All things considered, you have to be optimistic about his play going forward. That's solid production given the pathetic OL he's had to play behind. Not to mention, a virtually nonexistent running game.
Call me crazy, but I legitimately think the offense could be dangerous next season. I've been encouraged by both backs, and obviously #13. They probably need one more starting caliber WR(Cruz insurance), but if the OL is seriously addressed, I have some hope for the offense in 2015.
We found a monster in Beckham. Some RB depth and maybe a decent TE in Donnell...hopefully Pugh and Richburg show progress here down the stretch...looks like we are stable at LT....so some good points to this year that we can apply going forward, but nothing is bigger than Eli playing well and getting some of his mojo back.
Clean up the line and the offense will be very good.
And unlike in 2012 when his season's stats were inflated by a 5 TD performance in a meaningless game against Philly, this year his stats took a hit in a 5 INT performance in a (mostly) meaningless game against San Fran.
It's true. We have a crazy amount of holes to fill and we can't afford to have Eli continue to make what he was. But this would not be a punitive measure and would have almost nothing to do with his level of play, short of the fact that he's being paid by the #1 QB in the NFL when he's playing like #7.
I think they can work Richburg at center. Beatty is serviceable. An optimist might say he should be better the second year after a major injury too.
But the skills players, especially the receivers, will be good. Cruz in the slot, Beckham on the outside, who do you double? I'd like to see them get a bigger possession guy (someone built like Boldin).
Still need a TE that can block adequately and play in this offense. Not a superstar.
2012: Nicks gets hurt the 2nd game of the season, never the same since. You have Cruz, and a banged up Bennett. Thats it.
2013: Horrible Nicks, Cruz misses the last 2 games of the season. NO TE.
2014: Missed OBJ the first 4 games of the season. VC goes out in the 6th game of the season. Donnell is an average target at best.
The guy has simply been handed a shitty deck of cards since his amazing 2011 season. You give this guy 2 solid targets all season long, and a semblance of a good line, and he will produce.
Torrey Smith is a FA....
Enjoy it while it lasts.
I know I will.
Hopefully the team improves and the Giants stop wasting seasons from the best Giants QB I will likely see in my lifetime.
There's also Julius Thomas at TE...that's shiny.
A good year, better than I expected esp from what we saw in the preseason, and subsequent injuries abounding.
Depending on where we pick them, that is allocating way too many picks to the offensive side of the ball. Need a MAJOR overhaul on defense and I would much rather shore that side of the ball up first, then maybe take a late round flyer on a WR and RB.
We definitely need to bring in some help at WR since Cruz can't be trusted with his injury and Randle can't be trusted with his play. Need a legit #2 do excel when the ODB is doubled next year. Cobb might be a luxury we can't afford since he'll be coming off an 80+ catch, 10+ TD, 1000+ yard season... Those are Eric Decker numbers from a year ago when he received a $36 million / 5 year deal with $15 million guaranteed. Not back breaking, but given the holes we have I rather pick up a top guard and then spend a top pick on a RT who can be backup T/G in year one and another pick on a pure G/C in the draft.
While it is true that Eli's 2014 cap hit of $20.4 million is tops in the league, his overall deal is only the 12th largest contract for QBs in terms of average per year value.
This is why an extension to spread the pain over more years would be a good idea IF we need the cap room. As of right now, it looks like we are going to be way under the cap next year, especially if it goes up as much as projected. Our current cap figure for next year is about $122 million, that is without cutting or extending anyone. The cap this year was $130 and is projected to be $140 million next year PLUS whatever increase is tied to the new revenues coming from the Thursday Night Football deal (which has been estimated at an additional $4 - $5 million to the cap).
Of course, all that aside, I would argue that extending Eli is the right thing to do regardless of the cap situation. He is a franchise QB with an obvious skill set who has a demonstrated ability to win the big game. I would think that about 15 - 20 teams in this league would be ready to sign on for that right this second.
Eli is currently the 18th ranked qb in the NFL. His completion percentage is ranked 19th. Yards and td's 11th. There are probably going to be 11 or 12 qb's with 4000 yards and at least 3 with 40 td's.
The passing stats this season are out of this world.
I remember reading an article a few years ago saying a good way to judge a QB is take his best/worst game and throw them out. There is always a game where a QB plays way over his head and a game where he just stinks. If we took out the Wash/SF game... Eli would be at:
17 TDs
7 INTs
250 yards Per game.
Considering he has been without Cruz for the majority of the year, no reliable number 2. Inconsistent tight ends. A terrible OL.... those are too bad of numbers. Also throw in the fact his receivers still have only 30 YACs on his 23 TDs is still absolutely incredible.
When you break it down. Compare his play from last year to this year. Has he been better? Yes. Will he continue to get better with McAdoo and a year under his belt. Yes. Get Cruz healthy, a more reliable number 2 WR, and a steady OL.... and he will be the reason we get back to the playoffs.
Other than the Colts game.... tell me 1 game where he padded his stats. Actually you would find his stats while trailing (blowouts, as you say) are actually much worse than when he has the lead or when its tied. Actually his stats in blowouts And then show me ONE QB who hasnt padded his stats in a blowout this year.
That being said, he is only a problem insofar as he is eating a ton of cap space. Get him a new deal which reflects his performance and move on to fix other, more urgently needed, parts of the team.
Career wise Manning absolutely reminds me of Jim Kelly and adjusted for era I think the numbers would be right there. Kelly was a very good, tough QB, who had a number of great years surrounded by good talent. I also think it's fair to say Kelly elevated the success of the core of that team.
I absolutely hate Manning didn't get more prime years of Cruz and Nicks. That had the makings of special, special football. So much more than Burress and Toomer.
It used to be Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Now it's always Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Just an observation.
Yet, he still goes mostly unmentioned.
It used to be Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Now it's always Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Just an observation.
I noticed that as well. I always thought Brees was always at the top of the 'second tier' rather than in a conversation with Brady, Manning, and Rodgers.
And Rodgers may need his own category.
On Eli - I went into the season not expecting us to do much as a team, but hoping Eli would prove he isn't done. I didn't think he was, but would admit to being concerned after a season and a half of mediocre to terrible play. He's proven that he's able to perform very well under bad circumstances. Fix the line, get him another weapon and maybe we can make the playoffs over the next two years.
Yet, he still goes mostly unmentioned.
Because he isnt as good as the top guys and really hasnt been for a few years. He will always put up yards and TDs because thats the offense. But there have been many games this year alone where he has put them in a position to flat out lose a game.
There's also Julius Thomas at TE...that's shiny.
Pass on Julius Thomas. I think he's a good player but largely a product of an offense that makes it impossible for defenses to give him extra attention. I don't think he'd put up the same gaudy scoring numbers here.
Shoot me w guys like this. My word.
In another era Brees would potentially be the best in the NFL, but right it's nuts to have 2 top 5 and potentially another top 10 all time guys in the league.
See I totally disagree with this..Peyton, Brady and Rodgers have all had better offensive weapons and better defenses over the course of their careers..
What players that Eli has played with have made him great? On the contrary he has won 2 SB's with much weaker supporting casts than all 3 of those guys..
I disagree. His footwork is brand new for the first time in a decade. McAdoo changed it.
I have seen zero indication that he still can't make EVERY throw.
He has been good no doubt this year with what he has to work with... but he also has missed a good number of throws that could have been TD's or big completions.... Throws that the upper echelon QB's make in their sleep.
Amazing when eli wins 2 super bowl, it was the team. Now that they suck it's eli with only 5 wins.
Just sad.
One game. Thats it.
I like that he got his completion percentage up though.
Ints are high but he always throws a lot of them
It used to be Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Now it's always Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Just an observation.
Brees is 6th in TDs, 3rd in yardage, and 7th in passer rating in a pretty down year for him. Still pretty strong. It's just that Luck is having a breakout season and Rivers is having a career year.
Giants are 9th in the NFL in attempts per game
Giants are 26th in YPG in the the NFL.
So not only do we run it a lot more than other teams, but also much more unsuccessfully. You would think a team that is 4-9 wouldnt run it as much....
Where as...
The Giants are 12th in the NFl in pass attempts per game
The Giants are 13th in the NFL in passing yards per game.
Seems to me that if Eli threw as much as other teams, he'd probably be higher in both TD/s and yards....
He has been good no doubt this year with what he has to work with... but he also has missed a good number of throws that could have been TD's or big completions.... Throws that the upper echelon QB's make in their sleep.
Pretty good discscussion on what you are saying going on here..
Bad things happen to good QB's.. - ( New Window )
I guess the fact that he is already 27th on the ALL-TIME list in wins means nothing. Lets just count this season where he is on a horrible team.
Quote:
when people mention the "upper echelon" guys, they don't really include Brees in that list anymore?
It used to be Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Now it's always Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and then everybody else.
Just an observation.
Brees is 6th in TDs, 3rd in yardage, and 7th in passer rating in a pretty down year for him. Still pretty strong. It's just that Luck is having a breakout season and Rivers is having a career year.
Like I said, his stats continue to reflect it, but he still does not get mentioned in that top class anymore.
Yes he's a FA. HE's a good outside WR. Not elite maybe but damn good. I'd love him here with Beckham but I wonder if the Ravens let him walk. HE won't be cheap but he won't break the bank either.
Of course, I greatly prefer having Amari Cooper cost controlled for a few seasons, but its looking more and more like Cooper won't fall to us.
Anyway, yes, unfortunately by today's standards that's a C+ or B- season for a QB (or maybe a B to be more accurate).
However, when you take into account what a disaster this team is along the line, and the fact that we are bereft of skill position players outside of Cruz and Beckham (who weren't on the field at the same time really at all this season outside of 1 game), I think it's a damn good season.
I'll tell you this much. Put Eli on a team like the Bears or Cowboys with those weapons, and he'd be tearing it up to the tune of 30+ TDs and 4,000+ yds. I actually don't think the INTs would be impacted. Eli throws picks, and it's not going to change at this point in his career.