...even believe to a very small degree... even an infinitesimal degree, that the downturn in his performance this season is in some strange way related to the superb comeback year of his older brother?
This isn't an objective, factual issue, but rather one that falls under the rubric of subjective/psychological. It's as though his older brother has come back to grab the limelight while Eli comfortably (or not so comfortably) regresses to the Eli of old-- the over-shadowed, younger brother who is "up-and-down" in his weekly performance.
Clearly, there are much more rational, objective reasons, such as Hakeem Nicks at half strength, shakier offensive line and/or defensive coordinators who have figured out how to defend last season's lethal Giants' attack.
If I was going to surmise anything, I think it was all the elite talk. It seems once the media starting saying "hey, he is elite, he may be the best QB in the league right now", everything went to crap for him. Maybe that got in his head and he started pressing and trying to live up to the billing of the elite claim.
Anyway, total speculation if I was going to throw an unfounded speculation into the wind. Which is about as much as it is worth..
This is just Eli.
I don't read anything else in to his less than perfect performance.
In no particular order..and as other have said throw in Sandy and Newtown..
The season is not over yet, We were in the exact same position (record wise) at this time last year.
I think he is fine.
Give me Nicks and Snee at 100% all year with Locklear at tackle instead of Diehl, and Eli has a tremendous season.
...where's the love?
Merry Christmas.
and also to the staff's decision to compensate by going with the running game rather than a more spread offense. It remains to be seen whether the "balanced approach" gets the Giants into the postseason and beyond, but there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it has hurt Eli's numbers
But Eli also has no else to blame other than himself. If Giants had taken the ball out of Peyton's hands to give it to Bradshaw/Hynoski, Peyton would have been in their face. Eli isn't like that, which is both good and bad.
But this is the typical career trajectory of Eli so far in his seasons.
IMO next year if they can just be a middle of the pack OL and Bennett stays and Randall and Wilson have a full year under their belts we will see a better Eli.
I'm not absolving him of some bad decsions and crappy play but the OL is just as bad if not worse than last year at this point. Eli got the shit kicked out of him but he had better WRs, better TEs, and a better situation at RB. He's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. Just not happening this year.
Has our running game faltered?
Has the loss of Mario hurt?
Did we handle the Nicks situation right?
Three yeses and a no........
But Eli has had an off year, too....there is plenty of blame to go around......
Does that mean those guys are not elite?
Injuries, a bad OL--same thing as happened with Eli.
M.S. : 1:00 pm
...where's the love?
Merry Christmas.
They're helping you out by pointing out how stupid you are. It's a favor.
Good.
But Eli isn't performing as well as last year.
Poor pass blocking? Maybe, just maybe. I wonder...
Cruz's spectacular year may have helped gloss over some flaws last year too with all the short passes going for TDs.
I wouldn't include the loss of MM as much of a factor either. Dom Hixon and Rueben Randle have done as much and dropped far fewer passes.