With the New York Giants preparing to begin their title defense in just five days against the Washington Redskins, I can't help but think how critical it is for Quarterback Eli Manning to continue his progress.
With players having dominant personalities gone from the Giants roster, guys like Tiki ( I swear I am not jealous of the Giants success without me) Barber, Jeremy Shockey, Michael Strahan, and to a lesser extent, Osi Umenyiora, this is clearly Eli Manning's football team.
Eli went a long way to validating his status as a number one pick (and to validating the New York Giants assessment of his ability) last season with his remarkable post season run culminating in his Super Bowl MVP performance.
Still, he needs to follow through on it. With a pretty significant changing of the guard on the Giants roster the last two seasons (see names above), Eli Manning must capitalize on this opportunity and grasp the leadership of this team. Eli will never have the personality to do it in the way a guy like, for instance, Michael Strahan did....just isn't in his nature. However, he can and I believe will, do it by example. Not only by playing well, but by working hard and putting in the extra time, something Giants coaches have praised him for. He has always done it, but now, more so then ever, all eyes are on Eli.
If Eli continues to prove,as he did down the stretch last season, that his Giants teammates can count on him, he will become an elite NFL QB. Especially this season when the Giants defense has taken a step backwards (at least on paper) with the losses of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, Eli Manning must take up the slack on his side of the ball. I think he understands this well.
All New York Giants fans understand that the primary reason big blue won it all in 2007 was the outstanding play of their defense, particularly their pass rush. This season, Eli and the offense need to step it up through the course of the entire season and take pressure of the big blue wrecking crew.
Eli not only has the skills to pull it off, he also has the weapons. The Giants have one of the top offensive lines in football, they have a fierce rushing attack with guys like Brandon Jacobs, Ahmed Bradshaw, Derrick Ward and the new kid in town, Danny Ware. They have en excellent core of wide recievers with Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and, probably the number four Mario Manningham...or Domenik Hixon. While the Giants may have taken a step back (at least on the field) with the loss of Jeremy Shockey, the fact is, the pieces are still there.
Eli needs to take advantage of the opportunity and the talent the Giants have given him. It all starts Thursday night....I can't wait!
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