Manning-Wikimedia_Images
His Resume
Eli Manning, the younger brother of Future HOF Peyton Manning, has had a successful career. He is the only player that demanded to be traded after being drafted and IT WORKED!!!! He’s had a successful NFL career, boasting 2 Super Bowl rings and 4 Pro Bowl appearances. He is one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL and this season maybe his best statistical one yet.
Last Season
In the 2015 season, Eli had a decent year statistically, throwing for 4,432-yds, 35-tds, and 15-ints. His wide receiving corps included Star Odell Beckham Jr., Rueben Randle, Shane Vereen, Dwayne Harris, Will Tye, and Larry Donnell. Besides OBJ, those receiving options are not the best by a long shot. Eli has been without his former favorite target Victor Cruz since game-7 of the 2014 season. The former Ole Miss signal caller, only had one WR go over 60-receptions on the year (OBJ). Eli was able to produce with average offensive talent around him and a shaky offensive line.
The 2-time SB Champ did have some mental blunders i.e. the pass out of bounds against the Dallas Cowboys, as well as 11-fumbles (4 lost). Manning had a total of 19-turnovers, and that is more than necessary. There were too many occasions where Peyton’s younger brother tried to make throws he should not have. I chalk that up to not trusting the talent around him. He mainly trusted OBJ, considering he caught 96-passes last season. Eli played well, for the level of talent he was surrounded by, especially carrying one of the worst defenses in the league. Is there a possibility we see a better Eli Manning this season?
This Season
As I explained in my most recent article including Landon Collins, the New York Giants‘ defense should be much improved with the offseason acquisitions through free agency and the draft. The possibility of having an improved defense will definitely benefit Peyton’s younger brother and his offense. The Giants’ offense already had talks of Top-10 explosive potential in minicamp and heading into training camp. Rookie wide receiver, Sterling Shepard has been showing out and impressing everyone during early camps. There are also rumbles of a “possibly healthy” Victor Cruz attending mandatory training camp later this month. The thought of an offense trotting out on the field with Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Shane Vereen, Will Tye/Larry Donnell, and a “healthy” Victor Cruz is terrifying for opposing defenses. The younger Manning has a set of tools that would make any other signal caller envious. The Giants’ offense can easily be a Top-10 or maybe even Top-5 offense this coming season!!
Expectations vs. Reality
With expectations in life, there must be a sense of reality. I have high expectations for Eli and the Giants’ 2016 offense, but the reality is some factors could derail this offense’s success. Of course, the healthy of Victor Cruz will put a huge dent in the potential of this offense. The G-Men’s offensive line only conceded 27-sacks on their two-time Super Bowl winning QB, but they must continue to keep him upright. The real area of concern with the offensive line is opening rushing lanes, if they can open holes in the running game it will keep defenses honest against their offensive. They ranked 18th in the league in rushing, averaging a meager 100.6-yards per game, that must increase to maintain success on offense. The other real factor that could derail the Giants’ offense is if the newly retooled defense does not perform. They cannot come into training camp or the regular season thinking like Vince Young, in his infamous 2011 “Dream Team” quote. If they do not produce and help turn around of the league’s worst defenses in 2015, the offense will have to carry this team yet again. My expectations for this team is to repeat as a Top-10 offense and climb into the top 20’s on defense. This improvement will lead them into the playoffs as a wildcard, and Eli Manning producing one of his best seasons ever!!!
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Damian Parson is an Analyst for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or twitter.
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