New York Giants Eli Manning Lands On NFL Top-100 List
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the first member of the team to land on NFL.com’s Top-100 Player List of 2016.
The New York Giants have come up short on the field in recent seasons, as they have missed the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, the last three of which have been under .500. But, the one thing that has been consistent throughout this time is that Eli Manning was under center playing quarterback.
Manning has been under center for every game since he took over for Kurt Warner the final nine games of his rookie season in 2004. Manning has had some turnover riddled seasons, most recently in 2013 when he led the NFL with 27 interceptions, which was also his career high. But, the last two seasons Manning has gotten things back on track under Ben McAdoo.
Getting back on track has landed Manning on NFL.com’s Top-100 Player of 2016 list. Manning comes in at No.47 this season after being unranked in 2015, and he earned a spot on the list.
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Manning is one of seven quarterbacks to be named thus far, finishing ahead of Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr, Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck, Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins, Kansas City Chiefs Alex Smith and Jacksonville Jaguars Blake Bortles. The only quarterback currently ahead of Manning on the list is the player he was traded for on draft day 12 years ago; Phillip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers.
Manning has seen a renaissance of sorts under McAdoo, as he had one of the best seasons of his career in 2015. Manning threw for a career-high 35 touchdowns, completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,436 yards.
What makes those numbers so impressive is that Manning did it without much help from the running game, and an offensive line that was shaky at times. Also, Manning had very little to throw to outside of superstar Odell Beckham Jr., as the tight end position was ravaged by injuries and Victor Cruz missed the entire 2015 season.
Manning has seen his production sky rocket in the last two seasons with McAdoo as offensive coordinator, and the Giants are hoping that continues now that McAdoo has taken over as head coach. He has some more weapons at his disposal now, as Sterling Shepard was selected in the second round and the Giants added running pack Paul Perkins and tight end Jerell Adams with their final two picks. Also, Cruz is getting healthier and looks like he could return to the field this season.
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With more weapons and a familiarity with the system, Manning should continue putting up stellar stats for a Giants team that is looking to rebound. Will he be joined by any more of his teammates on the Top-100 List? We will have to wait and find out, but there is a good chance his favorite target will join him eventually closer to the top.