Eli Manning is back as the quarterback of the New York Giants after another off season of others attempting to dictate his fate. This has been nothing new as over the last three off seasons, writers and insider predicted the end of the future Hall Of Fame QB, but to many this was the obvious decision.
This is not really a shock to anyone with the exception of those who have agenda’s, but Eli Manning was far from the problem during last season. Rebuilding an offensive line, an over paid and aging defense, and young prospects does not exactly set a team up for success in this league.
Manning’s 2018 campaign was solid across the board as he finished with a 66% completion rate with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions thought the team finished with 5-11 record. There was still doubt though. “I had some talks with Mr. Gettleman and coach Shurmur within the last month or so.” said Manning. “They told me that I would come back and be on the team this year. I got word within the last month.”
This should have been no surprise to anyone as Manning’s 2018 campaign was solid across the board. Eli finished with a 66% completion rate with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions thought the team finished with 5-11 record.
There were talks during the off season that the Giants might be looking to turn the page on the two time Super Bowl MVP. General Manager Dave Gettleman stated back in March that Eli has a lot in the tank and just needs the offensive line in order for him to be successful.
“You turn around and look at what happened last year,” Gettleman said. “Once we got that O-line fixed, better – we’re going to continue working on that – look what we did in the second half of the year on offense. This narrative that Eli is overpaid and can’t play is a crock. So at the end of the day, you have to say Gettleman is out of his mind, or he knows what he’s talking about when he evaluates players. That’s really what it is. … If you disagree with me, that’s fine. But if you turn around and look at what he’s making right now and look around the league and see what quarterbacks are making, if you were in my shoes, you’d say the way he finished the season and what he’s making, there wasn’t a decision to make.”
Manning and Gettleman stated that there was a conversation at the end of the season about Manning’s future. Eli pleaded his case to Gettleman “It was right after the season, so they had a lot to look at and a lot to go over. I just wanted to let them know how I was feeling before they made their decision.”
Gettleman knew and understood where Manning was coming from as he watched enough tape of the second half of the season to know that their franchise quarterback still had a lot to contribute to this team. He was not wrong.
While the focus right now is to reload and build upon the disappointing 2018 campaign, Manning knows the Giants are also looking to the future, especially with two picks in the first round of the NFL Draft.
” I can see the Giants getting a young quarterback.” Manning commenting during a media session on Monday. “I understand that. I still have to do my job. I will do my part. Same as last year. Go out there, play quarterback, win football games. That is what I am trying to do. ”
Head Coach Pat Shurmer feels that Manning will have more success in the second year of this offense. Shurmer has shown a tremendous amount of faith in the veteran QB and feels that Manning is more excited to get the 2019 campaign started
“He is excited to get into this, the second year of our system and build on what we did the last half of the season.” said Shurmer. “Eli is really terrific at staying in the moment. Right now, it is offseason training. Just trying to get comfortable with his receivers and try and master his decisions. I think that is where he is at. I don’t feel the need to talk about that with him.”
While taking the practice field this week, Manning will be throwing passes to some new faces. Sterling Shepard returns as well Golden Tate signed who with the team during free agency as well as a healthy Cody Latimer, who missed a majority of last season due to injury.
Manning addressed the the departure of Odell Beckham on Monday by stating guys need to step with the absence of the All-Pro wide receiver who now will be wearing other colors then Big Blue.
“Guys have to step up. We have good players on this team. Talented receivers and running backs. We played the last four, five games of the season without him. We were able to score points and move the ball.” Manning Contiued. “He is a tremendous player and was a tremendous player for us. There are certain things that he can do that not everyone can do, but we still have guys that can play and help us be a tremendous offense and score a lot of points.”
Eli was honest as he did communicate with Odell and even admitted that they were friends. The time line of their relationship has not always been positive as Beckham has been critical at times of Manning’s play. That’s in the past as Eli addressed the communication he has had with Odell.
“I wanted to reach out to him. Odell has been a teammate for five years and has been a friend. These circumstances, you think about the player involved. It is more than just a player; it is someone you have a relationship with. You think more about that person, how they are handling it and that they are OK and doing well with it”
Off Season workouts continue through out the week as the team prepares for the draft.
