This has probably been discussed on many Eli threads throughout the summer but I figured I’d put a bow on it right before the season. He could be toast, he might be completely shell shocked from the simple combination of age (and the erosion of skills that comes with it) and the pounding he’s taken (or more like desperately avoided) over the last 8+ seasons of diarrhea offensive line, but hear me out...
Whether you’re an Eli hater or not, or whether you want to see Daniel Jones in week 2 or you don’t, how happy would it make you to see Eli absolutely light up defenses this season now that he has at least a mediocre offensive line? Better yet, how “Eli Manning” would it be to see that happen at this point in his career?
In 2007 they were coming off the loss of Tiki Barber and his subsequent very public jab at Eli’s leadership prior to the season (to which Manning responded as only Eli does in a manner that showed his teammates how much of a leader he was). They lost big mouth Shockey towards the end of the regular season and shifted to a slightly more conservative running approach (after what felt like 75 incompletions in the wind vs Washington) and he took off from that point on.
2011 he was coming off a high interception total and a little firestorm when he proclaimed he was an elite QB (after being asked the question-who says “no” when asked that anyway???) and we all know what he did next. Victor Cruz helped a lot but Eli was a borderline MVP and played one of the greatest balls to the wall NFC title games in football history.
Fast forward to 2019 and he is taking more shit than he ever has. I think he has a 55 overall rating in Madden (don’t quote me on that), Vegas has proclaimed he’s the worst starting QB in the NFL, he has a QB behind him tearing it up (which is awesome, no complaints there), and he routinely is brought up in a mocking tone by any analyst who is asked about him. His team has been horrible for years, and much of the criticism is very valid, but Devils advocate says he really has not had blocking for a solid 8 seasons, probably going all the way back to 2011.
This is not a defense of Eli Manning. We should not feel bad for the man-we as fans probably take the criticism worse than he does, and he’s walking away with $20+ million dollars. Right or wrong, franchise has reached the point where it would take a god awful start and a clear and obvious lack of ability to pull the plug on him this season because of what he has done for them.
So what am I getting at? We traded Beckham, he’s been pissy in the press (didnt see that coming!) and Eli has had his Eli response (“we won some games before he got here”). How many of you would have the biggest smile on your face if in 2019, coupled with no pressure to deliver the ball to anyone in particular and god’s running back carrying the team, Eli Manning has the last laugh and looks tremendous? Hate him or not... it just feels like this could happen. Because Stone Cold said so, whether you agree with the premise or not or it’s likelihood, “gimme a Hell Yeah” if the Eli Manning F You Tour 2019 is something you’d enjoy watching.
It would be nice and helpful for any HoF consideration if he has a great season.
I would love for Eli to have a great year and take us into the playoffs, no issue with having DJ wait a year a la Mahomes
Even Eli must know that this could be and probably should be his swan song season as starting QB of the New York Giants..what better way to go out than on top?
the emotions are gonna fly when and if we start slow or wind up at less than an even 500 record after about 8 games or so..maybe not even that far along the year..
what happens to the fence a lot of us will be sitting on vis a vis Daniel Jones?
Pretty much nailed it. It put a really sour taste in my mouth that Jones wasn't even given a sliver of a chance in camp when it should have rationally been an actual competition.
Jones didn't get a single snap with the 1's all through camp. I don't think that would have been the case with most teams even if we were winning or coming off a deep playoff run. When you are 8-24 across the last few seasons EVERYONE should be fighting for their job.
Basically exactly what I said in the post. I don’t feel sorry for Eli. But to me it would be awesome if he kicked ass. I think Daniel Jones has looked great so far and I don’t know if there was a fair competition. The main point I’m asking you is as a Giant fan, wouldn’t it be great to see Eli have a fantastic season? If he flames out it just gives the haters more fuel. Not that it’s going to happen, but whether you’d enjoy seeing it.
I doubt his physical skills have seriously diminished. No one who really knows him thinks so or says so, and I don't think it's cause they love Eli the man. I think that's really what they see from him. (Guys like O'Hara.)
Good thread, well done.
But I m not into the Eli redemption thing, when a team loses as much as this team has, the quarterback gets an inordinate amount of blame, and much of the criticism of Eli has been warranted.
I wanted Eli to get this year but as the season approaches I find myself more ready for the Jones’ era; it feels stale with Eli.
Tearing up a watered-down preseason and off season controlled practices...yeah..umm..ok
Behind all the guys you'd expect to read there, but also behind
8 D. Watson
14 K. Cousins
15. D. Prescott
17. L. Jackson
18 D. Carr
19. N. Foles
20. J Garrapolo
21. S. Darnold
22. M. Trubisky
23. K. Murray
24. A. Dalton
25. J. Winston
26. J. Allen
27. M. Mariota
28. J. Flacco
29. J. Brissett
All of those guys are ranked than Eli. The only two guys they have him ahead of are Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
What an insulting crock of shit.
So yeah. I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing how Eli will do behind an OL that will finally let him take 5 and 7 step drops, give him the ability to run play-action with Barkley, and NOT have to force the ball to OBJ. Just put it where it's supposed to go.
I hope he sticks it up everyone's ass whoever doubted him and makes it very hard for the Giants to not sign him for an extension.
But I m not into the Eli redemption thing, when a team loses as much as this team has, the quarterback gets an inordinate amount of blame, and much of the criticism of Eli has been warranted.
I wanted Eli to get this year but as the season approaches I find myself more ready for the Jones’ era; it feels stale with Eli.
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In comment 14560878 David B. said:
Behind all the guys you'd expect to read there, but also behind
8 D. Watson
14 K. Cousins
15. D. Prescott
17. L. Jackson
18 D. Carr
19. N. Foles
20. J Garrapolo
21. S. Darnold
22. M. Trubisky
23. K. Murray
24. A. Dalton
25. J. Winston
26. J. Allen
27. M. Mariota
28. J. Flacco
29. J. Brissett
All of those guys are ranked than Eli. The only two guys they have him ahead of are Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
What an insulting crock of shit.
So yeah. I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing how Eli will do behind an OL that will finally let him take 5 and 7 step drops, give him the ability to run play-action with Barkley, and NOT have to force the ball to OBJ. Just put it where it's supposed to go.
I hope he sticks it up everyone's ass whoever doubted him and makes it very hard for the Giants to not sign him for an extension.
C'mon, Chris...don't let us down...
So much of QB play is tied to supporting cast (particularly OL) for a drop back style QB. History is littered with very good/great QB's performance diminishing as their supporting cast did.
It is sad to see a QB who has been nothing but class (and 2=time Champion)immensely criticized on the networks. It is not so much the criticism but the constant continuation of it.
One thing that has kept me on the Eli bandwagon is just maybe he has enough left and the team is just good enough for a run. Eli has that very special quality of winning in the big moments where so many talented QB's have failed. I am hoping and hanging on for one more chance for him the next 1-2 years to have that moment.
If he shows he has lost it or the team falls out of contention then get Jones in ASAP.
I'm hoping Eli has a great year, whereEVER that takes us and goes out on his terms. And DJ learns from him, in MANY ways.
Have a great year Eli !
I root for the laundry. I couldn't name 75% of the players if they were standing in my house. Manning getting a victory lap is about as important to me as what color his socks are.
I hope the Giants chose Manning because they believe he can get them in the playoffs. If they don't and Manning gets a lot of hugs and kisses, it will be the same level of disappointment.
Quote:
....he has a QB behind him tearing it up
Tearing up a watered-down preseason and off season controlled practices...yeah..umm..ok
Aren't those the same settings that people are using to proclaim that Eli's still got it?
Whatever you think about Jones's readiness, it seems odd to dismiss his preseason but proclaim Eli ready for a bounceback year, unless you're basing the latter on wishful thinking or genuinely don't believe that professional athletes decline in their late 30's.
I'm hoping Eli has a great year, whereEVER that takes us and goes out on his terms. And DJ learns from him, in MANY ways.
Have a great year Eli !
Can you help point me toward the bad years that Brady, Brees, and Rodgers have had?
Could you imagine if another team's qb had that kind of line? BBI would have declared them done two years ago. Heck, all you have to do is look at the Bears Packers thread, with the usual suspects declaring Trubisky a bust after one game, on the heels of a solid season in which he lead what should have been a game winning drive but for the ineptitude of a kicker.
Again, I hope Eli has a phenomenal season and the Giants win the division (something that they have not done since 2011 while every other team has won at least twice). But lets not pretend that criticism isn't well deserved.
If Eli were to start the whole year I think his numbers wind up over 65% completion ratio. Over 4000 yards 2/1 td int ratio with 25 to 30 TD. I base this prediction on it being his second year in the system and a better offensive line. I also consider the loss of Beckham to be nothing. I think his presence on the field is an asset to a club however the interview last year the IVs the quitting at the end I find that all to be awash. Throw that Manning will not have to force the ball to him and can spread it around obj being gone might just be a net positive instead of a net neutral.
Rogers: How many big games has he won? Oh and another QB went into his stadium and beat his 15-1 team at home.
Brees: Tremendous stats but also plays in a dome. Peyton has very consistently provided two assets to him.
1. Very strong running game.
2. Fatastic interior pass blocking.
How many years have the Giants had the two things the last six years?
Let's just go out and hope we win some games and get entertained.
Rogers: How many big games has he won? Oh and another QB went into his stadium and beat his 15-1 team at home.
Brees: Tremendous stats but also plays in a dome. Peyton has very consistently provided two assets to him.
1. Very strong running game.
2. Fatastic interior pass blocking.
How many years have the Giants had the two things the last six years?
I agree with you on all of the above, though I think it's also a bit homerish to think that you could swap Eli with any of those three and get the same career that they've had (and there's no shame in being behind three of the best QBs of all time and certainly of this generation, IMO).
My point was simply in response to "if you play as long as Eli has, you're going to have some bad years." That's simply not true.
If you play in the northeast, and have a GM that swings and misses for years on his attempts to fortify the OL, and spend much of your career in a system that is more big-play-centric rather than focused on QB efficiency, then yes, bad years become increasingly likely. But it's not like it's just a matter of because he played for so long, especially when some of his worst years were early in his career.
No, I get it. I was responding to the poster who said Eli's bad years were just a function of the length of his career. As you point out, it's the other factors (such as OL) that are the issue, not just longevity.
That said, one of the years Eli led the league in INTs (2010), was also the year that he was sacked the fewest times in his career (16) so it wasn't always the line's fault. I think a lot of it had to do with a combination of Gilbride's scheme and Eli's gunslinger tendencies (which obviously paid enormous dividends at his peak).
It truly would be a very Eli thing to accomplish to be the clutch QB that gives the Giants the 3+ clutch late wins that elevate them from a 7-9 club to a 10-6 playoff team.
Maybe we're kidding ourselves, but it COULD happen. I personally have always thought the OL, and by extension the running game, was more important to buffet Eli's tools than the goddam shiny hood ornament WRs that JR loved to draft.