It is not All About Eli, but it certainly is A Whole Lot About Eli.
It is no coincidence that the worst season of Eli Manning’s 10-year career corresponded with the Giants’ first losing season since Manning was a rookie. He goes as the team goes? The team goes as he goes? As they like to say in “Agents of Shield,’’ it’s all connected.
As the highest-paid player and face of the franchise, Manning has his own demons to slay as he attempts to cure what ails him. He must get healthy following arthroscopic ankle surgery. He must learn the brand-new playbook crafted by first-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo as Manning is ripped out of his comfort zone. He must stave off the inexorable effects of age — he’s 33 now — and he must self-analyze his performance with a critical eye to rid his game of as many of those awful, desperate back-foot throws as possible.
The Giants have an obligation here too, as the personnel department let Manning down by allowing the offensive line to deteriorate and the ball-handling talent around him to dry up.
The recently completed NFL Draft needed to address several leaks and fissures, cracks that weakened the foundation of the Giants. Three of the first four picks added offensive players — receiver Odell Beckum Jr. in the first round, center Weston Richburg in the second and running back Andre Williams in the fourth — a determined effort to thrust Manning back into his groove.
“We’re trying like heck,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said. “I think we have a weapon with Odell on the outside. We think he’ll help in respect to that. We think we have a center who we think can help, so yeah. We’ve got a big running back you can hand the ball to. Hopefully those things can help him out and get [Manning] back on track.’’
Mixed in with the veteran offensive linemen Reese signed in free agency, plus solid running back Rashad Jennings, the 2014 draft class should give Manning a fighting chance to rise up the league’s quarterback efficiency chart.
Maybe Beckham becomes a faster version of Hakeem Nicks, forcing opposing defenses to pick their poison with Beckham streaking on the outside and Victor Cruz darting on the inside. Maybe Richburg becomes the centerpiece of an offensive line akin to the one Manning had in 2007, smart, crafty and tough. Maybe Williams, at 230 pounds, is the punishing presence to go along with Jennings’ consistency and David Wilson’s flash to form a latter-day version of the Earth, Wind and Fire backfield — Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw — that in 2008 led the NFL in rushing.
Something has to inject the glow back into Manning’s aura. Newer, fresher faces have emerged at quarterback as Manning, entering year No. 11, tries to prove he’s got a strong closing act before the curtain goes down.
Of course, to the kids coming in, he’s still Eli Manning, two-time Super Bowl champion, younger brother of Peyton, son of Archie. Football royalty.
“It’s kind of crazy, I was just watching the Mannings the other day and now I’m going to have a chance to be snapping to the guy,’’ said Richburg, a four-year starter at Colorado State. “To be able to learn from a guy like that as a rookie is priceless, and I’m really looking forward to being around him and learning from a pro like Eli Manning.’’
Beckham already has a connection to Manning, being from New Orleans and attending Isidore Newman High School, where Eli went and starred. In fact, Beckham and the oldest Manning brother, Cooper, are the only two receivers in school history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Beckham caught passes from both Eli and Peyton at the Manning Passing Academy.
“I remember walking through the school and seeing his jersey, along with Peyton and the Mannings as well,’’ Beckham said. “Every single day it was just kind of motivation to me. I threw with them a couple times, so I know exactly what he has in store and what he has to offer. I’m really looking forward to getting back together with him.’’
Manning is on the mend and although he won’t be seen much during the spring workouts, that doesn’t mean he will be a bystander. He’s already taken a snap or two, but there will be no heavy lifting until training camp.
“We’ve got about a dozen medical eyes watching him and he’s just getting better and better,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “I expect after three days’ rest, he’ll come in on Monday and be doing jumping jacks.’’
After seeing what Beckham, Richburg and Williams can do for him, Manning might be inclined to add a cartwheel to those jumping jacks.