Vincent Frank
Dan Graziano of ESPN New York is reporting that the New York Giants might be concerned that quarterback Eli Manning is in the declining stages of his career. As the scribe reports…
Once he gets on the field, I imagine that will be his focus once again this year, with the hope that it ends up for him and the Giants the way that 2011 season did. From here, that seems like a stretch.
I think the Giants would just like to see Manning look like he’s in command of things again. Because last year, there were very few moments when that appeared to be the case.
In command? Manning has thrown 44 touchdowns compared to 42 interceptions over the past two seasons. He led the NFL in interceptions last season with 27, three years after leading the league in the same category with 25. Overall, Manning has turned the ball over 30 times in his last 32 starts.
The command of New York’s offense is a real point to bring up. Outside of basic statistics, Manning seems to struggle understanding key concepts that defenses are running throughout a game. This has led him to throw some questionable passes into windows that just aren’t there. It’s a regression in terms of decision making that has to worry the Giants coaching staff and front office.
Joe Camporeale, USA Today: Just how worried are the Giants about Manning’s regression?
If the Giants are indeed worried about Manning regressing, it might be time to exhaust a draft pick on a possible replacement for the two-time Super Bowl winner down the road. Where they did pick Ryan Nassib in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft, there are very few people within the organization who believe that he can be a franchise quarterback. That selection was more about potentially finding a long-term backup option who could surprise and become a starter at some point. There is no evidence pointing away from the idea that Nassib is more than a backup in the NFL.
While the Giants have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball, it might make sense for them to go after a quarterback that might drop in the draft, a class that is deeper than last year. Whether it’s Johnny Manziel falling in the first round, Derek Carr falling to the second or someone like Jimmy Garoppolo later in the draft, New York could find itself a potential replacement for Manning.
Even as a two-time Super Bowl champion, Manning deserves the criticism that is being thrown his way. Outside of those two postseason runs, Manning hasn’t been much more than an average starting quarterback in the NFL. And that’s saying something, as the league has a major quarterback issue outside of the top 12 or so.
Ask yourself this. Has Manning been the reason why New York has won their games over the past two seasons? Unlikely. He’s more there for the ride, nothing else. That’s a huge thing to look at moving forward. Simply put, Manning doesn’t elevate the play of those around him on the offensive side of the ball.
At 33 years old and with over $40 million due to him over the next two seasons, the Giants will have a decision to make with Manning. Will they extend him on what will be a lofty contract or should they prepare for a future without the franchise signal caller?
Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA Today
