New York Giants: Teammates Stick Up For Eli Manning

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is coming under fire for his performance in recent games but his teammates have stuck up for him.

The New York Giants have fallen on tough times in recent weeks. After starting the season 2-0, they are now riding a three-game losing streak. Odell Beckham Jr. was the center of attention at the beginning of the losing streak for his outbursts on the sideline and the field.

But, after a loss on Sunday Night Football to the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Eli Manning is now the target for the Giants’ struggles.

Manning has been unable to find his stride in 2016. He has completed 63.6 percent of his passes, a good number, for 1,385 yards, five touchdowns. and four interceptions. The lack of touchdowns is eye catching, but Manning has not been strong. On Sunday against the Packers, Manning missed a number of throws that he normally makes in his sleep.

It had a big impact on the game, as it could have changed the tide for the Giants. He missed Beckahm Jr. near the sidelines on a throw that would have extended a drive and overthrew Will Tye for what looked like an easy touchdown. He constantly threw behind and low to Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, as he was skittish in the pocket.

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The offensive line has struggled at times, which seems to have caused Manning to get jittery in the pocket even if there isn’t pressure coming. It has caused some inaccuracies, and now people are blaming Manning for the Giants struggles.

Blaming Manning is not something that his teammates want to hear. Beckham Jr., who has had his own issues dealing with outside criticism, stood up for Manning.

"“I think when things go wrong, everyone needs something to point at, and it’s easy to point the finger here and there,” wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said. “But internally, between all of us, we all need to play better; we all need to do things to make it easier on (Manning), make it easier on ourselves — everybody needs to step it up.”"

Beckham Jr. was not the only teammate to speak up. Running back Rashad Jennings, who has missed the last three games because of injury, also spoke up, sticking up for his quarterback. Jennings’ injury is one of the reasons the Giants’ offense has stalled, as Shane Vereen was lost for the season in his first game out.

"“Eli’s a tremendous quarterback,” running back Rashad Jennings said. “He understands the position; a lot of times, the success and failures, the most critics go to the quarterback. But quarterback ratings, and stats, are collectively attained stats, so we have to play better. It’s not all on one person, at all — especially Eli.”"

The stats aren’t great, but they aren’t horrific. Had the Giants been able to take advantage of opportunities presented to them against the Washington Redskins or Packers, people wouldn’t be as outraged.

But, Manning’s inability to put the team on his back against better teams has some people questioning if he is in decline. Manning has been unable to carry the team to victory against an above average team it seems line in years.

But, Jennings does not want to hear people talk about Manning being in decline. At 35-years old, Jennings believes Manning still has plenty left to help the team.

"“Listen man, whoever says that… it’s just an immature statement,” Jennings said. “He’s not on the decline at all. Eli’s a tremendous quarterback, and we’ll continue to win with him. And so, obviously, we’ve had losses; he has big shoulders, and being in a locker beside him for three years, he always takes on (stuff), and look at himself in the mirror first. But we can’t do that to him. No. It’s definitely the team. The offensive side of the ball needs to step it up.”"

Jennings returning to the lineup would certainly help get the offense back on track. But, ultimately, things fall on the shoulders of the quarterback. They are recognized when there is success and picked apart when there are struggles.

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We have seen Manning be productive, and with the talent around him, there is no reason he cannot be again. The offensive line has to perform more consistently, but Manning has to play better if the Giants want to turn their season around.

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