Eli Manning Finally Settling Down

This season Eli Manning is off to his best and most steady start of his career. I am not sure if it is the freedom he has in the passing game now that Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are gone. Or if it is a sign that Manning is turning the corner in his career that a lot of people have been waiting for.

It became obvious after the New York Giants lost to the New England Patriots in week 17 of the 2007 season that Eli Manning with the support and confidence of the team,  was starting to get on the right track. Then once the Giants made their storied run to a Super Bowl victory,  Mannings growth had become more evident.

Last season Manning started off the season very strong and the Giants looked good but once they lost Burress for the season the team was not able to rebound the way they wanted to. Manning and the Giants suffered a devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. In that loss Manning and the offense looked anything but like the team from the season before that won the Super Bowl.

Over the past few seasons as the Giants offense has lost Tiki Barber in '06 (retirement), Jeremy Shockey in '07 (trade), and Plaice Burress in '08 (prison) they have been able to persevere and move on. And each time they have had to move on without a key player Eli Manning has looked better each season as a quarterback. This season has not been any different.

I really believe the Giants passing game is flourishing due to teams coming up to stop the Giants running game which was the best in the NFL last season and currently 4th in the league.  Also now teams can't predict who Manning will throw the ball to. Steve Smith has emerged as the number one target and Eli's go to guy.  But if teams try to take him away he has young reliable options with  Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks who have also not been shy to get in the end zone.

It will be a great battle on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints defense that leads the league with 13 takewaway.s and are ranked 11th in the NFL.

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Giants - Saints Will Be a Game of Match Ups

This coming Sunday's game between the New York Giants and the New Orleans will feature many key and intriguing match ups. Such as Eli Manning vs. Darren Sharper, and the Giants offensive line against the Saints defensive line. Here is a complete breakdown of all the match ups.

• QB Eli Manning vs S Darren Sharper - For the most part Darren Sharper has owned Eli Manning. Manning said earlier this week that he will do Sharper's hall of fame induction speech since he has helped put Sharper in the Pro Bowl so many times. In 2005 Sharper picked off Manning three times in a 24-21 win over the Giants and in 2007 Sharper recorded an interception in a 41-17 blowout of the Giants.  I would think after those expierences and a lot of film study Eli will make sure he avoids Sharper.
• LE Justin Tuck vs. LT Jermon Bushrod - Tuck has recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 pass deflections this season. He is a force to be dealt with and Bushrod will have his work cut out for him. Don't forget that he will have to deal with Mathias Kiwanuka coming off the  bench as well.  Brees's blind side may be a big concern for the Saints this week. I don't believe they will be able to help Bushrod out with a double team since they still have to account for Osi Umenyiora.  
• CB Corey Webster vs. WR Marques Colston - I have said it before and I will say it again,  Corey Webster is one of the most underrated corners in the NFL.  And he will once again get a chance to prove himself by slowing down one of the top receivers  in the NFL when he faces Marques Colston. Colston has only recorded 17 receptions this season along with 228 yards and 3 touchdowns. Though his numbers seem a little low it is due to the Saints strong running game through the first five weeks of the season. 
• Giants Rushing Offense vs Saints Run Defense -  As we know the Giants offense begins with their running game.  They will be facing a  Saints team that has totally turned their defense around and has done a great job of stopping the run this season. The Saints are ranked 7th in the NFL in run defense with having only allowed an average of 83.2 yards a game. The Giants have the 4th overall ranked rushing offense with 160.4 yards a game. It will surely be a be a battle of the lines. The Giants offensive line salivates when they have the chance to run the ball.  

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