New York Giants: Parlaying Manning’s strengths means victory

Last Sunday, the winning result said it all for New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Yet why do NFL analysts and fans still focus on his individual statistics?

According to Pro Football Reference, the veteran signal-caller went 25-29 for 297 passing yards and two touchdowns versus the Houston Texans. The result became a 27-22 New York Giants victory on Sunday in Texas.

It was the best effort for Eli Manning in the short tenure of new head coach Pat Shurmur. But watching the game, Giants fans didn’t need stats to show Manning played well. Everything passed the “eye test”.

But don’t expect an 86 percent completion rate of 132.3 quarterback rating each week.

These positive numbers may be outliers, but further improvement with Manning appears possible, if not likely, for the remainder of the season. And results may not show up statistically for Manning, but rather in the win column for the New York Giants.

Why?

Because for the first time in more than four seasons, the New York Giants weren’t trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. There was a palpable comfort level to Manning’s game.

Like it or not, and believe it or not, Manning’s greatest success as a professional was with Kevin Gilbride as his offensive coordinator. Like any other coach, Gilbride’s success waned when his schemes became too predictable, and more importantly, his offense wasn’t given adequate personnel with which to work.

In came Ben McAdoo, and the always popular, West Coast Offense, to save the day.

The advent of the West Coast Offense came when head coach Don Coryell threw the rock all around the ball yard in the old American Football League. It was later popularized by head coach Bill Walsh, who won Super Bowls with Joe Montana was his quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s.

Do you think that there would be a need for the West Coast Offense if Joe Montana had a cannon?

In that respect, the marriage between Montana and Walsh highlighted the player’s strength, Montana’s great vision and quick decision-making ability, through Walsh’s innovative play-calling.

All quarterbacks are not the same

One particular area where Ben McAdoo was adamant centered around his philosophy about completion percentage – it should be 70 percent or more.

"Then, in Nov. 2016, he famously stated that “stats are for losers”, according to NJ Advance Media."

If that’s the case why was running 70 offensive plays a game so important? Why is completing 70 percent of passes critical?

Truthfully, every NFL becomes a contest that first tests the will and game-planning of each team. After that, the contest centers around tweaks and adjustments by the respective teams.

A winning NFL strategy remains the ability of the coaching staff to put their players in the best position to succeed.

Getting back to Manning, that thought rarely reared its head during the McAdoo years. The infamous “11” personnel package was validation that it was my way or the highway for McAdoo. Ironically, McAdoo also curiously wanted to a “physical” offensive line in order to play a spread offense (instead of an athletic line).

In addition to lacking logic, the “11” personnel grouping never going to played to Manning’s strength because, at heart, he’s a downfield pocket passer, who can stretch defenses. Manning never was a fit for a total West Coast Offense, and even as a veteran, he does force the ball on occasion.

Yet McAdoo utilized the “11” personnel grouping nine out of every ten plays.

Now with rookie Saquon Barkley in the backfield, getting Manning under center more frequently, can mean more success for the New York Giants offense.

Former NFL player and current analyst, Brian Baldinger, shows the benefit of Manning being under center and using Barkley as a decoy:

Remember, Manning was drafted in 2004, which now appears to be two iterations ago of NFL offenses. If Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman have committed to Manning for at least two years, then this offense has to be tailored to suit Manning’s strengths.

More from GMEN HQ

• Workout clip of Evan Neal training with former All-Pro OT has Giants fans excited
• NFL Draft Schedule of Events: How to Navigate Draft Weekend
• 4 NY Giants who must step their game up in 2023
• This SEC CB at No. 25 overall for the Giants is gaining steam
• When is the NFL Draft?

Ironically, this regime cut back-up QB Davis Webb because he was too spread-offense centric (i.e.- not comfortable under center). They were probably correct that Webb’s continued adjustment to a pro-set would have taken too long, so better to cut losses now.

Finally, playing to Manning’s strengths also plays to the skill-sets of Barkley and Odell Beckham too. Key on Barkley, and we’ll stretch the field with Beckham. Roll safety coverage to Beckham and we’ll get Barkley the ball in space.

Last Sunday, it was refreshing to see a throw back to the old days of New York Giants offense. Heck, there was even a seam route to tight end Rhett Ellison for a touchdown.

Today, there are no more seven-step drops in the NFL, but still the threat of the deep ball needs to be part of the repertoire. This will open up more running lanes for Barkley.

Overall, let’s not worry about a 70 percent completion rate, or running 70 offensive plays. Let’s have multiple personnel packages, with a fullback at times, or four wide receivers at other times (like third and long). Let’s throw some seam routes to the tight ends. And let’s get Manning under center. Diversity keeps the defense guessing.