N/S Giants GM calls Eli "skittish"

Scott B said
Eli Manning's first full year as a starter was 2005

2005-NYG 11-5 went to playoffs Eli threw 24 TD 17 INT
Offense ranked 4th in NFL, Defense ranked 24th in NFL
Eli had Tiki Barber rushing for 1860 yards

2006-NYG 8-8 went to playoffs Eli threw 24 TD 18 INT
Offense ranked 14th in NFL, Defense ranked 25th in NFL
Tiki Barber announces retirement middle of season, causes drama, still rushes for 1600 yards

2007-NYG 7-4 probable playoff team Eli threw 16 TD 15 INT
Offense ranked 18th in NFL, Defense ranked 7th in NFL
No Tiki Barber

Is Eli regressing, or is his game suffering because he doesnt have a 1600 plus yard running back this year? Would you say Drew Brees is regressing this year, or would you say he is just having a bad year?

Team sport? Eli's first two seasons, his defense has been bottom of the league, yet team still made playoffs both seasons. Explain how they accomplished this despite Eli Manning.

His stats were almost identical for both playoff seasons, so, no regression there. Now based on your first post of this thread, where you are comparing Eli to his brother, I would say that your conclusions that he is not a good quarterback comparatively is extremely unfair, particularly since you can say that for just about anyone not named Brady, Romo, or Palmer.

I'm not comparing Eli to Peyton. You were comparing their W-L record. I was contrasting their situations. Peyton began with little while Eli began with a lot. I just believe that BECAUSE his last name is Manning more is expected of him. I still think he is average. Again, I'm not saying the Giants win despite Eli, just pointing out W-L record for a QB is an overrated stat, which you were bringing up. But the guy is in his 3rd full year as a starter, his 4th season, and his INTs are still close to 20. They aren't going down at all. Right now, he's last in INTs, tied with Palmer and Brees. In 2006, he was 28th, tied with Favre. In 2005, he was 31st, tied with Bledsoe and Brooks. Anyone who has watched a Saint game this year knows, at least 4 of Brees' INTs were WRs who literally put it in the hands of the defense.

His stats are NOT identical for their 2 playoff seasons or anywhere else. The only identical stats are TDs and INTs. His passing yards are down, his yards per completion are down, and right now his TDs and INTs are 1 apart (16 to 15). If you average out his 2007 numbers, his INTs would actually be higher than his career-high. As for the playoffs, that's part of his problem as well. He's been less-than-average in January. 274 passing yards on 45 attempts, 2 TDs, 4 INTs.

Fact is, if his last name wasn't Manning no one would pay attention to him. I still feel he is a bad leader who can't take control when needed. He's just too quiet. And in NY, it's highlighted even more. Most people care about him based on his name, not his performance. Think of it this way: forget about Brees' year last year. It didn't happen. Multiply Brees' 2007 performance by 3 and you have Eli's career. Color me unimpressed.