LONDON – Eli Manning could not have envisioned returning from his first European business trip having passed for a paltry 59 yards – lousy even with the exchange rate – and exhibiting greater prowess with his legs than his arm.
Manning was 8 of 22 in Sunday’s 13-10 victory over the winless Dolphins at Wembley Stadium. Despite a quarterback rating of 44.9, he was heartened that for the first time this season he did not throw an interception.
“I didn’t play well,” Manning said. “I had my share of bad throws and misses.”
He also knew he was not alone when it came to offensive ineptitude on the muddy grass field.
“We kind of had a little bit of everything,” Manning said yesterday morning before the Giants chartered back home. “I had some bad throws; guys were slipping down, we had some drops.”
Despite the struggles, Manning sounded pleased to be a part of this historic event, the first NFL regular-season game played outside North America.
“I look at it as helping the NFL try to expand this game to a broader range,” he said.
A few players managed a bit of sight-seeing late Sunday night after the game. Defensive lineman Justin Tuck got to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.
“They looked like they do on TV,” he said.
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Lawrence Tynes hit two field goals, but his third attempt was a 29-yard miss. He insisted his plant foot slipped “18 inches” on the wet grass, sending the kick wide left.
Tom Coughlin viewed the tape and did not agree.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if Tynes slipped. “It just looked like he really over-compensated for his footing; he yanked the ball.”
Despite Tynes’ difficulties, Coughlin offered a vote of confidence.
“He’s been our kicker for the first eight games; we are 6-2,” he said. “There have been some disappointments, but we’re sticking with him.”
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Plaxico Burress, playing despite a sprained right ankle, is looking forward to finally getting some real rest.
“My goal is to get treatment this week and all of the following week,” he said, “and hopefully I can get out there to practice Wednesday or Thursday going into the Dallas week.”
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Get the feeling the British fans didn’t understand some of the nuances of the game? The jeering and booing when Manning was taking a knee in the final minute was one tipoff.
In The Times of London yesterday, the game story stated: “The Giants elected to run down the clock rather than risk any further entertainment.”