N/S Giants GM calls Eli "skittish"
Again, you are assuming these "playmakers" on the Giants put it out every week.. they didn't. Take a good look at the Saints/Gaints game from last season -you want to put it all on Manning? What about that sorry defense? Again, where was Shockey? Where were these "playmakers"? Barber took Christmas Eve off, and decided to play against the Redskins the following week.
Indeed, based on your comment about W/L records of quarterbacks, if the Giants were as talented as is being alleged, then a medicore quarterback should have been able to lead this team to victory.
Put Eli on a team with a solid coach and some playmakers with heart, and you see a much better quarterback.
It's the GM's fault Eli looks "skittish". He failed to surround him with good, talented players.
So basically, when Eli does poorly it's never his fault. His 9-for-25 performance against the Saints most definitely wasn't his fault. Burress had nothing to do with 55 of Eli's 74 passing yards on 1 play. Never mind that Barber averaged 4.4 per carry that game. It was his WR's fault he missed on 16 passes.
His #1 WR has been top ten in receiving yards in 2005, receiving TDs in 2006 and 2007, and rushing/receiving TDs in 2007. His former #1 RB has been top ten in rushes in 2005 and 2006, rushing yards in 2005 and 2006, rushing TDs in 2005, yards from scrimmage in 2005 and 2006, and rushing/receiving TDs in 2005. That same RB is 23rd all-time in rushes, 18th in rushing yards, 43rd in rushing TDs, and 10th all-time in yards from scrimmage. His #2 WR is 43rd all-time in total receptions. His #1 TE is on his way to his third consecutive year with 60+ receptions. But yeah, it's all their faults Eli isn't a top QB. It's not his fault for 59 career INTs through 50 career starts.
You say his playmakers don't put it out every week, but does Eli? I've seen him act the exact same way during games. That whole team is that way. When the going gets tough, the team falls apart. The WHOLE team, including Eli.
And let's quit comparing Eli and Peyton through their first 50 games. Eli showed up and had Barber, Burress, Shockey, and Toomer. Who did Peyton have as a rookie? Marshall Faulk and a decent Marvin Harrison. In Peyton's second year, who did he have? Rookie Edgerrin James and an exploding Marvin Harrison. The same thing for Year 3. But see, Peyton IMPROVED every year. Eli has regressed since his first full season starting.