Eli Manning

15 reasons Eli Manning and McAdoo will save the Giants season in 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

With a fair start to the 2016 season, there are at least fifteen reasons Eli Manning and Ben McAdoo will save the Giants season.

Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

1. Eli Manning demonstrated in the first two games of the season his ability to defeat highly ranked teams

In Week 1 and 2 the Giants ranked highly on any Power Ranking you could get your hands on. This was due to an offense that outscored Dallas by a point, something that a former 6-10 Giants team could not accomplish, or so pundits thought. The Giants lost four straight games in the preseason, admittedly which never means much for the outcome of the regular season, was certainly an omen.

Then Big Blue beat New Orleans against a highly ranked offense that included Drew Brees who consistently leads in quarter back ranking.

The potential was there for anyone to see. It was a matter of carrying this positive momentum into the next games against Washington and Minnesota, which failed. Eli demonstrated he can win games against highly ranked teams. He can save the Giants season by tapping into the early-season potential and finding ways to take advantage of the offensive splits. In third down situations, the Giants gain the necessary yardage most of the time even if it is by inches.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) and linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (91) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2. McAdoo’s coaching adjustments will become present as the season continues

McAdoo is always conscious of his team’s need to be prepared for the next game. Adjustments to the roster have already been made with a new corner back from the practice squad ready to take the bad apple of the team for last leek, Eli Apple.

Whether it is a fireside chat to the press about the Giants tattered secondary or the oak of equity in turnover ratios, adjustments will be made by Week 6. Compared to Week 5, rumors speculate that you can expect to see a Giants offense with more life in situations in which it formally seemed ineffectual and powerless.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) drops a pass during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

3. Manning has the requisite years of experience to overcome the most challenging obstacles later in the season

Eli has been in the league for many years and knows that his offensive line must protect him to be able to buy time to scan the field for open wide recievers. He knows how strong defensive lines can cause him to rush his and throw interceptions or way off target.

Each week Manning is studying from the week’s before and is not hoping to have any of his players come to his rescue; Eli is his own best savior.

In the first two games he passed for 575 yards and helped primarily Jennings Vereen rush for 316 yards. The game against the Cleveland Browns will be a quiz for Manning’s ability to win games closer to the season’s end.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) changes the play during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

4. McAdoo’sc coaching philosophy will take at least five weeks to settle in

McAdoo is a new coach. That part is acknowledged for quite some time. Since Coughlin stepped down as head coach, McAdoo has been deliberate in his leadership of the team, not being a law and order guy, but not letting his players get off the hook too easily. Eventually, players will demonstrate a fiery eagerness that comes from within to stay in games, as coaches in other sports have opined. Staying in games and not letting them unwind in the last quarter is what sets apart a playoff bound team from a losing squad.

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

5. Manning will find a way to be on the same page with Odell Beckham eventually

Now that the dust has settled with Beckham’s theatrical displays on the field and a rebellious attitude more typical to a Colin Kapernick, Manning will be able to work with Beckham on the field to generate more yardage and conversions.

Strategically speaking, this will in turn leads to an offense that maintains possession of the ball a higher percentage than the opposition and will further enshrine Beckham as tone of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

There is a learning curve that has to occur whenever a talented player’s strength, zeal and passion become distraction; time will allow the Manning-to-Beckham relationship develop soon enough.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

6. McAdoo’s disciplinarian attitude will become closer to Tom Coughlin’s as the season progresses and will lead to improbable victories based on players keeping their cool

McAdoo was the offensive coordinator under Tom Couglhlin was privy to more than one could imagine when it comes to one-on-one meetings with players from the crack of dawn until dusk. Coughlin was famous for treating every player like a member of his family and literally became the in-laws to his offensive line position players, David Diehl.

McAdoo is liable to demonstrate similar mentorship and continue to hold tone torch of being a personal advisor to players in need of guidance in times of desperation. Whether it is discipline, suggestions, or other advice requiring deeper insight, McAdoo has the know-how after working with Coughlin for the last several seasons to find ways to be more approachable to his players.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tight end Will Tye (45) attempts to catch a pass as Washington Redskins linebacker Will Compton (51) defends during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

7. Manning’s offensive line will learn to work with him when Eli relies on his intuition of the defensive line’s plans

Manning will likely make better use of his offensive line following the outbursts of Weston Richburg against Washington in Week 3. Applying good football IQ, Eli will work on improving his ability to anticipate pass rushes and find better ways to gain yardage in times wen he is most needed.

Because Manning is a careful student who can apply his professional resume as New York’s leader of the Big Blue for so many years, he will develop a better grasp of when to dump the ball off to Will The and when to try more creative players involving Sterling Sheppard, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham.

8. McAdoo will think of creative ways to utilize his offensive and defensive coordinators to correct past mistakes in Week 6 onward

McAdoo does not settle for failure. This is what made him special to Jerry Reese and other advisors for the Giants organization when hiring a new head coach. His offense in 2015 showed inspiration, adaptability and a wise amount of self-admitted fallibility.

Even with a 6-10 finish, the Giants saw in McAdoo an ability to prepare as well as it was reported that Vin Scully took to prepare before games.

You can expect Big Blue to be prepared each week. That is what the Giants got in the bargain for McAdoo.

9. Manning will profit from his coveted ability to stay unrattled by bad publicity after losses in Weeks 3 through 5

The New York media grills Big Blue for their faults and ignores their strengths. That is the nature of playing in a big city such as New York in East Rutherford’s Metlife Stadium.

Yet it seems as though Eli says all of the right things when fielding question storm the press not becoming rattled when criticized most recently for his dead average 199 yards passing performance in last Sundays’ loss against Green Bay.

Unlike the widely publicized Flowers’ overreaction to bad publicity, Manning has the maturity and experience to stay true to himself and figure out problems for himself.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls a play at the line against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

10. Manning will find ways to make effective use of Victor Cruz using OBJ as a diversion in the secondary zone

11. McAdoo will have an easier time against teams with similar rankings this season such as Baltimore, Los Angles an Philadelphia.

The teams that lie ahead are Baltimore (3-2), Los Angels (3-2) and Philadelphia (3-1). These are teams not as strong as the undefeated Minnesota Vikings or historically troublesome Washington Redskins.

McAdoo’s strategy will prove more effective as McAdoo faces being an offensive coordinator and an assistant to the head coach of the Packers. In short, teams that are similarly ranked will not be a challenge as long as McAdoo works hard at making sure his players are prepared for these three similarly matched teams.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

12. Manning will soon be able to rely on a strong running game by late November when Shane Vereen returns from surgery

Shane Vereen was injured badly, but Vereen will return just in time to allow Manning to have a fourth option to the trio of wide receivers. Prior to his injury against the Redskins, Vereen rushed for 67 yards and allowed the team to come almost within one score of winning the game.

Vereen’s presence against a current (0-5) Cleveland Brown team will provide a boost to the teams overall confidence. This would take pressure of Manning’s hesitation when it does to deciding whether to hand off the ball to Paul Perkins or Bobby Rainey.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; The New York Giants huddle in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

13. Manning will make good use of the no-huddle offense to give his team momentum in games that appear unwinnable to make great advances down the field into scoring territory

In Week 3’s loss against the Redskins 29-27, McAdoo presided over a no huddle offense that allowed the team to reach the Redskins’s redone in close to half the time Kirk Cousins and company could reach the Giants’ red zone.

The no-huddle offense is effective, as it does not allow the opposition adequate time to conceive of a proper formation to prevent large gains. This forces the opposition to become over proactive of the redone territory which has the potential for mistakes made of out over-anxiousness of the secondary.

Manning displayed initiative, inspire of his loss, by single-handedly leading his offense from the 24 yard line to within ten yards of the opposition’s goal line. These drives are cause for enthusiasm not concern.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

14. McAdoo has a no-quitter personality that prominent politicians have been praised for having

Much like our soon-to-be elected states persons who exemplify leadership qualities and winner-takes-all approaches, McAdoo engenders that spirit by taking every loss as an inevitability of the game of football and not begin content for these past three weeks. A fair inference to draw from McAdoo’ latest statements published in the newspapers indicates that the Giants lackluster performance will not prevent them from competing and staying in games.

If you could say anything positive about McAdoo thus far, it is his sincerity and steadfastness that says

“Yes, we lost. But tomorrow we will learn from our mistakes and hopefully not fall into any of the opposition’s traps.”

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) catches a touchdown pass over Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

15. Manning does not let losing records affect his confidence to win the next game or final games of the season out of a ability to live in the present

As his Pro Bowl games demonstrated, Manning has proven that he has an ability to make a serious run for the playoffs even after suffering defat.

This is part of the reason that Manning is such a fan-favorite after all of these years in the league. Although he may appear hesitant at times, fans trust that he will find a way to make the best use of his team in the next game and defy all the odds.

Oct 25, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the NFL game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Other factors: history is on Giants side and opponents will underperform this season

Other teams are suffering more severe crises in their coaching staffs and quarter back starter. Baltimore is looking like it is falling into a rut as the days for their aching staff were apparently numbered. Per Zach Links of Pro Football Rumors, losing a coach mid-season historically is not an indication of success.

This comes at a time when the Giants need any competitive advantage they can muster. So long as they Giants stay reasonably repaired and avoid unnecessary injuries to their offensive line or secondary, the chance is quite good that Manning and MAcdoo can redeem a team that is on the verge of another collapse into mediocrity.