New York Giants

Big Blue are in for a rough ride with their ‘elite’ QB, Eli Manning.

Manning is of great stock, has a Superbowl ring and beat the most successful Quarterback of our generation to get it, but elite he is not. He is not the worst QB to ever win the big one (Trent Dilfer we love you), but he is little more than an effective game manager who plays his role well.

Some may say that’s enough to warrant the label, but the way Manning differs from the Bradys, Rogers, Rivers and Brees of this league is that he doesn’t change the game. He might put his team in the position to do something special, but he won’t make the spectacular happen with his arm or legs.

The Catch. So legendary it’s capitalised. David Tyree pinning a high, ropey throw from ‘elite’ QB Eli Manning against his lid as he was mauled by Rodney Harrison. Tyree held on, the Giants won the Superbowl for perhaps the biggest upset in our sport’s history. It was spectacular, but it should never have been. It was spectacular because Tyree caught a ball that he should not have been able to catch while under intense pressure from one of the most aggressive safeties the NFL has ever known. Manning should have been benched for that throw, not applauded. Sure, he did well to slip through the rush as his pocket collapsed, and perhaps you could laud him for getting the ball away at all, but it was still a shockingly risky bit of play. Brady wouldn’t have done it. Rivers wouldn’t have done it. Rogers wouldn’t have got himself into that kind of mess and Brees probably would have done it but gotten the throw on target.

The offense is weak. It lacks pro-bowl talent all over the field. Quarterback play is mediocre. The defence is riddled with injuries. Tom Coughlin doesn’t care all that much anymore. This team is trash right now. Bring back Tiki. Bring back Strahan. Without those characters there’s nothing much to like about this team of pretenders.

Verdict: they will win a few games, because when everything goes right, this team is, at worst, effective. The Eagles should run away with the division and the Redskins and Cowboys, although neither the powerhouse they have been, both know how to play and could cause the Giants problems. Despite my slating of Manning’s self-perception, this team should manage to split the series with each of the division rivals, even Philly. So I will stick with that pattern and predict an 8-8 finish.


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