Dan Graziano, ESPN --- QB Confidece Index
"Eli Manning hasn't missed a game since he became the Giants' starter midway through his rookie season.
His production dipped in 2016, but some in the Giants' building believe a lack of non-Odell Beckham weapons and poor pass protection had more to do with that than anything else.
Manning did just turn 36, though, and the team is thinking about the future."
...........
Any GM would be crazy not to think about the future when their starting QB is 36. Giants did in the 3rd round, and might due it again next year. Actually should do it again next year. Then let those two fight it out to start when Manning retires in three or four years.
"Some in the building believe" --- He didn't name anyone but I'm guessing it wasn't McAdoo because he blamed a good deal of the problems of the offense last year on Manning, but didn't mention his mediocre play calling after having success his first two years as OC with some creative play calling. I'm also guessing Reese wasn't one because a good deal of the problems the offense had was centered around the OL and not getting a good WR across from Beckham.
So who are the supporters that Graziano was taking about that don't believe Manning was the problem, maybe Mara/Tisch?
Manning imo wasn't the reason the offense sucked last year. Injuries, McAdoo's vanilla play calling, and Reese not addressing the offense line earlier is 90% of it.
[No real running game because of the OL. Average at best pass protection. No one besides Beckham, maybe Shepard with Cruz being a shell of himself. Vanilla play calling.]
Where were the main problems on offense last year and what percent would you give to each that cause the offense to suck.
IMO
60% OL [Injuries/play Flower, Jerry and Hart, most negative area]
15% OC [Vanilla play calling]
15% TE/WR [No major option at TE or 2nd Wideout across from Beckham]
10% Manning
What is your take:
.
I dont get the folks who believe manning's play has dipped either. Manning threw for over 4,000 yards with 26 TD's and completed a near career high 63% (his career high is 63.1%) of his passes last year.It also went pretty overlooked that he had 6 GWD's last year as well. He hasnt had a TE in years. Tye is a great story, local kid, tryout guy, plays hard, i like him but hes a backup at best on most if not all the teams in the league. Cruz was playing out of position on the outside, and even then his last truly productive year was 2013, but even then he lost time due to injury.
Does Eli throw a head scratcher from time to time? yes, he does. But he is a quarterback who has never been afraid to make a contested throw, he lets his receivers try to make a play on the ball. Bit of a gunslinger and on a personal level thats what i want in a QB... minus beckham and a bit of sheppard he hasnt had many quality receivers in the last few seasons. In games Beckham was shut out the Giants couldnt do anything, no one got open and the line could barely hold up long enough for the short routes to develop.
Football is the ultimate team sport and without a good suppporting cast idk what can realistically be expected from a QB.
Now with Marhsall and Engram added to the mix he has 2 more legitimate options to choose from, the offense becomes more spread out and less predictable.
I expect great Eli.
Eli has still got it.
Perkins runs better [he was good last season]
Vereen is back
Marshall and Ellison add a lot.
Add to that Engram and 2nd year Shepard and hopefully McAdoo won't play call so vanilla.
Add that to a top 5 defense and the Giants should go deep into the playoffs.
One is producing a reality TV show, one is dancing on reality TV and one is a joke.
Combine this with an o - line that no one can argue was in the top half of the league and it is no wonder the offense struggled.
I put Eli way down the list of the offensive problems last season.
Then Vereen went down and that was clearly a direct negative impact for Eli.
Then you started seeing poor performances from the Oline unit, more conservative play-calling and Eli started feeling all these effects. He started watching the pass rush, became impatient in pocket and missing downfield throws too.
Losing Vereen and conservatism of the Offense I think really allowed Defenses to start dictating what was going on and pressuring Eli to make plays. But he isn't that kind of QB and it showed.
Then Vereen went down and that was clearly a direct negative impact for Eli.
Then you started seeing poor performances from the Oline unit, more conservative play-calling and Eli started feeling all these effects. He started watching the pass rush, became impatient in pocket and missing downfield throws too.
Losing Vereen and conservatism of the Offense I think really allowed Defenses to start dictating what was going on and pressuring Eli to make plays. But he isn't that kind of QB and it showed.
Losing Vereen and FB Johnson really hurt last year. We were limited by talent but having these two healthy for the year would have helped Eli a heck of a lot. Injuries suck...it was not to be.