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New York Giants Eli Manning, Ereck Flowers Didn’t Miss A Snap In 2016

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 25, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass in the 2nd quarter as New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (76) blocks Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass in the 2nd quarter as New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (76) blocks Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and left tackle Ereck Flowers both played every snap on offense in 2016.

The New York Giants were able to qualify for the playoffs this season to end a four-year drought. A big reason they were unable to qualify in past seasons were injuries throughout the roster.

The injury bug seemed to bite the Giants often during the four years they missed the postseason. With their lack of depth, the Giants were unable to overcome injuries to starters and key reserves. The injuries derailed the Giants those seasons, but 2016 they were a much healthier unit.

Two players stick out specifically for being healthy; quarterback Eli Manning and left tackle Ereck Flowers. Both Manning and Flowers played every offensive snap for the Giants in 2016; 1,062 snaps to be exact.

For Manning, this is nothing new. He is the iron man of the NFL, starting 199 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Manning is third all-time in consecutive starts, trailing only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. A big reason for Manning’s health is that he is rarely hit.

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According to ESPN, Manning had a contact rate of 5.0, the lowest in the NFL in 2016. Keeping a quarterback clean is the easiest way to staying healthy. That is probably a number that will surprise a lot of Giants fans as the offensive line was problematic all season.

Atop the problems along the offensive line were Flowers’ struggles. Flowers had a difficult rookie season in 2015 transitioning to left tackle. He was selected as the left tackle of the future, projected to slide into the right tackle position as a rookie and learn the NFL. But, an injury to Will Beatty expedited the process, putting Flowers at left tackle right away. Adding to the problem was an ankle injury that plagued him all season.

But, an injury to Will Beatty expedited the process, putting Flowers at left tackle right away. Adding to the problem was an ankle injury that plagued him all season.

The Giants and Flowers hoped 2016 would be better, but he showed no improvement in his play. He was constantly beaten by defensive ends, giving Manning no time in the pocket. Manning not missing a play all season is rather impressive with some of the pressure that he faced from opposing defenses throughout the season.

While Flowers will probably shift to the right side of the offensive line, it was encouraging to see him stay on the field for every play. Many fans would have probably preferred him to land on the bench at some points, but it is an impressive feat to be on the field for every play of a grueling NFL season.

Manning and Flowers are two of only 34 players in the whole NFL to play every snap for their team. 26 of those players play on the offensive line, along with four quarterbacks, one linebacker, and three safeties.

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All of these players deserve recognition. With the ever evolving NFL game of specialty packages rarely does a player stay on the field for every snap in a game, let alone a whole 16-game season. Those 34 players were able to accomplish the feat with all of them playing at least 1,004 snaps.

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