Loading ...The New York Giants may have won the Super Bowl this past February, but that's still not enough for quarterback Eli Manning. The team went 9-7 during the regular season, and their leader wants to see significant improvement in that area. More specifically, he wants Big Blue to bottle whatever it was that carried them through the playoffs and to their second Lombardi Trophy in five years.
"[We have to] try to keep that for a full season,” Manning said during a WFAN interview on Monday. “And make sure that we’re playing up to our potential week in and week out. I feel like we’ve still got a lot to prove.”
One thing they're going to have to prove right out of the gate is that they can run the ball more effectively than they did in 2011, when they ranked dead last in the league. For that to happen, they're going to need rookie running back David Wilson to learn the playbook by the time training camp breaks so that they can get his explosiveness on the field early and often.
“The thing about David Wilson, he’s the fastest running back we’ve ever had,” Manning said. “This guy is quick, he’s explosive. And that’s kind of exciting. Our running backs over the years have kind of been that powerful, big guy.”
Another thing the Giants will need is a healthy Hakeem Nicks at wide receiver. Luckily, Manning says his go-to guy is healing rapidly.
“He’s always been a fast healer, he always has the right mindset,” Manning said. “It’ll be great to have him most of training camp and most importantly have him for the start of the season.”
The telling part of Manning's comment was "most of camp." As recently as last week, Nicks' timetable still had him returning just before week one of the season. If he can safely return before then without risking further injury, it would be a tremendous boost for the defending Super Bowl champions.
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The perfect mindset from our leader.
Eli is the perfect leader for a team in New York, much like Derek Jeter. He sets the tone by constantly seeking to better himself, working harder than anyone, leading by example and well-chosen words at the right time, and remaining calm and confident in the most stressful moments. He also, like Jeter, is smart enough to give the media absolutely nothing. It leads to the underestimation that he will always have to deal with until his career is just too great to ignore, and to the underestimation of his team because they just go about their business and don’t give nearly enough “hooks” to the press to keep them excited.
The Knicks had that when they were led by Willis Reed and Walt Frazier (the latter beloved by the press for his style but who didn’t really give them much fodder for controversy and was cool as a cucumber on the court and off). But it is hard for even good team leaders to really perfect the art of being a leader in the Media Capital of the World. Eli, like Jeter, has set the mold that others will find difficult to follow.
Eli was asked about Mike Vick’s “dynasty” comments and Eli answered it perfectly
“Of course, of course. You always have to have some breaking news in the offseason,” Manning said. “Obviously, we’ve got to play football. I know they’re a talented team and they’ve got great players. We’ve got some good players on our team as well, so we’ll see Philadelphia down the road. Right now, we’re just getting ready for training camp and seeing how we can get better.”
I am hoping the “ALL IN” motto sticks for a couple years as we really bought in with it last year…Eli is perfect for NY and FF55 already has said why.
However I think Darel Scott is faster than David Wilson in a straight line race
“You’ve got to laugh about it,” Manning said of offseason commentary and criticism in general before turning toward Toomer’s comments specifically. “I saw Toomer not too long ago. I just walked up to him and said, ‘You know what, I thought Ike Hilliard (was) a better Giants receiver than you were. Willie Ponder was probably a better receiver than you were.’ … You’ve got to laugh about it instead of getting upset. There’s no point.
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He should have said Sinorice Moss :)
Eli Manning also said some good things about Randle
“So training camp will be a big help for (Wilson), getting him in some live games in the preseason will help and the same thing for Rueben. I thought he had a good spring. He has a good feel for things, very smooth, catches the ball well, I think he picked up our offense pretty well for the first time hearing it. So the same thing – training camp just more repetitions, some live action and making decisions, making adjustments on the routes based on the coverage and just learning all those things.”
Michael Vick on the never-won-a-Super Bowl Eagles: “I think we have a chance to develop a dynasty.”
Carson Palmer on the chronically underperforming Raiders: “I think we’re a playoff team.”
Eli Manning on the reigning champion Giants: “I feel like we’ve still got a lot to prove.”
I honestly don’t blame palmer. The raiders need the confidence and their “leader” is supplying that for them.
Now I don’t have the hate for Vick others do but what he said was really stupid. After last year I would think the would want to keep a low profile. Even the Jets have been quiet.
Maybe we have some respect now:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/storylist/17506081/21/2012-nfl-season-preview/new-york-giants
From the linked article:
An AFC scout: “This team [NYG] is going back to the Super Bowl. There are holes and questions, but with this team every year there are holes and questions. To me, it’s Green Bay and (the) Giants in the conference finals. That front office might be the best in football and they had another good draft.
“One thing worries me — Victor Cruz. Whenever I see or read about him, he’s partying or (doing the salsa). He’s going to be more critical to them this year than he was last season. I’m concerned he’s been partying more than he’s been getting ready for the season.”
Best quote by far:
“… one thing Manning does well is develop new targets. He makes receivers the way Antonio Cromartie makes babies.”
Visante Shianco is visiting the eagles
I think with the preview I showed is from most hardcore NFL analysts Eli last year finally earned his respect. While there might be questions surrounding our squad very few will question Eli anymore. Still even his haters have him as a top 5 QB. I think analysts will focus on our other questions which are our OL, running game and 3rd WR. It’s funny most wouldn’t compare Eli with Lebron but I think for both winning chips has validated them as players. I know Eli won before but he didn’t receive his full credit from many for that feat.
It’s hard to remain blind to a two-time Super Bowl MVP, but I believe Eli is still underrated if he is considered anything less than one of the top two quarterbacks of 2011. I think he was the best player in the NFL last season, but even if one disagrees it’s impossible to objectively rank any quarterback other than Rodgers above him for 2011 and going into 2012.
On the other hand, who cares? As long as Eli, his teammates, his coaches, and we know, what difference does reputation make until it comes time for HOF voting, and by then Eli should have three rings and be a unanimous first ballot entrant to Canton.
I would say you can put brees and brady over Eli…one could argue sytem and weather but they both did amazing things last year…
*argue instead of “say”
I think perfect conditions is a factor. I can buy a Rodgers or Brady argument but not Brees. Plus Brees put up a lot of yards with games all ready decided so some of his stats are inflated. I still think he’s an elite QB but not to the level his stats say.
Well I do think it makes some difference what others think when you say first ballot HOFer. That means Eli does have to garner the respect of the masses. The HOF is perception as well as reality. Yes, if Eli wins one more there’s absoulutely no denying him but sans a 3rd SB I can see some argument against him.
he would need to add to his career stats but he just needs to coast to get those…I think Eli can get in…however he is not out of the woods yet
Even Strahan isn’t recognizing how good this defense will be. Perhaps better than last year? It’s going to be a whole lot better than that.