Posts tagged EliManning at FanHouse

FanHouse NFL Season Preview: New York Giants - The Title Defense Begins

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Who would have thought a year ago that the perception of Eli Manning would have changed so drastically? That's what happens when you win a Super Bowl. But can you really expect Manning to be as precise as he was during that improbable championship run? Either the light finally went on for Manning, or he simply found a zone. Or a combination of the two. Last year was a step forward, for sure, but I expect Eli Manning v.2008 to resemble something in between the lows and highs of the two Eli Mannings circa 2007. Still, that's good enough to win games. What isn't good enough to win games is David Carr, the team's new backup, so Manning better stay upright for all 16. Heat Index: 7

Running back: The Giants found out exactly how critical depth at running back is, and they also found out that they luckily have it. Great contributions came from Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward, and Reuben Droughns. Danny Ware will likely take Droughns' place this year, but the team is still set in the backfield. Jacobs' combination of speed and power is pretty unstoppable, and while punishing backs don't typically have long shelf lives, Jacobs is in his prime now if he stays healthy this year. Heat Index: 8

The World is Raving About Domenik Hixon

It's the preseason, which means it's the time when players unknown to everybody except us nerds do well against other unknown players who might or might not have the talent to play in the NFL and everybody gets all excited, thinking that their team really did find a gem in that running back sitting sixth on the depth chart because he averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the fourth quarter of a preseason blowout.

But Domenik Hixon is different. His incredible performance in front of a national audience last night -- four catches, 63 yards, two touchdowns, and an 82-yard touchdown on a free kick return -- came in the first quarter against a good amount of Browns starters.

Hixon, who also ran a kick for a touchdown in last season's Week 17 game against the Patriots, was in the opportunity to make such plays because the Giants have four wideouts ahead of him injured.

An impressive, entertaining performance, to be sure. But overzealous fans should still curb their enthusiasm. Hixon won't be usurping Plaxico. But he has earned himself more looks from Eli Manning this season, which is all you can ask for when you're near the bottom of the depth chart.

Giants' Andre' Woodson Hopes to Avoid Getting 'Mittens-ed'

At some point, roughly a year ago, Andre' Woodson was considered a possible first-round pick. But as the college season progressed, and NFL teams got a closer look via offseason workouts, the Kentucky quarterback began to slip down draft boards.

And come the actual April draft, Woodson ended up going to the Giants in the next-to-last round. Not exactly how he envisioned it. In any event, he's in New York, and like most rookie quarterbacks, is having something of an adjustment to the professional game:
...Woodson is under no illusion about how much command he has of the Giants New York Giants offensive playbook.

"Right now I don't have the best understanding of it," said Woodson ... "This system is very detailed, it's difficult to pick up, and they've thrown a lot at me. That's the most frustrating thing; there is so much offense that you want to learn, but if you don't have a great understanding or feel for it, it can show in your play."
With Eli Manning firmly entrenched as the starter, there's no rush for Woodson to master an entire offense, but there is some urgency when it comes to making the final 53. It looks like Anthony Wright will be Manning's backup and the No. 3 job will be between Woodson and Mittens.

While there's no shame in spending a year or two on the practice squad to hone your game, the psychological damage of losing a quarterback battle -- even as the backup to the backup -- to David Carr can be irreparable.

Whatever, Woodson will see his first preseason action tonight against the Browns.

Need Consistency? Look Elsewhere

We've already discussed the pillars of consistency, and now we're gonna go in the opposite direction.

Please understand the point of this exercise ... this is not an "avoid these guys" list. There's a difference between "inconsistent" and "sucks." The players you'll see on here are listed because they are good or even great fantasy performers. They also showed -- in 2007 or more -- a propensity to mix in very bad games with the good ones. The point of listing these guys is to serve as a reminder that for every Maurice Jones-Drew you'd like to have a consistent player alongside him like Peyton Manning. You load up with a team full of these guys and, sure, you'll have the occasional 120 point week. You're also in danger of a 55 point week. Balancing with consistent guys keeps you safe for when you get bad MJD and puts you in position for a monster week when you get good MJD. I guess that's as good a segue as any ... here they are, the poster-boys for fantasy inconsistency:

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jags
Look, I love him. Little guys that pack a big punch (seriously, watch this) are so fun to watch and give us little guys everywhere someone with whom we can relate. But here's the thing, you can't count on him to carry your fantasy team on a weekly basis. Sure, he'll have the outbursts like this one ... or this one ... but the carries just aren't there for him to be counted on for a weekly 15-point or more showing.

Eli Manning Graces the Cover of Men's Vogue and Professes His Love of Spaghetti-O's

No, check that. It's spaghetti and Oreos that Eli Manning loves, according to the upcoming issue of Men's Vogue, something I didn't know existed. But it does.

And Eli is all over it come September, when the magazine will reveal a photo shoot that, should you still consider him Lil' Peyton, definitely change your mind about what a non-momma's boy man's man he really is.
A moussed-up Eli Manning is the cover boy in the September issue of Men's Vogue, offering a glimpse at his oft-hidden sense of humor and his game day menu: Spaghetti, Oreos and Gatorade.

The typically reticent Manning, 27, is known to teammates as a prankster. One of his favorites: parking alongside a lineman's car with just inches to spare, forcing his 300-plus pound protector to climb behind the whee; via the passenger's side.
Oh-ho-ho. Actually, that is kind of funny, and I typically enjoy doing it to random people at the grocery store.

But no individual prank is going to make me jump on the "Eli Has Arrived!" bandwagon. And no mugshot of him with gel in his hair and a New York skyline is going to do it either. Plus, it's not like the Giants are hurting for incredibly good looking and photogenic quarterbacks at this point. What they need is a leader.

And yes, I know they just won a Super Bowl. But I'm still not believing. Although that black steel look above is pretty tough to not trust.

Via W/L

Now Favre's in New York Too? Can Eli Manning Catch a Break?

You know how there is always a movie where some guy just has bad luck and no matter what he does ... it isn't as good as someone else close to him?

Imagine Giants' quarterback Eli Manning. Dude just won a magical Super Bowl in the NFL's biggest market and he won't be the QB with the most attention in his home stadium! Brett Favre is a New York Jet and will get tons more coverage and attention from everyone than Eli.

Never mind that the last time either player was on the field, Favre threw a season-killing interception against Eli's Giants ... while Eli led an amazing drive to pull off one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets.

Good thing it is Eli since this just adds to his already "Charlie-Brown" life.



Ahmad Bradshaw Apparently Enjoyed Incarceration More Than Most

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw might've come into the league as a seventh-round afterthought, but he got the full-on Eli Manning-after-winning-the-Super Bowl treatment during his 30-day jail stay earlier this summer. Well, at least from the correctional officers; the inmates, presumably more interested in doing their time and getting on with their lives, were less impressed with the world champion backup running back gracing them with his presence.

According to the Bristol Herald Courier's Michael Owens, Bradshaw got the star treatment to keep him safe while incarcerated.
Stardom earned the Super Bowl standout a spot in a maximum-security wing to keep him segregated from the rest of the inmates, both jail sources said. "One guard did tell me, 'He's a football player. We're going to keep everyone from him,' " the inmate said.

Much of the grumbling over Bradshaw's preferential treatment focused on the extra meals and daily workouts – four hours a day of recreation time instead of the customary one hour afforded other inmates.
Apparently, extra meals go to pregnant inmates, which is worth keeping in mind if Jared Lorenzen ever finds himself behind bars (too easy?).

So, yeah, it sounds like Bradshaw could be the beneficiary of his lofty status as a professional athlete, but here's the thing: this is jail. Everything's unfair. As long as the inmates aren't being abused or neglected, I really can't get too worked up about this. Is it ideal? No. But neither is picking up the soap in the shower.

Hat tip: PFT

Colts Sign Jared Lorenzen to Back Up Another Manning (Oh, and to Be Big)

Over the last few years, Jared Lorenzen has backed up Eli Manning in New York. Now he has signed on to try to win a job backing up Eli's older brother in Indianapolis.

The Colts have signed Lorenzen (who in that picture looks like Jaws from the James Bond movies) to fight for a third-string quarterback job.

Peyton Manning will miss the preseason after knee surgery, so the depth chart will actually matter for the first time in a decade. Jim Sorgi has been Manning's backup for a while now and should be entrenched in that #2 spot. However, there will be a battle for that third string.

The Colts also brought in Quinn Gray, which may be only to steal some information about the rival Jaguars before the team sends him on his way. The team already has Josh Betts and undrafted free agent Adam Tafralis.

About this time in any blog post about Lorenzen, we get to real off his nicknames making fun of his weight. Enjoy.

Hefty Lefty ... The Pillsbury Throwboy ... Round Mound of Touchdown ... The Tank ... The Abominable Throwman ... He Ate Me ... and J Load.

UPDATE: Both Betts and Tafralis have been let go by the team since Lorenzen and Gray signed. That should mean that Gray and "the Abominable Throwman" will have a free-for-all for that third QB spot. Manning and Sorgi are locked in at 1-2.

ESPN's List of NFL's Indispensable Players Doesn't Add Up

Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com threw up his "Ten Most Indispensable Players" to their teams which has a few surprising names. A quick rundown:

  • 1-Tom Brady, Patriots
  • 2-Peyton Manning, Colts
  • 3-Terrell Owens, Cowboys
  • 4-Adrian Peterson, Vikings
  • 5-Antonio Gates, Chargers
  • 6-Albert Haynesworth, Titans
  • 7-Brian Westbrook, Eagles
  • 8-Joe Thomas, Browns
  • 9-Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
  • 10-Eli Manning, Giants

Let's start at the bottom: Eli Manning? I know we were all impressed by his playoff run, but you do remember the Giants looked very bad towards the end of last season, right? To me, the Texans' Andre Johnson, Panthers' Steve Smith or, Broncos' Champ Bailey are more list-worthy than Eli.

Not to dump on him, but he had a 32.2 QB rating in a win over the Bills and a 44.9 QB rating in a win over the Dolphins. His two highest QB ratings during the regular season? Both losses. That means he can suck and the Giants still can win football games. Doesn't seem very indispensable to me.

That brings me to Adrian Peterson ...


NFL: Why Is Eli Manning Nasty?

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

In this exclusive video we talk to members of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants about the upcoming season. WR Steve Smith shares with us something about QB Eli Manning that may surprise you. Also hear why people keep asking RB Brandon Jacobs if he is Jewish. Around 2:15 into the video find out from former Giant Michael Strahan who is the funniest player on the team.


AOL Video link. Youtube link.

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