Eli Reaction

By Ryan G. Murphy

A viewer named Paul sent me this email Monday morning:

“After watching [Sunday's] debacle it’s easy to come to a conclusion about Eli’s capabilities.

But not taking this game into account your assesment clearly speaks for itself. Eli is very consistant and that’s the ‘bad’ thing. You would think that after three years there would be some kind of improvement and I for one have not seen it yet. Mediocre at best.“

Paul has a great point – particularly after last week’s blog – Manning’s yet to show significant improvement. Looking at the numbers, Eli Manning and Phil Simms are virtually the same player through 50 games in their careers. The problem with this is that Simms had virtually no weapons – Manning has a ton.

This upcoming weekend against the Bears will speak volumes as to where the Giants – and Manning – are headed this season. Let’s all cross our fingers.

Talk to me about the Giants. Email me at ryan.murphy@nbcuni.com

Eli Manning: Good Or Just Average?

By Ryan G. Murphy, WNBC.com

To my dismay the other day my dad said that Eli Manning is just an average quarterback. Statistically speaking he was dead on.

In the 2005, 2006, 2007 seasons – each of which Manning was the starter the entire year, he ranks an average of 17th among QBs when considering:

Category——————–2005————-2006————-2007

Completions——————9—————-10—————-9

Completion%——————-31————–21—————-21

Yards————————5—————–11—————–13

YPC————————–17—————-28—————–24

TDs————————–4 —————-4——————9

INTs————————31—————–28—————–24

Rating———————-23—————-18——————19

Average =—————-17——————-17——————-17

Based SOLELY on the fact that there are 32 teams in the NFL (thus assuming 32 QBs) Manning is statistically just below the average rank of 16. The other thing to look at is that he’s ranked EXACTLY 17th each of those three years. At least he’s consistent.

My contention was that Manning was not just an AVERAGE QB, but rather a GOOD QB. Considering statistics alone, I am wrong. I’d say a good QB should, on average, rank among the top 12 in the league, at least.

However, the X factor here on why I think Manning is a GOOD QB is WINS.

The Giants record in the three seasons Manning has been the outright starter is 26-16.

2005: 11-5
2006: 8-8
2007: 7-3

Total: 26-16

The Giants made the playoffs in 2005 & 2006. Granted they never got past the first round, but they got there, and if things continue as they have for the Giants in 2007 – they’ll be there again. Twenty-six wins and counting says a lot about a young QB.

Until Manning’s numbers start to fall AND the Giants show a trend of losing based on Manning’s performance, #10 is not just an average QB.

Email me at ryan.murphy@nbcuni.com with your thoughts.

Live Gameday Blog: Finally!!!!!

By Ryan G. Murphy

If anyone can tell me why Kitna threw the pick to end the game I will buy them a soda.

Hint: the reason rhymes with gressure.

Double hint: see every other blog I wrote about the Giants defense today

Why was this so difficult? I need to rest. More thoughts this week.

Live Gameday Blog: Mission – Put Game Away, Take 4

By Ryan G. Murphy

Lions have the ball with just over a minute left. This is the fourth time the Giants will try to put this game away.

Live Gameday Blog: Butler Picks Kitna

By Ryan G. Murphy

After one of the worst personal-foul penalties I’ve seen called in a while, James Butler picks Kitna off in the endzone after Detroit gambled and went for it all.

That’s what you’re going to get from a risky Mike Martz offense…

Detroit has 3 timeouts left with 2 minutes to go.

Here’s take 3 on putting this game away.

Live Gameday Blog: 3 & Out

By Ryan G. Murphy

Giants go 3 and out on the biggest drive of the game. Lovely.

Live Gameday Blog: Lions Right Back In It

By Ryan G. Murphy

Since the Giants put ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE on Kitna, the Lions are right back in this game with the Giants leading 16-10. Why are the Giants only using the front four to get to Kitna? Are we sitting on the lead? Use what works! Get at Kitna.

It’s time for Manning to step up now and put this game away.

Why is it almost NEVER easy?!

Live Gameday Blog: Not What We Wanted But It’s Points

By Ryan G. Murphy

Giants did a nice job driving down to the Lions’ 10-yard line with a chance to put the game away, but ANOTHER drive stalled. Three points is better than none, though. Tynes connects from 20 to give the Giants a 16-3 lead.

We know the Lions are going to come out passing here, so we HAVE TO, HAVE TO get decent pressure on Kitna. Another pick and this game is just about over. It’s important that the Lions don’t get any points on this drive with the clock working against them now.

Live Gameday Blog: Jacobs Out

By Ryan G. Murphy

Brandon Jacobs will not return to the game after a hamstring injury.

Live Gameday Blog: A Little Breathing Room

By Ryan G. Murphy

Tynes connects from 46. No, really. Another Giants drive stalls, Jacobs leaves the field with an injury. Can we please just put these guys away? There’s no reason for this.

Giants 13, Lions 3