NFL Playoffs: Eli Manning Time

It is time for Giants’ Quarterback Eli Manning to step up, be counted and lead his team to a playoff victory.    He is no longer a rookie, although he still has a young-looking face and the confusion on it makes us feel as if he is younger and less experienced than he is.   His bank account is that of an All-Pro.   How about playing like it on a consistent basis?    It is his time to show everyone that he is not just some type of Manning asterisk.    The Giants desperately need him to come up large this weekend versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on a National stage, with the whole football world watching.   This is what the Giants drafted Eli for.    For post-season excellence.   Not just some sporadic hot flashes in a second-half in October, or a first-quarter in some regional telecast.    It is showtime.

There is no more Tiki Barber to lean upon for rushing and receiving yards.   There is no Jeremy Shockey to count on, he the oft-hurt one with potential that never seems to be fully realized either.     Tom Coughlin is tied at the hip with Eli, whether he likes it or not.    Discredit to the old, spunky Coach for not having his supposedly-star QB further up to speed.    

At 10-6 the Giants had a good season, not a great one.    They were lapped by the Dallas Cowboys and the forecast does not look good if a third encounter is in the cards this January.      However, first things first.     Manning is theoretically the better Quarterback on the field in a contest with the Bucs, so let’s see if that theory can be put into practice.

Manning at times looks lost, and at times looks like he is overanalyzing the situation.    He needs to relax and just play ball.   Stop worrying about what the media will think, what his family will think and what anyone will think.   Use those Manning instincts and do what made you a first pick in the NFL draft.    You would think the Giants are due for a playoff win but that will be decided in large part not only by Manning’s right arm this weekend, but more importantly with what goes on between his shoulder blades.

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