Mr. P Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants' banged-up offensive line is a patchwork crew. Their receiving corps, which was already without Pro Bowl possession receiver Steve Smith, is down to just three healthy guys. And the team is coming off a dreadful loss to a 1-7 Dallas Cowboys team Sunday. Now, the Giants are staring at a trip to play another division rival, Philadelphia Eagles, who are challenging them for the NFC East lead. Yet Giants quarterback Eli Manning would concede nothing Monday. There was a palpable little edge to him at times, same as there had been right after the Giants' loss on Sunday. "Still frustrated?" a reporter asked. "Well, more frustrated yesterday," Manning began. That Manning admitted to being upset at all was a rare public admission. Manning's entire philosophy about navigating New York has always seemed built on the Jeter-esque principle of staying imperturbably calm and saying as little as necessary. But if you want to know what Manning's teammates mean when they insist he constantly shows leadership the rest of us don't always see or appreciate, the 20 minutes that Manning spent talking by his locker Monday provided a good, if typically subtle, insight into what the other Giants mean. Manning doesn't shout, stomp his feet or do anything publicly that says, "Look at me." But when times are tough, especially, he can get contrary. That's been true of Manning at some of the biggest moments in his life, such as when he had the guts to follow his legendary dad, Archie, to Ole Miss after his older brother, Peyton, wanted none of that, or when he told the San Diego Chargers he didn't want to play for them if they drafted him No. 1 overall -- the stand that paved his way to New York. It shows up on the field, too -- never more famously than that miracle completion he threw to David Tyree after escaping the New England Patriots' pass rush in the dying minutes of the Super Bowl by refusing to go down. You don't pull off any of that if you don't already have some steel in your spine. The trait shows up in far less momentous things that Manning does, too, such as his reaction Monday when asked if it's only reasonable to accept the Giants' injury-plagued offense could take a step backward against Philly on Sunday night. "No," Manning said flatly. "We'll run our offense." Even if rookie Duke Calhoun is his third wideout? "He has to step up," Manning answered. But what about the offensive line, with backup Kevin Boothe now ... "Played for us in the past," Manning said. OK, but then there's [second-year tackle] William Beatty, who ... "Started for us before," Manning said. In other words: No excuses. Manning could've backed off and thrown out some stock answers about the Giants' dreadful loss, or made a move to get out the door after that. But pointedly, he stuck around for 20 minutes instead. As usual, he didn't volunteer anything hugely controversial. But he did seem determined to parry back -- strongly, again and again and again -- when one wave of reporters, then a second, then a third, straggled over and asked him if Sunday's flop against the Cowboys raises the old concern that the Giants could be staring at another one of those fast-start/late-season swoons that head coach Tom Coughlin's New York teams have been known for lately. One reporter began, "Do players really not think about all those past stretches where ... "I think we're playing Philly tomorrow, that's all I'm thinking," Manning interjected. "But, you guys don't think, 'How can I avoid ...' "That's how y'all think," Manning shot back, interrupting again. "I think we're playing Philly. And you prepare. And go forward." "But," another writer persisted, "there has been a pattern of tough finishes that's developed here other than '07 where ..." "Why don't we talk about '07?" Manning needled now with another small smile, referring to the Giants' unlikely Super Bowl-winning run. The net impression from start to finish Monday was as badly as the Giants played against Dallas, Manning still acted and sounded like a quarterback who feels completely in charge. And he still sees a very good team around him, not a team whose 6-3 record is some mirage. He also seemed determined -- again, in his own way -- to set a tone for this week. Manning said it's no mystery why the Giants lost to Dallas. It was the same old fixable things that led to their other defeats: Mistakes and penalties and turnovers killed them, none worse than the goal-line interception he threw when Hakeem Nicks didn't finish his slant route and Dallas took it the other way for 101-yard touchdown. Nicks knows better now. Manning -- not just Coughlin -- immediately made sure of that. But when someone asked Monday if Nicks reacted well to the criticism, Manning seemed slightly amused at the suggestion it had been anything but a one-way conversation. "He listened," Manning said. It wasn't long now before everyone else had pretty much left Manning's locker. As Manning started to finally head for the door, he was asked if he'd seen Patriots quarterback Tom Brady rip into his offense on the sideline during a lull in the Patriots' big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, and Manning said, "Yeah, I watched some of it." Has he ever gotten that mad on a football field? "Sure," Manning said. But you just choose not to show it? Manning smiled and stopped. He couldn't leave without correcting his mistaken assumption too. "They don't always catch me on film," he said. http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/columns/story?columnist=howard_johnette&id=5811086 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Spoken like an elite quarterback. The guy had horseshit at Ole Miss, and yet he had his team in every game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppodlesny Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 he''ll be fine, they have to stop making these stupid mistakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 If Nicks finished his route on the pick 6, and Beatty didn't get called for a false start on the 5 yard line we'd have gone into the lockerroom at half time up by 5 and it would have been a completely different game. Sloppy play lost us that game and I expect the regular, focused G-Men to hit the field on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Giants seem to be more disciplined on the road....more focused. At home, it's almost like they are trying too hard in order to please the crowd. Vick has put together a couple real nice games, but Eli can play too. And if Vick runs, he's fair game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksm7 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Spoken like an elite quarterback. The guy had horseshit at Ole Miss, and yet he had his team in every game. the dog wonders why you don't stop beating around the bush and just get down and provide little eli with oral favors already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 the dog wonders why you don't stop beating around the bush and just get down and provide little eli with oral favors already... The dog is being overly abrasive here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 the dog wonders why you don't stop beating around the bush and just get down and provide little eli with oral favors already... I'm disappointed, Dog. Despite widespread criticism from others, I thought you were a witty guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBLUE01 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 the dog wonders why you don't stop beating around the bush and just get down and provide little eli with oral favors already... No Nas, the dog is being a complete fuckin douchebag here. Same ole dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksm7 Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I'm disappointed, Dog. Despite widespread criticism from others, I thought you were a witty guy. oh please. what in this article supports him being an "elite" qb? he is an intelligent adult who gave short succinct answers to basic questions asked, and this makes him elite? the dog is just saying, you constantly are justifying your support for his status even when it doesn't make sense. it boarders on uncomfortable at times.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Giant Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I wouldn't blow him, but I'd let Eli sleep with my wife. If I had a wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 oh please. what in this article supports him being an "elite" qb? he is an intelligent adult who gave short succinct answers to basic questions asked, and this makes him elite? the dog is just saying, you constantly are justifying your support for his status even when it doesn't make sense. it boarders on uncomfortable at times.... only if your life is empty.... (btw, it's borders- boarders are people who live with you, but why would you know that?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 oh please. what in this article supports him being an "elite" qb? he is an intelligent adult who gave short succinct answers to basic questions asked, and this makes him elite? the dog is just saying, you constantly are justifying your support for his status even when it doesn't make sense. it boarders on uncomfortable at times.... My reference to "elite" was meant as a humorous nod to prior debates we have had on the subject of Manning. I was not expecting a sophomoric response on your part; again, perhaps I had granted more credit than The Dog was due. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksm7 Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 only if your life is empty.... (btw, it's borders- boarders are people who live with you, but why would you know that?) the dog was wondering when you might come sniffing around again. thank goodness you are here to assist in checking spelling...etc...the dog isn't sure what else you bring to the table, but at least you have that, and the dog for one appreciates it. now run along, somewhere in the general discussion section someone misused the word "their" and needs your help! and you think the dog is sad...too funny you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Thanks to this thread I can now add the words "boarders" and "sophomoric" to my vocabulary. Carry you on you infidels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 the dog was wondering when you might come sniffing around again. thank goodness you are here to assist in checking spelling...etc...the dog isn't sure what else you bring to the table, but at least you have that, and the dog for one appreciates it. now run along, somewhere in the general discussion section someone misused the word "their" and needs your help! and you think the dog is sad...too funny you are. it's funny to you that people are sad and it makes you uncomfortable when someone praises a QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksm7 Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 it's funny to you that people are sad and it makes you uncomfortable when someone praises a QB. just to clarify, the dog finds your uncontrollable urge to jump in on everyone elses behalf and offer little more than spelling corrections (all you can muster) to be sad...the dog is uncomfortable with joe's obsessive praise for an athlete and his need to be sure everyone feels the same... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted November 21, 2010 Author Share Posted November 21, 2010 it's funny to you that people are sad and it makes you uncomfortable when someone praises a QB. just to clarify, the dog finds your uncontrollable urge to jump in on everyone elses behalf and offer little more than spelling corrections (all you can muster) to be sad...the dog is uncomfortable with joe's obsessive praise for an athlete and his need to be sure everyone feels the same... that doesn't look like a spelling correction to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Seems you have a problem expressing yourself. I would say one who refers to himself as a dog also has self esteem issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 ...the dog is uncomfortable with joe's obsessive praise for an athlete and his need to be sure everyone feels the same... I'm not sure where the Italian Sausage got the idea that I feel everyone needs to agree with me on Eli Manning. Kindly furnish a quote where I demanded allegiance to Eli Manning, and I'll retract my comments. As far as the Sausage's comfort is concerned, given the general tenor of your posts, a suppository might be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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