This season it seems the Cowboys will put their QB under the microscope for all to analyze, pick at, prod, and poke.  Is Tony Romo a winner? Is he an ELIte QB?  Some of his stats seem to indicate that he is.  Some of his actions seem to show otherwise.  According to  teammate Jason Witten he is one of the best there is.

 “There’s been some great quarterbacks who have come through that organization. You look at Roger Staubach and Troy [Aikman], and the expectations are Super Bowls. He’s a phenomenal, cool quarterback. He’s an elite quarterback. But until we win the big game, the criticism is going to come. We understand that, and we have high expectations. Tony is a phenomenal player and a phenomenal player for our football team.”

The emphasis on quarterback play in the NFL is at it’s highest point ever.  Almost no one speaks of team chemistry, or the ability to exploit their opponents weaknesses.  In this world of fantasy football, all that is mentioned each week is the amount of yards gained by the QB, and the number of TD’s he throws.  Forget defense, forget the running game, forget the key play executed or not executed in a game….it’s all about total stats.  Cowboy fans may want to point out TD’s vs interceptions, or total yards, but it’s the timing of those interceptions, and the meaning of the TD’s scored that really counts.

I wish Tony and the Cowboys well…..the debate will rage all year, and if they fall short of the playoffs, or the division crown, or a playoff win…..it will continue on into the future.

1. How has the addition of Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram impacted your offense this year?

When Reggie Bush was traded to the Miami Dolphins the immediate question was how would the Saints replace his versatility in the offense?  The answer came just hours later — Darren Sproles — and the common consensus is that he is a better inside runner than Bush, a better return man, and in general a better fit for the New Orleans potent offense. He has become an outlet for quarterback Drew Brees on third down and their chemistry has helped not just Sproles, who leads the league in yards after catch, but Brees who is so far having one of his best statiscal passing seasons of his career. Rookie Mark Ingram hasn’t been a let down, but at the same time he hasn’t had the breakout game we all expected. He is however a tough, physical inside runner who displays a knack at getting those tough yards that the Saints have struggled with in seasons past.

2. Why is it that your team and in particular your QB plays so well at home?

Historically the Saints have been among one of the NFL’s winningest teams at home in the Sean Payton era. Reasons are numerous — faster artificial turf, raucous Superdome crowd — but in the simplest terms, the New Orleans players love to play for their Who Dat Nation, and equally Who Dat Nation loves cheering for Brees and company. Put it all together, and it seems that the players perform just a little better, while opposing teams play just a little worse.

3. The Giants have developed a good passing offense.  Victor Cruz in particular seems to have a knack for beating the best CB’s in the league.  How do the Saints plan on stopping the Giants aerial assault?

It’s a pertinent question, and Cruz has been enjoying great success as of late, but it seems as if he is benefiting from the attention Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham usually command.  Anyone that watches the Saints knows that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams likes to blitz. He is not afraid to lock up his corners in one-on-one coverage with opposing receivers so that he can bring the house. Philosophy dictates that the Saints will use the blitz to slow Manning, to slow Cruz, and the other Giants receivers. It wouldn’t surprise me either if Williams matches Jabari Greer, the Saints best cover, exclusively on Cruz. Greer is a top cover corner in the league, top five in fact, and he just doesn’t get beat for big gains down the field.

4. If Jonathan Vilma does not play Monday night, how does that impact your defensive game plan and pressure on Eli?

Vilma is a huge asset to the Saints defense without question. But, in New Orleans they deploy a “next man up” mentatlity, meaning of course that regardless if your a backup or not you leave it all on the field. Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has taken this to heart as Vilma’s backup. He has played very well, in fact some would say he has played as well as Vilma himself. so the defense shouldn’t miss a beat.

5. Does the modern Saints fan still have the respect and love for Archie and the Manning family?

That’s a trick question really as you would likely get a different answer from most Saints fans you asked. Archie helped the Saints achieve moderate success after so many terrible seasons. However, he was never able to deliver what fans really wanted — a Superbowl championship. While fans thank him for his accomplishments, current quarterback Drew Brees has erased most, if not all, of Manning’s legacy as a Saint — including all of his franchise records too.

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This is one of the most valuable games you’ll ever see for a quarterback who neither passed nor ran for a touchdown. He did, however, convert four of eight third-down opportunities (including two defensive pass interference penalties). He also had four 20-yard plays, including a 60-yard catch-and-run to Hakeem Nicks in the second quarter. Opponent adjustments also play a part here. The Bills had intercepted at least one pass in every game this year, and 10 in the past three weeks, but Eli managed to keep the ball out of their hands. On the other hand, the Bills have only four sacks on the year. It’s not like Eli was running from Bruce Smith all day.

The Bruce Smith comment aside — Eli played one hell of a game. No picks, no turnovers, and nearly 300 yards of offense through the air with several pin point balls to receivers delivered on a frozen rope for big gains. He had a tremendous outing even though he didn’t throw for a TD. So did the offensive line for that matter. No sacks, great pass protection, and they really stepped up this game after a few weeks of severe scrutiny from the NY media and blogosphere — this site included.

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Talk about turning things around.

Last year he was towards the bottom…. this year he leads the pack with almost 10% points between him and the anointed best and most elite QB ever to play the game – Tom Brady.

Passing Under Pressure – Accuracy Percentage

Rank Name Team Att. Comp. TA TD INT Acc. %
1 Eli Manning NYG 35 20 4 3 0 71.00
2 Josh Freeman TB 38 25 1 1 1 70.30
3 Matt Cassel KC 20 10 5 0 1 66.70
4 Drew Brees NO 44 24 3 1 1 65.90
5 Alex D. Smith SF 34 18 2 1 0 65.60
6 Matthew Stafford DET 42 17 11 1 1 64.50
7 Chad Henne MIA 43 24 2 2 2 63.40
8 Andy Dalton CIN 23 9 4 1 0 63.20
9 Kevin Kolb ARZ 44 20 9 4 2 62.90
10 Tom Brady NE 36 18 4 2 0 62.50

Combined with his league best 139 QB rating in the 4th quarter — it looks like you can’t spell ELITE without Eli!

VOTE HERE

Check out the video of all the nominee’s accomplishments:

[via NFL Videos]

[Stokley] caught passes with at a summer camp back in Louisiana in the mid 1990s — Eli Manning.

“I have caught from Eli since he was in high school at the Manning passing camp,” Stokley said Thursday after finishing his first practice with his new team. “I have known Eli for a while. You could tell way back when he was going to be a special quarterback and I think he has proven that.”

Stokley is the type of receiver the Giants (0-1) have needed since losing Steve Smith to free agency last month. He is a possession specialist who plays the slot.

It seems like this move is staring to make more and more sense with each passing (pun) day.

Here is how ESPN characterizes Eli heading into the 2011 season:

Manning completed 15-of-30 passes for 200 yards with two picks in Monday’s preseason game against the Jets. We won’t overreact to a pair of turnovers in a preseason game, but it’s a reminder that Manning’s 4,002 passing yards and 31 TD passes last season were accompanied by a league-high 25 picks.

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Now I had Eli last year on my roster as a starter, and at times he looked like the biggest sleeper in the game as far as qbs go. But the INTS killed. As a result, the Giants are going to really force Manning into better situations this year with some scheme changes.

Here are some thoughts on how they’ll do that:

1. The check down. I expect the Giants RBs to have a seriously stellar year in 2011. More designed screens, more checkdowns, more passes caught out of the backfield by necessity. Eli WILL look to the RBs more this year, force things a lot less. He must…

2. Different threats will emerge. Smith and Boss are out. Beckum and Hixon are in. The thing I point to with Hixon is that he’s a good slot receiver that can double as a deep threat. Slant, slant, slant, and then go…. That’s the way I see Eli utilizing Hixon as a weapon. First possession, then Hixon turns it up and get behind the defense when they least expect it. Smith NEVER could develop this facet and thus was too one dimensional. The Giants will look to Hixon and backup slot WR Victor Cruz to open up the offense to their advantage deep down field, but at the right times.

Beckum MUST become a Dallas Clark type of TE. The way that happens is with play action and Beckum chipping and getting out into space quickly with Eli taking his shots to the outside away from the heart of the defense. Beckum is small but quick, over the middle crossing routes will be reserved for Pascoe and Ballard, extending plays, where they can use their height to their advantage. I see a lot of both passing options from Giants TEs this year, but Eli really is comfortable along the seams of defenses toward the outside — and last year we saw glimpses of how this could be exploited with a bit of deception and commitment to getting Beckum the ball. I look forward to seeing it more in 2011.

3. Something to prove. Eli for better or worse called himself an elite QB — now it’s time to show the pundits he’s better than the criticism suggests. I see another 4,000 yard 30 TD year for Eli with far less INTs en route to another playoff appearance for the Giants.

As far as fantasy moves go:

Eli will hang on the bench for me week 1 until he returns home for the Metlife Stadium week 2 Monday Night game against the Rams. He always seems to show up big for these prime time games, and I predict that to be his first really decisive performance of the year. Not to mention, the Giants really love to run the ball against the Redskins and that will take points away from Eli week 1.

Best bet for playing Eli will be after managing the first game in Washington conservatively on the ground.

The Offense:  The Giants moved the ball very well against the Jets. Now the Jets are not very good against the run, as Pittsburgh proved last year in the playoffs, but they are a top defensive team in the league and it was a good measuring stick.  Brandon Jacobs looked solid and ran committed.  He ran over a few Jets on his way to 51 yards on 10 carries, and more importantly ran well in short yardage situations.  This also shows the O-Line is starting to come together and working as a unit.  The receivers however, as a whole, look confused.  Hakeem Nicks made some nice catches against a very good secondary, and Mario Manningham was open a few times, but Eli failed to make the throw, and this is where the problem lies this off-season.  I think Eli has had to take too much on his shoulders what with a new O-Line, in particular a new center, and new receivers.  On certain plays Monday night Eli seemed to have to speak to every player on offense individually.  he would call the protections, then move the backs, then look at each receiver, then try and get people to move or go in motion at the proper time.  While I think Eli is a good Qb, he is going to need help as the season progresses.  I think some of these receivers are doing a great job, but at times they forget where they are.  They have taken penalties for illegal motion, illegal formation, they have not read blitzes correctly, and have run some bad routes.  It is all part of the growing pains of playing in the NFL, but these guys are going to need to step it up, become professionals, and be consistent on every play.  Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz, Devin Thomas, and Domenik Hixon are going to have to contribute something for this sesaon to be a success.

The Defense:  This will be another strong unit this year.  Even with the loss of Terrell Thomas, the Giants proved the other night that they are deep enough and talented enough to be a top defensive team this year.  Aaron Ross continues to play like he did his rookie year.  Antrelle Rolle quietly, well quietly for him, has moved to the nickel corner in passing situations and looked good on Monday night.  The defensive line has learned to get pressure using just the 4 linemen, and that is a big key to success.  If you can rush a QB in this league using just the four guys upfront, your chances of success go way up.  Of course the addition of Osi and “The Prince” down the line will only improve this unit.  The much maligned linebacking core has even looked good this pre-season, and will continue to improve as we move forward.  Giant fans love their Defense, and this unit will make you proud this year.

Special Teams:  And now for the bad news.  Wow, as good as they seemed to look the week before, that’s how bad they looked this Monday night.  A step back for most units.  The punt return situation has remained the same….awful.  As a Giant punt returner your main job has always been to secure the ball first and foremost.  That became a major challenge Monday night.  I think Thursday night will be a test for some young players, and some veterans, to see what we can accomplish in this area.  I am hoping it was just an off night by a young player trying to impress. We will see. Kickoffs will be returned by Devin Thomas, and he will be a major upgrade over the 17 yard average from a year ago.  The punting competition continues, and the health of Lawrence Tynes will determine who the place kicker will be.

So, Thursday night will be a last ditch effort by some players to show something, but I imagine the final 50 if not 53 has already been determined.  Stay tuned to GMENHQ.COM for all roster moves when they are announced on Saturday, and as always, enjoy the game!