Eli Manning has started only one regular-season game against the Ravens, and it came back in his rookie year. It was his fourth NFL start and it was the worst performance of his career, as he completed only four passes for 27 yards, threw two interceptions and registered a quarterback rating of 0.0 in a 37-14 loss in Baltimore.
Asked what he recalls about that nightmarish showing, Manning yesterday said, “Just struggling, but again that is a long time ago and I have a lot more experience and have had a lot better times than that day.”
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He sure has. Manning on Sunday will go against a Ravens defense ranked No. 2 overall in the league, first in run defense and ninth against the pass. No one should worry that Manning bears any scars from his rough rookie outing.
“This team has come a long way and I have come a long way since ’04,” Manning said.
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis acknowledged that Manning “has made some great improvements,” but insists no quarterback is immune from getting rattled.
“You can get into any person’s head if you get after him and really start confusing him and start hitting him the way they don’t want to get hit,” Lewis said. “I don’t care if you’re a rookie or a veteran. If you let any defense get after you the way our defense is predicated on getting after people, it can be a frustrating day.”
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Starting the workweek without the top cornerback in action isn’t the way the Giants wanted to gear up,
but that’s the way the week began, as Corey Webster was sidelined with a strained groin. Webster was
injured in last week’s 36-31 victory over the Eagles, but he was able to return and finish out the game. He was
sore afterward, though. The hope/plan is that Webster will be ready to practice today. “That’s what we’re
counting on,” Tom Coughlin said.
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The injury list is longer than usual for the Giants. S James Butler (knee) and CB Kevin Dockery (back) participated only in the individual portion of practice. LB Jonathan Goff (concussion) was held out of practice and LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) also missed practice.
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The Ravens could be without WR Derrick Mason, the team leader in catches (46) and receiving yards (598). Mason suffered a dislocated left shoulder in last week’s 41-13 victory over the Texans, but was able to return
to the game. He will not practice this entire week, though, and is a game-time decision. “I think right now if I can play, I’ll play,” Mason said.