Reading threads this week, seeing order restored to a degree, and then learning that Eli Manning will start Sunday against Dallas, I have this gut feeling that in an imperfect world, this dramatic handful of weeks will lead to positive changes, and a surprising (to many) crescendo for this quarterback as he writes his final chapter.
What's the real story, regarding Eli? What's the correct path to take regarding the twilight of Eli's career v. the responsible preparation needed for a successful future for the franchise. Have his skills dropped off? Did Ben McAdoo's scheme hamper him? What about a porous offensive line? That hasn't helped a never-mobile QB. Then there's the suspect running game, and of course, the injuries to his primary targets.
I found this video interesting, given what's occurred. Also found it insightful and inspiring.
A few snippets that give me optimism that Eli Manning is not finished with this team, and not only that, but he will use these experiences as motivation to finish strong, cementing his legacy as the best quarterback to ever wear the blue.
From the video (linked):
Mark Kriegel, NFL 360: The day I saw him, he was overmatched talent-wise, with his supporting cast.
Ernie Accorsi, when asked what's the highest virtue a quarterback can possess: You can say strong stomach, you can say, is he a clutch player under pressure? (Kriegel: Throws the ball, takes the hit, gets right back up. Isn't that what you're talking about?) That's exactly what I'm talking about.
Another comment during the video: Fourteen years later, you think you know the guy.
Again, with Accorsi back, with the public outcry, with Eli's obvious emotional ties, and the organization's fumbling of the situation and apparent attempt to recover, the stage is now set for a great story to get its due punctuation point.
Check out the video and tell me you don't come away believing that Eli has a little more left to give us.
More from Kriegel: So, what was the magic? Not athleticism, or charisma. But a virtue hidden in plain sight. Right now, Eli Manning's the toughest quarterback in football.
Streak or no, that hasn't changed.
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Rebuild that offensive line, install a productive NFL Offensive scheme that fits Eli's skill set and go grab that 5th Lombardi...
To think that you have the Greatest QB in Giant History and you don't even provide him a decent Offensive line... and you waste his last 5 years is just sad.
Short passes are not his forte, and short passes is what this offense was all about the last two years....
Let's face it, Eli has killed some drives this year, because he could not hit a back coming out for a pass...it's just not one of his strengths...he either fires the ball when he doesn't have to, throws it low or high, where the receiver has to leave his feet and get no YAC.....or misses him completely....he has been this way since day one, and it's a wonder it was never fixed or corrected...
His TE has had the dropsies, and his WR's need needle thread passes because they basically get no separation...a RB can rip off an occasional run, but when he absolutely needs it, it's less than coin toss odds....
It will be interesting to see what the play calling will be for Dallas.....Will Eli try to open it up more downfield? Will he be more under center and use play action, rather than shotgun?
The offense may play a little better, but the personnel out there is not capable of scoring more than 20 points on their own....maybe if the defense gives them a short field...
And while Dallas only has an outside shot at the playoffs, it's still a shot.....Even without Elliot, they will run the ball well....Dez will have a big game without Jenkins.....and once again, Whitten will feast on our linebackers.....Dak has not played well lately, but with no pass rush to worry about, and his ability to extend the play, he will find someone open in the middle of this defense....everybody does....
I think you will be seeing Webb in the second half of this one....
Until he was McAdooed
There is no adjective that can describe how much I have loved having Eli leading the Giants and rooting for him all these years.
I do think this is it for him in blue though. Giants will be drafting a QB high and he will be the starter. I hope that next QB is half of what Eli is. I am not optimistic he will be.
If Eli's best trait was hanging strong in the pocket and delivering shots downfield then let's get back to that. Let's have Eli take more shots downfield. I'll live with the deep interceptions if he'll just try taking the deeper shots.
I don't know who to blame for that - I'd like to say it's just the system, but it may have been a constant focus on "protecting the Duke". With Spags taking over and the defense playing fairly well, let's hope to see more risks taken in the downfield passing game by Eli, even if he has to take more hits in the pocket to make it happen.
CT Charlie : 12:59 pm : link : reply
didn't attempt to give Eli a good line. Pugh, Richburg, and Flowers were extremely high picks. If healthy, Pugh would be very good. Richburg in his rookie year looked to be excellent. Flowers is finally looking like a solid starter.
Who said he didn't attempt to get Eli a good line? We have said, he FAILED to give Eli a good line, via the draft and free agency....
Pugh has been the best, only because every one else has sucked...but even he can't stay on the field...
Richburg was a guard his rookie year....showed potential the next year, at center....and then when there was film on him that he could be overpowered up the middle, it was all over for him....
As for Flowers, the job was handed to him...no competition at all.....potential LT's did not come here because the Giants wanted them to play RT, instead of Flowers....his run blocking, especially short yardage, sucks.....he still makes the same mistakes, and how the refs have missed some of the holds he has done this year, is really amazing...he is not a LT, that is an island to himself....he is not a starting LT...
I'd love to see it.
But I disagree with the 'toughest QB in football' presumption.
He was once. In spades.
I see a QB with a nasty case of PTSD - not that I blame him. Inadequate OL talent got him there. It's to the point where he sees rushers that aren't even there.
I hope that gets turned around.
He's the best Giant QB of my lifetime, and by the time I'm 6 feet under, I'd bet that doesn't change.