manning yesterday did offer up something of a guarantee when he spoke at the Giants' annual Kickoff Luncheon in Manhattan.

"I'm not big into making predictions and saying what you don't know is going to happen, but there are a couple things that I know that will happen," Manning said of the upcoming season.

"The Giants are going to be the most prepared team in the NFL.

"The second part is, no other team will give a greater effort than the New York Giants , and that's because this team has more players that want to win."

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This figures to be a busy night for rookie left tackle Will Beatty. David Diehl will miss the first game of his career - at any level - because of patella tendinitis. Backup tackle Guy Whimper (hip) is not expected to play, thinning out the position and likely forcing Beatty into the starting lineup in the preseason finale against the Patriots.

Guard Kevin Boothe, who started the first two preseason games at right guard in place of Chris Snee, will also be used some at tackle.

"Beatty obviously was drafted as a left tackle," coach Tom Coughlin said. " He has the athleticism, he just needs time."

Others expected to be out: cornerback Aaron Ross (hamstring), linebacker Michael Boley (hip), running back Danny Ware (chest), safety Kenny Phillips, wide receiver David Tyree (hamstring).

LB Antonio Pierce (foot) missed the past two games but might get in for a few snaps. Both young quarterbacks, Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar, will get some action. Neither played last week vs. the Jets.