New York Giants

Big season for Eli!

Well Giants fans, it is the middle of the off season and since there is really no Giants news to speak of, I thought I would just give my thoughts on the prospects for a big season out of Eli Manning.

We all will remember Eli from the happy picture to the left. Winning a Super Bowl MVP validates his career.But, despite the dream season Eli and the Giants gave us in 2007, we all want more in 2008.The Giants need Eli  to play well consistently through out the year. I think he will.

Eli is entering his fifth season, which is generally when  quarterbacks seem to "get it."In each of his three  full seasons thus far, Eli has thrown over 20 touchdowns, passed for over 3,000 yards, and  has a regular season record of 29-19, plus 4-2 in the playoffs, including a Super Bowl ring.Pretty impressive stuff. The problem for Manning and  the Giants has been inconsistency, and interceptions. Eli has shown a tendency to turn the ball over. During  the  Giants magical run last season however,one of the big differences was Eli took better care of the ball. In the playoffs, Eli threw six touchdowns vs only one interception(which wasn't his fault....Steve Smith had one bounce off his chest in the Super Bowl).He showed more poise, better decision making, and started to use pump fakes to get defenders out of position. All signs of veteran play.

The Giants don't necessarily need Eli to have more "upside", just less "downside." If Eli Manning continues to take care of the football, and play somewhat like he did during the post season, the New York Giants will be in great shape.

I will even make a prediction; Eli will be named to the Pro Bowl in 2008.

Giants draft needs/Quarterback

Well, not really much intrigue here. The New York Giants are set, hopefully, for the next ten years with a Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP Quarterback in Eli Manning.

In his fourth season as a pro, "mv E" showed why Ernie Accorsi and the Giants pulled the trigger on  the blockbuster trade  in 2004 with the San Diego Chargers. While Eli was at times inconsistent and showed a tendency to turn the ball over, he also showed a lot of upside even during his pre Super Bowl run. Don't forget, in each of his first three full seasons as a starter he threw for 20 or more touchdowns and 3000 plus yards, not to mention he had a winning record overall.

Then, we all remember what happened last season starting in the regular season finale against the New England Patriots. Eli Manning became an elite Quarterback right in front of our eyes! I am not making too much of this...think about it, in the post season, Eli out gunned Giant killer Jeff Garcia, Pro Bowler Tony Romo , legendary QB Brett Favre and future hall of famer Tom Brady!

You want more; check this fact out, only two Quarterbacks, in the entire 42 year history of the Super Bowl, have thrown two fourth quarter touchdowns and led their teams down the field for last minute game winning touchdown (not field goal)  drives! The two elite QB's are Joe Montana and our very own Eli Manning.

Do I think that Eli will go through the entire 2008 season playing at the same level he did in the post season? Probably not, nor do I think he will revert back to the sometimes skittish, indecisive, turnover prone Quarterback we saw earlier in his career. I truly believe we will see a very consistent player who has the proven ability to rise to the occasion when the Giants really need him to...and there is nothing wrong with that.

At back up QB, the Giants have the "hefty lefty" or the "pillsbury throw boy" if you prefer, Jared Lorenzen. Who is untested but seems to have some ability. The Giants also picked up former number one draft pick David Carr. I actually think Carr is a decent Quarterback if given a little time. Don't judge him by what you saw from him while playing for the Houston Texans. Nobody can throw the ball well with their ass on the ground.

I would be very suprised if the Giants use a pick, even a late round one, on Quarterback.

Check back often during draft day as we will have up to the minute coverage of all things New York Giants.