Steve Serby

Steve Serby

NFL

Jets’ defensive stud doesn’t think much of Eli, Giants

The Giants won the Snoopy Bowl, but that doesn’t mean they should be in any hurry to call themselves The Best Team in New York.

Star-in-the-making Sheldon Richardson is certain the better team in 2014 resides inside the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.

“This year, yeah,” the tell-it-like-it-is Defensive Rookie of the Year told The Post.

Based on what you saw Saturday night, this is the better team.

“If you’re saying if this was a real game and the 1s were out there, I think it would have been a pretty different game,” Richardson said. “It wouldn’t even be close.”

Even with the young quarterback?

“Geno [Smith]? Even with the young quarterback,” Richardson said.

The Giants have a two-time Super Bowl MVP at quarterback.

“What does that mean? What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately league, that’s what it’s called,” Richardson said.

Oh, and Andre Williams, who labeled the Giants “The Real New York Team” beforehand, didn’t look much like a real NFL running back in the first half, according to Richardson.

“He was scared,” the refreshingly-honest Richardson said. “I’ve seen him play at Boston College. Didn’t run the same. He was scared, man. He did his thing against the 2s and 3s though, I give him that.”

He was hesitant? “Yeah. Tiptoeing a lot,” Richardson said.

Eli Manning’s ongoing struggles with Ben McAdoo’s West Coast offense were difficult to miss until the 11-play, 91-yard touchdown drive before halftime.

“Got some kinks to work out, you can notice that stuff, little stuff like that — it’s to the point where he don’t trust his offensive lines that much, ’cause he’s watching the rush,” Richardson said. “Little stuff like that.”

That’s big stuff, though, isn’t it?

“Somewhat,” Richardson said. “Trusting offensive line, yeah that’s big, but new offense, new calls, and the way we send blitzes, it’s kinda rough,” Richardson said.

Asked what he thought of the Giants in general, Richardson said: “The 2s and 3s kept it going for ’em, picked it up a lot for ’em, but yeah, the 1s got a lot of work to do,” Richardson said.

The difference was more than just up front.

“Just saying that offense couldn’t handle our defense, period, not just offensive and defensive line,” Richardson said.

“They got around the edges a few times, but other than that, pretty much dead the whole night when we [the starters] were out there. The referees thawed ’em out too a little bit with not giving us our interception, but it is what it is.”

Manning still found a way to get his team into the end zone on that drive.

“Momentum swings happen,” Richardson said. “A few penalties in their favor.”

Richardson does think complete back Rashad Jennings (67 yards rushing, including a 23-yarder, on 13 attempts) will help the Giants.

“I like him,” Richardson said. “He was patient. Let his holes develop. Made us hold our blocks a little bit longer.”

Calvin Pace recognizes that offenses are vanilla by design in the preseason. “I do think they were trying to establish the running game, which is what the Giants have been doing forever,” Pace said, “which, I think is good for their team. I think they got two running backs that fit what they’re trying to do.”

Asked what he thought of Jennings, Pace said: “I like him. I think he’s a very good back. Runs hard, can break tackles, got some speed. I think he’s gonna do some damage for ’em.”

And the rookie? “He’s gonna be a good player,” Pace said. “He runs hard, and downhill.”

The linebacker is confident teams will have trouble on the ground against the Jets.

“I like the way we match up with anybody, man,” Pace said. “I think it’s gonna be real difficult for teams to just legitimately run the ball down the field.

“In this day and age, let’s be real — nobody really is that committed to the run anymore. I think that day is gone. It’s just a passing league, it’s almost college. Everybody wants to put up 5,000 yards in a season. It’s the changing times.”

Manning and the Giants, Snoopy Trophy notwithstanding, are trying so hard to change with them.