Eli Manning quietly having a great season
By Ryan Disdier
Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t the only player on the Giants offense having a great season. His quarterback Eli Manning is having his best statistical season of his career, and he’s proving he can still play well, even at 33-years of age.
After a 27-interception campaign in 2013, Manning was faced with a plethora of scrutiny during the offseason. People thought he was way past his prime. Eli Manning answered his critics the only Eli Manning can: by saying nothing and having the best year of his career.
During the preseason, I predicted Manning would have a bounce back season, but he wouldn’t be elite. Well, if the Giants were contending for anything, Manning would no doubt be in the conversation of elite quarterbacks, much like he was in 2011. Despite struggling for the entire preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season, “Easy E” settled in to the new offense.
Manning’s current stats are as followed: 3,981 yards, 29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, a 93.5 quarterback rating and a 64.1 completion percentage. Manning is two touchdowns away from tying the career high he set in 2010. The completion percentage and quarterback rating are the highest of Manning’s career, and the new west-cost style offense has benefited him greatly.
As a matter of fact, after last night’s game in Cincinnati, Eli’s brother Peyton (15, four last night) actually has more interceptions on the year than Eli (13) does. Yeah, it’s been that kind of season. It’s safe to say Manning is certainly showing the Giants he deserves one last contract with the team after next year.
We haven’t really seen Manning force passes into the tightest of windows this year, of course with the exception of the game against the 49ers in which Manning chucked five costly interceptions. Manning has made some exceptional throws this year, but I do admit that his receivers have made him look very good. It’s unfortunate, though, because as previously mentioned, Manning’s banner year isn’t getting a lot of attention due to the Giants’ porous record.
The Giants have to accept that Manning will throw interceptions, and he’ll probably have at least one game a year that consists of a bevy of interceptions. They have to take the good with the bad. It’s just the kind of player Eli Manning is.
Manning’s revival is the best possible news for the Giants, as they now know what’s needed to win. The team has done a great job of surrounding Manning with young talent, and they need to continue to do that if they want to make one more Super Bowl run with Manning at quarterback.
Take a look at Odell Beckham and the impact he’s had on the offense. The frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year has helped elevate Manning, as well as the entire offense. Larry Donnell has also offered a lot of production from his tight end position, and he’s providing the offense with something it direly lacked during last year’s debacle. The news faces are undoubtedly big factors in Manning’s resurgent year.
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"“I think we’re feeling good within the offense,” Manning said to WFAN’s Mike Francesca. “The players are starting to understand everything. Everybody is in the mix. Everybody is making plays. I have enjoyed the process of learning this offense.”"
During the offseason, the Giants need to continue to do this by adding players that can help to the supporting cast. Selecting an offensive lineman in the early rounds would be beneficial, and the Giants should also look in to adding a dynamic, fast running back to the mix. Fixing the offensive line is critical in Manning’s success. He’s been carrying the brunt of the Giants’ workload over the season. Although the unit is obviously improved from last year’s perpetually shifting group, there are too many missed blocks. That needs to be improved during the offseason if the Giants want to have the best offense possible. Having Manning’s go-to target Victor Cruz back in the fold will also be great, as a receiving trio of Beckham, Cruz and Rueben Randle is tantalizing.
It’s certainly been a learning process for everyone, but the Giants can take solace in knowing the offense works, and so does Eli. And if you still doubt Eli Manning, write your mean comments and tweet your mean thoughts, but don’t expect a response from number 10. He’ll just shrug his shoulders.