I really like this site. Always level-headed analysis based on numbers but *in context*. (And FYI, really useful for football pools). This article looks at what went wrong Eli last year, and offers some hope for a more promising season this year.
Talks about the specifics of Gilbride's scheme--what Eli was expected to do, despite the line and Nicks, calling it unsustainable: "It seemed impossible for him to be successful in that scheme with that talent." Also, some significant insights on the draft choices.
Definitely worth a read.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/film-room/2014/film-room-eli-manning
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Hahahahahaha. The only problem with that is he wouldn't be able to see it.
The more even distribution of Eli's passes across the field relative to the other QBs.
The deep shots in the GB offense seem to be right at 30 yards as opposed 40+ in Gilbride's system.
I also think the writer missed an opportunity to highlight the lack of a securty blanket for Eli that all other quarterbacks seem to have-- pass-catching running backs, and pass-catching tight ends. A QB under durress NEEDS RBs to dump the ball off to, and/or a big tight end that makes all the catches, even to gain a handful of yards. It keeps drives moving, keeps defenses on their heels, and keeps the QB upright and his rhythm alive.
Sure, the author highlighted the lack of passing to running backs but chalked it up entirely to the scheme, rather than the several year stone-handedness of our running backs.
As far as the tigh ends go, it has been a carousel at the position and last year's Brett Myers experiment was only the most recent disaster.
I did like, however, that the author mentioned that the other great quarterbacks could not have succeeded here either (and he should have poitned to Peyton in the Super Bowl to show exactly what happens to an otherwise legendary quarterback when he has no time to throw the ball and no one open).
Overall, though, I think the article was one of the best analyses out there for what went wrong with Eli and the Giants offense.