Perhaps no other quarterback in the NFL is more perplexing than Eli Manning. One minute he can dazzle you with a scintillating fourth quarter comeback -- we've seen him do it in two Super Bowls -- but the next minute he'll have you throwing your hands up in the air after a boneheaded interception. He runs hot and cold like no other signal-caller in the league.
Last season was a bit more of the latter. Manning threw the eighth most picks (14) and ranked 19th in completion percentage (63.1) and 15th in passer rating (92.1). It wasn't an awful season for Manning by any stretch, but New York's offense was middle of the pack and the Giants finished under .500 for the second consecutive season. However, there is reason for hope in 2015. A full season with Odell Beckham Jr. and a healthy Victor Cruz will be a headache for opposing defenses. Larry Donnell will hopefully continue to develop. Rashad Jennings and free agent addition Shane Vereen should combine for a quality one-two punch in the backfield. I know the offseason is a time of optimism for every team, but Manning himself even believes that big things are coming this year.
The New York Post asked him if he is expecting his best season in 2015 to which he replied, "I am. I like the guys we have in the locker room, I like our talent, I like how everybody's approaching this season, I'm looking forward to it.
"Yeah....I feel healthy, I feel good, feel confident in the offense, so I'm excited."
Saying and doing are two very different things. Everyone speaks of potential and confidence during the offseason, it doesn't mean they are going to be able to follow through. But Manning is setting specific goals for himself this year that are within reach given the weapons around him and the (hopefully) improved blocking up front.
"You try to kinda set the goal I think for 70 [percent completion] for each game....It doesn't have to be for the whole season - yeah, if you have it for the whole season, that's great, that is a goal," Manning said.
Another goal is to keep the turnovers to a minimum.
"Yeah, single-digit interceptions, and 4-1 ratio touchdowns/interception. Hey, it's wins, it's getting to the playoffs, that's the real goal. It's important to have goals if you think those things lead to more wins and to better play and to more points, and that's what you're trying to do, but it's really about winning games and playing well down the stretch and in the clutch, and having those Ws."
We've seen Manning have stretches of brilliance and stretches where you're just not sure what he's doing out there. Will a second year in Ben McAdoo's West Coast offense and better health at the skill positions lead to a monster year for the veteran QB? Giants fans are certainly hoping so.
