New York Giants QB Eli Manning Deserves More Respect

By Anthony Beers @AnthonyBeers on October 27, 2014

Typically when there’s a bye week, there’s not much to report about an NFL team. Unless of course you’re Tom Rock of Long Island’s Newsday. The Sunday sports section consisted of Rock complaining that New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is playing it too safe with the offense. Wait, what?

Manning has endured hundreds of pointless interviews, articles and reports trying to make him look bad. Normally these types of stories should be ignored, but the irony in this one is just way too clear. And since Manning is too classy and wise to call out Rock and this recent absurdity, this article will have to do.

The highlight of Rock’s story consisted of a graphic that compared last year’s statistics to this year to support his complaint that Manning has been too conservative. Last year at this time, Manning had thrown for 1,921 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 15 interceptions on 146 total completions. Fans remember the Giants struggled immensely last season and went 1-6. This year, Manning has 1,573 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and only five interceptions on the exact same number of completions. But he’s being too conservative, right?

Wrong. Completely wrong. If Manning had played the way Rock insinuated the article would say Manning is too reckless. He’s too reckless, he’s too conservative, he doesn’t smile enough — seriously, how many more complaints can there be before fans, other than just Giants fans, realize this is absurd? Rock writes, “As the second half of the season begins, the Giants need to allow their quarterback to go win games for them and not just manage them. He can’t start playing like a madman, flinging footballs all over the field, but he needs to start opening up and taking some risks to find rewards.”

This article should have Giants fans either fuming or laughing out of pure insanity. No matter what there will be something ridiculous said about Manning in the media. And naturally, the second Manning’s career ends with the Giants, the media will complain the new quarterback doesn’t “play as well as Manning did.” The exact thing happened with Giants’ legend Phil Simms upon his retirement.

Take this excuse for journalism as a sign that mainstream quarterback criticisms are seriously pointless. Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler gets ridiculed often as well. Never mind the fact that the Bears’ defense has serious holes and the New England Patriots scored 51 points against them. Even New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, a youngster obviously struggling, receives far too much individual criticism in the midst of a team filled with issues. Real football fans are smart enough to understand this. Hopefully they’re smart enough to see through flawed stories like Rock’s.

Maybe this rant is harsh for pointing out Rock’s one article. He does have a point that despite Manning’s conservative play the team is still 3-4. But what’s truly infuriating is he failed to acknowledge any other aspects of the team besides Manning and the coaches. That says everything about football coverage today. Rock had the audacity to say that Manning’s Super Bowl heroics were “probably ill advised.” The phrase hindsight is 20/20 cannot be more appropriate. Last year’s Manning should be like this year’s Manning and this year’s Manning should be like last year’s Manning. He should also close his eyes and heave up prayers because that’s the only way he can help the Giants win Super Bowls. From a very blunt and literal standpoint, that’s what the article says.

If there’s anything to take from this fan’s displeasure with Eli-haters and fickle news reporters, understand this: There are 11 men on a football field and there are tons of factors that go into winning a game. If true, honest reporting occurred in journalism it would negatively impact the amount of readers. In other words, more average fans have heard of quarterbacks and coaches but couldn’t tell you who’s on the offensive line. Real football fans know the battle up front is everything to a play, a game and a team. This rant is saying one thing: Please try and be the better fan who sees through this journalism. Righteousness always takes a backseat to viewership, and the pursuit of readers doesn’t have a conscience.

A classy, good quarterback like Manning deserves better. At least just this once.

Anthony Beers is a Contributing Writer for RantSports. You can follow him on Twitter @AnthonyBeers