Training camp is here and another season of football is just around the corner. With the New York Giants ready to embark on another hopeful run toward the Lombardi Trophy, I will analyze the team and present my top 10 players on the Giants’ roster. Rookies have been excluded as they bear no body of work yet in the NFL.
No. 1: Eli Manning
Position: QB
Age: 32
Seasons with the Giants: Ten (drafted in 2004)
2012 in Review: Having proved that he was, in fact, an elite quarterback, New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning had much to prove again in 2012. The detractors were still out in full force and they wanted to see the former No. 1 pick again perform the magic he did en route to his second Super Bowl triumph.
Unfortunately, Manning was not quite up to par. His production slipped and, passing for less than 4,000 yards for the first time since 2008, the Giants missed the playoffs.
Of course, the team’s struggles were not all on their 32-year-old captain. Top receiver Hakeem Nicks was hampered by a season-long battle with injuries, the offensive line was underwhelming at times and the rushing attack finished dead-last in the league. And that’s just on the offensive side of the ball.
Overcoming those obstacles would not have been easy for any quarterback. But Manning still managed to push the Giants to a 9-7 record — matching their standings of the previous year when they went to — and won— the Super Bowl. It was not enough this time, however, and the ball club never had the chance to defend their title.
Outlook for 2013: Who else would ultimately receive the brunt of the pressure in 2013 but the quarterback himself? Fortunately, he handles it well.
Manning is entering the 2013 season surrounded by the strongest cast of offensive weapons in his football career. With guys like Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, David Wilson, and newcomers Brandon Myers and Louis Murphy; the Giants’ offense has the potential to be one of the most potent units in the NFL.
The 10-year veteran has made strides each year to improve, but does not accept the team’s failure to make the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. He’s focused with what he says is “something to prove” to himself and his teammates.
The last time Manning was focused on proving something — i.e., claiming to be amongst the elite quarterbacks in the NFL — he helped guide his team to their second Super Bowl championship in five seasons.
The G-Men aren’t willing to crown themselves as champions, but they do have a countdown clock to Super Bowl XLVIII in their locker room. It’s clear that this season is essentially Super-Bowl-or-bust. Manning will be the greatest factor in determining how far the Giants go this season.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.