Much has been said over the last 24 hours about the Giant stinker at the Meadowlands. Many people believe the play calling was awful. The media lynch mob thinks poor play calling cost the Giants the game. I disagree.
Here are three passing plays in the first half where Eli was off the mark. If he makes good throws, I think the Giants would have scored touchdowns.
At the start of the game, a spectacular 65 yard kick off return by Ahmad Bradshaw sets up the Giants on the Eagle 35 yard line. On the Giants first offensive play of the game, Eli Manning throws deep right to a wide open Steve Smith. Manning throws a wobbler which unraveled and was off the mark. If he hits Smith in stride, the Giants are leading 6-0. I think a very good play call. Manning did not execute. The Giants settle for three points.
At the 13:11 mark of the second quarter, the Giants have a 3rd and 7 on their 49 yard line. Out of the Shotgun, Eli has Steve Smith wide open. Eli makes a good throw however it is too long and out of the reach of the sure handed Smith. If he hits Smith, the Giants are inside the 10 yard line. Giants have to punt.
After the Giants score a safety, they get the ball back. Trailing 7-5, the Giants are driving for a potential score. On the seventh play of this drive, the Giants face a second down and 10 from the Eagle 28 yard line. Eli has Domenik Hixon open inside the five yard line. Because Eli's pass is low, Hixon cannot make the catch. This is another wasted opportunity. Carney misses from 46 yards. The Giants get no points. On the radio, Giants sideline reporter Howard Cross stated Manning did not throw a tight spiral. Carl Banks kept stating the receivers are getting behind the Eagle defenders. They are doing their job. Unfortunately, number 10 was inaccurate.
If Eli is accurate with his throws on these three plays, I think the Giants win this game.
3 comments:
I agree 100%. More disturbing is that Eli has demonstrated he cannot throw the ball into or with the wind. Not a very good trait for someone who plays in Giants stadium. Indeed if during the super bowl year the Giants had a playoff game at home, there likely would have been no super bowl with the Giants in it. Is it not too late to add a dome to the new Giants stadium? I would.
I find it funny when people keep giving Eli excuses with the downing of Plax. What Giants games are they watching? Did they see Eli's tendency to overthrown, underthrown, and throwing behind the receivers? Most media keep trashing Toomer's age, Hixon's inexperience, and Smith's just a "possession receiver" at best. However, I've watch every play of every Giants game and I must say the Giants receivers are usually open majority of the time, and Eli couldn't deliver.
Rewind the last Eagles loss (playoffs), Gilbride had the plays called RIGHT - the Eagles was expecting the rush and Gians called quick outs, Smith and Toomer was open all first quarter, and what did we get? Incomplete, incomplete, incomplete. Eli needs to learn how to throw accurately, how to throw into the wind, and how to throw period. No more excuses.
Well stated.
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