GarageGabs

It appears that the heat from the New York media might be getting to the New York Giants, who are in the midst of a 3 game losing streak, and host Dallas in a crucial NFC East matchup this weekend.

First, you’ve got Jeremy Shockey mouthing off at every given moment about anything under the sun.  His latest was last week when he mentioned that there was “no way in hell” the Cowboys could beat the Giants if the Giants were playing up to par.  Dallas is reportedly using the quote as bulletin board material.
Then you’ve got Tiki Barber complaining to the media that he doesn’t get the ball enough.  Apparently,  Coach Tom Coughlin pulled Barber aside and discussed the matter with him.  To think, all this time we thought Barber was a quiet guy that kept his mouth shut.  Now, twice in the past year he’s called out his coaching staff.
Finally, today, Michael Strahan shows that the stress is getting to him when questioned about Plaxico Burress quitting on plays. You REALLY, REALLY, need to watch the video on this page, Strahan is obviously pretty stressed out, but I also think it speaks volumes on the media’s role in how things are portrayed.  Strahan even mentions that the media wants to put a negative slant on things just so it is news.  Hey, anything they can do to stress out the giants is fine with me.

What I’m wondering is why we haven’t heard from wonder boy, Eli Manning yet?   Manning has been noticeably absent from most of the talk surrounding the imploding G-men, which could be a good thing….or is it?  I just get the impression that the entire team is imploding on itself while they all try to protect Daddy’s boy, Eli.  Why hasn’t there been talk of Eli slipping into another late season slide….just like he did last year.  Remember, Eli started off last season on fire with a 14-5 TD/INT (and an 84 QB rating) ratio in the first 8 games, only to finish the season with a 10/12 ratio (and a 69 rating).  Manning started off this season pretty well also, with 13TD & 8 INT in his first 6 games, but has thrown 7 INT and just 4 TD in his last 5 games.  What’s the deal with Eli?  Quarterbacks usually improve with experience, but Eli seems to get worse as the games get more important.  Early in the year, he looks like his brother, standing in the pocket, making clutch throws, then as the weather gets cold he reverts back to the mistake prone, bad decision making, Eli.

I realize Eli plays on a team slam full of veteran leadership but I think he could save this sinking ship; not only with his play on the field, but with his actions in regard to the media.  I will give him credit for taking most of the blame for his mistakes (I heard him interviewed after the Jacksonville loss, he was humble) but maybe a pissed off Eli could help the team.  Maybe an Eli acting like Michael Strahan would help the New York Giants?  The way it is now, we hear everyone complain, except the man that distributes the football.  It’s almost as if Manning tries to walk a fine PR line so as not to ruffle any feathers.  That can’t be a lot of fun.  Imagine the amazement if Eli were to stand up and yell “Why doesn’t everyone just be quiet and let’s win some football games dag-on-it!”  I know I’d be surprised.
Anyway, long story short, I wonder if Eli (or his daddy) wishes he had just stayed with the Chargers.  Remember, it was SanDiego that wanted him, but Manning and his daddy made it clear that Eli wouldn’t be a Charger.  I wonder if he looks over at Mr. Efficiency, Philip Rivers, and watches L.T. scamper into the endzone 4 times a game and wonders how he got involved with this group of characters.   Come to think of it, I don’t even know what L.T. sounds like because you never hear anything out of the guy except “touchdown”.  I hear it’s warmer in SanDiego as well, and I bet the media goes a bit easier on you.  I’ve also heard that it was discovered by the Germans in 1904, and they named it SanDiego, which of course means “whale’s vagina” in German.  Stay Classy New York Giants.