With all 12 stitches removed from the 3 inch gash above is left eye, Eli Manning is ready to play Saturday against the Ravens.
"“It’s not hurting. ‘s closed, so as long as I don’t get hit today, I should be all right.”Also returning to action against the Ravens will be running back Brandon Jacobs, who had been sidelined with stiffness in his neck.Among the Giants who are not expected to play against the Ravens are cornerback Aaron Ross (plantar fasciitis), wide receiver Ramses Barden (stress fracture in his lower back) and safety Michael Johnson (injured disk in his back). [via]"
Tom Coughlin said of Eli’s production yesterday when he returned to practice:
"“He looked sharp. I liked his tempo right away. He got the ball out of his hand quick and made some real good decisions and so we’re glad to have him back on the practice field.”"
Coughlin also echoed Eli’s sentiment that he’ll be good to go Saturday as long as there are no complications to his injury.
"If everything goes according to plan, yes. [via]"
We learned pretty quickly last Saturday against the Steelers that without the Giants first team playing with their starting quarterback Eli Manning, the offense is nowhere near as productive or efficient. Short and quick passes were off the mark, opportunities were missed all over the field, and there was little rhythm established from the offense as a whole due to the lack of execution. Without Eli at the helm, the Giants offense looked hopelessly predictable at best, dysfunctional at worst. The only silver lining – it’s preseason.
Personally, the fact that Eli is fired up has me fired up. But I think Manning should not try to get himself in harms way too much, or too early this Saturday. It would behoove the Giants and Manning if they stuck to working the ball around with short passes, timing patterns with 3 and 5 step drops, screens to keep the defense off a consistent rush, and with Jacobs, Bradshaw and Brown all ready to play the running rotations should be on full display. OC Kevin Gilbride, check out Sean Payton’s play calling from their Houston game the other night. Very little of their success in the first few drives had anything to do with Brees or his laser like accuracy… it was the play selection. The calls were simple, effective, and most importantly dynamic. The Giants are capable of calling that kind of game, they did it against a Washington Redskins defense last year at the end of the season. It was a masterful display of play calling and execution… and call me crazy but I want to see it Saturday night.
So hey Giants – show everyone your hand, have confidence in your offense — become an expansive force to be reckoned with.
In short, if the Giants establish a dynamic series of modest plays from the outset that each garner a high probability of execution, Manning’s injury will be better for it. The Giants will be better for it. And it will prove once and for all that the Giants first team have the tools and talent to run with anyone in the NFL, even up against the very best defenses in the league. The Ravens won’t know what hit them.
[Photo: Injured New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning practices without a helmet Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
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