New York Giants

Eli Manning feels benefits of entering second year in Giants' offense

Published Jun. 8, 2015 8:29 a.m. ET

foxsports

One year ago during the New York Giants' OTAs, quarterback Eli Manning was tasked with learning a new offensive scheme after having spent 10 seasons in two different offenses that were very similar and also very different to the new one he was learning. To make matters more complicated, Manning was slowed by last offseason's ankle surgery, and his repetitions were limited. Manning followed up by having one of the best regular season's of his career under offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. After posting a 30:14 touchdown to interception ratio and a career-high 63.1 completion percentage, it's safe to say that McAdoo's quick-hitting system suits Manning's skill set better than Gilbride's long-developing vertically-oriented system ever could. With a full offseason unimpeded by injury, Manning expect to help take the Giants' offense another step forward in 2015.

“It was important having this last month – watching the film, talking a lot about the mechanics, the footwork, being able to go outside with him and working on a lot of drill work,” Manning told Dan Salomone of Giants.com during the second set of OTAs. “A lot of it is stuff I wasn’t able to do last year. I was coming off the ankle surgery, I had a new offense – of lot of things going through the mind, trying to figure out concepts.

“This year, I understand the concepts. I’m still working on it, but I’m concentrating on the footwork and the mechanics and the timing of everything. It was great to have that this year and kind of get back to the basics of everything. I feel comfortable, I feel real good right now.”

Manning is working with a deck missing several cards so far during OTAs. Projected starters Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr. and Larry Donnell are all missing time due to various injuries. The Giants are also testing out their first attempt at an offensive line without Will Beatty--their starting left tackle who tore a pectoral muscle in early May. This version has rookie Ereck Flowers at left tackle and career journeyman Marshall Newhouse at right tackle. Because Manning is working with so many moving parts, the extra offseason repetitions should really help as he prepares for his second season in McAdoo's offense.

(h/t New York Giants)

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig