Eli has had a large number of passes knocked down so far after two games (or at least it feels that way)and I think there is a very direct reason for this, beyond just good, smart Dline play.
The flaw in the team thinking was we can be more competitive than probably we can be and/or, the belief that Eli can transition to Jones for 2020 was flawed from the beginning.
Eli, though not the main reason we have not won, is not going to win games and really could be a factor in why we lose. Our Oline is vastly improved but what I have seen is an offense that is really designed for JONES and his skill set. Manning cannot move, he is a fucking statue back there. Manning is so shell shocked and worn down that he checks down a LOT! Which, with our improved Oline has actually led to a new and pretty real problem.
Dlinemen, who in the past would be screaming free to Manning, are now not getting through as easily as they had in the past. In many cases, they are not getting through at all. Now, since our PB has improved the Dlinemen are now just putting their hands up and knocking down more and more passes. Think about it, check downs are easier when guys are coming free as you are throwing to an open hole 2-5 yards from the LOS. Now, when you throw them, since the DLinemen (and other pass rushers) are actually being held up at LOS or barely passed the LOS, you have all these defenders around the very areas you would normally (based on the past few years) just dump the ball off or look to throw to at a lower height level. So these well blocked defenders know they just need to get their hands up as the ball very well will be coming their way at a low level.
This will not get better with Eli as he cannot, will not or just doesn't think to, move away and get a clearer throwing lane or even running. By fixing the Oline, we may have created a problem based on how Eli looks to throw. His dumping off, down or just propensity to throw into traffic within 3-5 yards of LOS has now actually backfired some because our interior Oline is pretty stout in Pass Pro. Eli's unwillingness and or inability to scramble and gain better angles, vision and opportunities means he either needs to throw further down the field or he has to develop a bit more over the top throwing or we will continue to get passes batted down...
And, as we all know being Giants fans, that passes batted down for our defense end up on the ground and our passes batted down end up intercepted.. :(
BTW - The defense also sucks. I was going to call out a unit here, but across the board, they suck....the line sucks, the LB'ers suck and most astoundingly - so does the secondary