There are, as Kurt Warner observes, “intangibles” involved in deciding on who starts at quarterback for the Giants in the Sept. 12 regular-season opener and beyond.

These unseen forces have little to do with who throws the prettier pass or who is more adept at checking out of bad plays. This is not solely about age, experience or contract status. There is a reason why Warner vs. Eli Manning is so captivating and why tonight, as the Giants take on the Jets in the annual preseason contest, it is imperative for Warner that he rise to the occasion if he is to convince Tom Coughlin he’s the man for the job.

Many dramatic characterizations fit this competition, the most appropriate being the aging gunslinger vs. the new hotshot in town. There’s a desperation surrounding Warner’s time in New York; he has to play now or he may never play later. Manning has the luxury of time on his side, which may be why he reacts to every situation with the coolness of youth.

“The dynamics of it is beyond just two guys competing for a spot, when you look at the backgrounds and the pedigrees of both of us, there’s so many factors that it’s a strange situation,” Warner said not long after he learned he’d get the start tonight. “You have things on [Manning’s] side, No. 1 draft pick, investments, opportunities to play earlier to grow and mature faster.

“There’s also intangibles where I’ve been to two Super Bowls, I’ve won two MVPs, those type of things, I’ve been there and done it. There are intangibles on both sides. Leadership, the way you get along with your teammates, the things you do off the field as a leader of the team weigh into it as well.”

With the smoothness of a politician and grace of a talk-show host, Warner has skillfully navigated through a summer of discomfort. It’s taken him longer than expected to learn the offense and he’s never wowed anyone sufficiently to allow observers to harken back to the masterful way he directed the high-flying Rams attack.

“That’s what I still need to grow,” Warner admitted. “Sometimes I’m looking at things a little bit longer than I want to be instead of just being able to react.”

After signing with the Giants for $3 million, fully realizing Manning – with the $45 million commitment by the Giants – is the future, Warner anticipated he could delay the inevitable for one season. The rookie has never flinched, though, and Coughlin tonight wants another look. He’ll start Warner but give Manning an equal opportunity with the starting offense, a break with normal preseason operations.

The veteran was supposed to, by now, lean on his experience and overtake the kid, but it hasn’t happened.

If the Giants turn to Warner first, they can always go to Manning down the road if Warner falters or the team around him struggles. That’s the predicted scenario. But if Coughlin opts for Manning right away, Warner might possibly rot on the bench for an entire, wasted season.

If Warner impresses tonight and Coughlin names him the starter prior to Thursday night’s preseason finale, the pressure of fighting for the role will fade and perhaps, a heightened sense of self-assurance will push Warner forward. That’s what he hopes.