New York Giants: Ben McAdoo Wrong to Criticize Eli Manning

New York Giants head coach picked a weird time to offer undeserved criticisms and hot takes about quarterback Eli Manning.

NFL head coaches often make curious and even strange decisions. That wasn’t the case with Ben McAdoo of the New York Giants for the majority of his first year as the club’s roster leader. McAdoo, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach in January 2016, was downright boring during portions of the fall en route to guiding the Giants to a record of 11-5 and a playoff berth.

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Perhaps that’s why McAdoo choosing the first week of March to criticize quarterback Eli Manning is so curious. As Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News explained, McAdoo didn’t hold back when speaking with reporters about his team’s offensive play during the 2016 season:

"“We all know that turning the ball over 27 times isn’t acceptable,” McAdoo said during a 14-minute press conference. “We’re fortunate to have the (11) wins that we had turning the ball over the way we turned the ball over. So we can’t turn the ball over that way. We need to handle the ball better. So we need to catch it better than we caught it, and we need to handle it in the pocket better. We can’t have it come out – way too many fumbles: 16 interceptions, 11 fumbles. Way too many fumbles.”"

Those comments, on their own, would’ve been fine. It’s true the Giants had way too many turnovers during the year, and all involved must do better if the club is to compete for a championship beginning next September. The New York offense could also use additional weapons at running, wide receiver and tight end, but such points are for a different topic.

Then there’s the offensive line, particularly left tackle Ereck Flowers. Flowers seemingly worsened as the season went along, so much so that he often appeared overwhelmed on the field during the final month of the season. Signing or drafting a left tackle so the Giants can move Flowers elsewhere on the offensive line should be a top priority before summer training camps begin.

With all that said, Manning playing behind an inconsistent and leaky offensive line for much of last season didn’t keep McAdoo from hitting out at the two-time Super Bowl MVP, again via Leonard with the New York Daily News:

"“I think (the offensive line) is an easy blame. I think that’s an easy one-liner you can throw out there and think you have all the answers. I don’t necessarily agree with that,” McAdoo said. “The offensive line, they need to play better. I agree with that. (But) I think Eli needs to do a better job of playing with fast feet, and I think he needs to sit on that back foot in the pocket."

McAdoo went on:

"“We’re seeing a lot of man coverage, so the receivers, it’s gonna take a little time for them to get open, so everything may not be rhythmical,” the coach continued. “So (Eli) has gotta play with fast feet, he’s gotta sit on his back foot and be ready to hitch into a throw. Things aren’t always clean in this league, but you watch film of the end zones throughout the league and you’re seeing a lot of dirty pockets.”"

There’s something to be said for a little tough love going a long way, and Manning is a 36-year-old who is a veteran of 13 pro seasons with a reputation of quickly forgetting any negative comments or moments. Truth be told, Manning would probably be the first one to admit he has to improve at playing with “fast feet” even at this stage of his career.

McAdoo’s comments nevertheless made headlines for understandable reasons. Head coaches rarely, if ever, accidentally use phrases that throw a team captain, team leader and franchise record holder under the bus in any way. Fans believing McAdoo may have just been in a mood at that point of his day should know the coach offered high praise for the much-maligned Flowers during the same press conference.

Manning wasn’t perfect last season, but he also wasn’t to blame for the team’s offensive struggles. New York was 29th overall in total rushing yards (1,412) per ESPN, and the club finished the regular season with only six rushing scores. Victor Cruz, unfortunately, was a shell of his former self in an attempt to come back from a gruesome knee injury, and he and the Giants parted ways earlier this offseason.

The “bad Eli” moments often remain so strong in memories that they cause one to forget the positive things Manning achieves each year. Where’s the praise for all that Manning has done for Odell Beckham Jr. during Beckham’s first three NFL seasons? Why don’t we hear and read more about how Manning led rookie Sterling Shepard to eight receiving touchdowns during his debut campaign?

Think back to New York’s playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this past January. Manning would’ve tossed a pair of touchdowns in the first half if not for drops from Beckham and Shepard, and those two plays served as evidence Manning had entered “January Eli/Playoff Eli” mode until those around him let him and the Giants down.

McAdoo’s words are neither alarming nor all that major a story minus the fact there’s only so much anybody can write or say about the NFL Combine and free agency. The Giants obviously aren’t trading Manning in 2017, nor is the club drafting a rookie who will replace him so long as he remains healthy. McAdoo and Manning will succeed or fail together, as it’s unlikely both will remain with the organization through the end of the decade if New York doesn’t notch at least one playoff win between now and 2019.

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McAdoo using what should’ve been a throwaway presser to blame Manning merely reminds fans and observers Manning is probably the most unappreciated player in NFL history, and that trend seems destined to continue until he hangs his cleats up for good.