How Good is Eli Manning? (1 Viewer)

[NOSRAC247]

I was watching ESPN's quarterback depth chart analysis and I heard some startling numbers about Eli. I didn't know he's got like a 50% completion percentage. That's worse than Vick!!! I don't see that with all the receievrs he has, that he's that low. I thought he was much better than that. Can anyone provide me with some more insight on this guy?

 

[Cenobite]

Vick has a bit more experience than Eli don't you think? He will improve as he gains experience. It's really that simple.

 

[joffer]

apparently, he's not very good

 

[TrueD]

He would be better if he had WR's like Steve Smith to throw to

Panthers all the way, SB or bust

 

[Mark Wimer]

Sure thing.

This is from pro-football-reference.com, the site that our Doug Drinen owns.

+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| Passing | Rushing |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| Year TM | G | Comp Att PCT YD Y/A TD INT | Att Yards TD |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| 2004 nyg | 9 | 95 197 48.2 1043 5.3 6 9 | 6 35 0 |

| 2005 nyg | 16 | 294 557 52.8 3762 6.8 24 17 | 29 80 1 |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| TOTAL | 25 | 389 754 51.6 4805 6.4 30 26 | 35 115 1 |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

Like many rookies before him, Eli Manning struggled as a first year starter. He was well below 50% completion percentage, and threw more INTs than TDs. No surprises here.

Last season, his completion percentage improved by more than 4% over his first season's percentage (by 4.6%, to be exact), which is a very strong move in the right direction. He's not yet an elite NFL starter, but he is getting stronger. In fantasy terms, he was 7th in fantasy points per game during his sophomore season, and 4th in total fantasy points among all fantasy QBs. In fantasy terms, Eli Manning was a rock-solid starting QB last year, although he did fade a bit in the second half of the season (throwing most of his INTs week 10 and after, with only 2 multiple TD games during the same time-frame).

Comparing Manning to Vick as far as passing goes, last year, Vick threw 387 times for 214 completions, netting 2412 yards passing, 15 TDs and 13 interceptions, for a 55.3% completion percentage. It was a step back for Vick in terms of completion percentage (from 56.4% the previous year) and a career high in interceptions. As usual, Vick's scrambling (102/597/6) and goal-line rushes kept him in the top 20 at his position.

So, while a track record of only 2 years isn't much to work with, Eli Manning is improving in the completion percentage department, and threw the ball 170 times more than Vick; whereas Vick remains a wildly inconsistent passer from week to week, and actually declined in completion percentage last year, as well as throwing more interceptions than ever before.

Manning plays on an improving Giants offense that has a solid array of skill position players around him, and some nice young talent in Sinorice Moss and Brandon Jacobs behind the vets; Vick has Roddy White and Michael Jenkins at WR with Alge Crumpler at TE. It remains to be seen if White or Jenkins can help Vick elevate his passing game.

ATL projections for 2006 by FBG's

NYG Projections for 2006 by FBG's

 

[srnohav]

He would be better if he had WR's like Steve Smith to throw to

Panthers all the way, SB or bust

Eli is simply going through a learning curve, he was much better at the beginning of last year, then fell a part as the year wore on. He has the talent around him to be very good, with teh addition of Moss to spread the filed as a third option, he will be even better. you have to expect a completion % in the low 60's this year with about 15-17 interceptions. However he will throw for close to 4000 yards. They overused Tiki last year and Couglin knows it, so they will try to throw it more now that Maning has a better feel for the game.

 

[Jason Wood]

As an Eagles season ticket holder, I would like nothing more than to say with confidence that Eli Manning is doomed to mediocrity. And while he's far from a finished product, I honestly believe the Giants are better off than a great many franchises in the next five to ten years (presuming health).

Manning needs to improve, there's no question. His 52% completion percentage last year was 3rd worst among qualified passers and his 17 INTs tied for 2nd worst in the league. He also got progressively worse as the season wore on, with his passer rating falling each successive month.

However, Manning has shown enough for Giants fans to be optimistic in my opinion. The kid is tough, and takes a hit about as well as any QB I've seen in a long time. He's also got good mechanics and an arm that allows him to make any throw regardless of down and distance.

This year, Manning could have a worse season, fantasy wise, yet be a better quarterback. His schedule looks downright brutal on paper, so it's not unheard of to expect a lower total yardage and TD pass output. However, he could/should improve on his INT total and more importantly, his completion percentage.

If Manning gets through 2006 with little to no growth in his comp% or pass/INT rate, then I think it's time to start questioning his long-term upside. But entering the year, there's little reason to think he isn't on his way to a Pro Bowl laden career.

 

[TrueD]

Sure thing.

This is from pro-football-reference.com, the site that our Doug Drinen owns.

+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| Passing | Rushing |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| Year TM | G | Comp Att PCT YD Y/A TD INT | Att Yards TD |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| 2004 nyg | 9 | 95 197 48.2 1043 5.3 6 9 | 6 35 0 |

| 2005 nyg | 16 | 294 557 52.8 3762 6.8 24 17 | 29 80 1 |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

| TOTAL | 25 | 389 754 51.6 4805 6.4 30 26 | 35 115 1 |

+----------+-----+---------------------------------------+-----------------+

Like many rookies before him, Eli Manning struggled as a first year starter. He was well below 50% completion percentage, and threw more INTs than TDs. No surprises here.

Last season, his completion percentage improved by more than 4% over his first season's percentage (by 4.6%, to be exact), which is a very strong move in the right direction. He's not yet an elite NFL starter, but he is getting stronger. In fantasy terms, he was 7th in fantasy points per game during his sophomore season, and 4th in total fantasy points among all fantasy QBs. In fantasy terms, Eli Manning was a rock-solid starting QB last year, although he did fade a bit in the second half of the season (throwing most of his INTs week 10 and after, with only 2 multiple TD games during the same time-frame).

Comparing Manning to Vick as far as passing goes, last year, Vick threw 387 times for 214 completions, netting 2412 yards passing, 15 TDs and 13 interceptions, for a 55.3% completion percentage. It was a step back for Vick in terms of completion percentage (from 56.4% the previous year) and a career high in interceptions. As usual, Vick's scrambling (102/597/6) and goal-line rushes kept him in the top 20 at his position.

So, while a track record of only 2 years isn't much to work with, Eli Manning is improving in the completion percentage department, and threw the ball 170 times more than Vick; whereas Vick remains a wildly inconsistent passer from week to week, and actually declined in completion percentage last year, as well as throwing more interceptions than ever before.

Manning plays on an improving Giants offense that has a solid array of skill position players around him, and some nice young talent in Sinorice Moss and Brandon Jacobs behind the vets; Vick has Roddy White and Michael Jenkins at WR with Alge Crumpler at TE. It remains to be seen if White or Jenkins can help Vick elevate his passing game.

ATL projections for 2006 by FBG's

NYG Projections for 2006 by FBG's

Nice bit of info there dude, I would have to agree and add that if Vick didn’t have Crumpler, he would look even worse as a passing QB than he does now. I think he will have his best year ever “this” season, but I still pick them tp finish 3rd in the south behind the Panthers, and the Bucs.

 

[scratcher]

Speaking of the Ultimate Depth Chart, I missed the top half of the chart. Does anyone have a link to a summary of their depth chart or remember who was listed in the top 10? I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm just curious. TIA

 

[TrueD]

As an Eagles season ticket holder, I would like nothing more than to say with confidence that Eli Manning is doomed to mediocrity. And while he's far from a finished product, I honestly believe the Giants are better off than a great many franchises in the next five to ten years (presuming health).

Manning needs to improve, there's no question. His 52% completion percentage last year was 3rd worst among qualified passers and his 17 INTs tied for 2nd worst in the league. He also got progressively worse as the season wore on, with his passer rating falling each successive month.

However, Manning has shown enough for Giants fans to be optimistic in my opinion. The kid is tough, and takes a hit about as well as any QB I've seen in a long time. He's also got good mechanics and an arm that allows him to make any throw regardless of down and distance.

This year, Manning could have a worse season, fantasy wise, yet be a better quarterback. His schedule looks downright brutal on paper, so it's not unheard of to expect a lower total yardage and TD pass output. However, he could/should improve on his INT total and more importantly, his completion percentage.

If Manning gets through 2006 with little to no growth in his comp% or pass/INT rate, then I think it's time to start questioning his long-term upside. But entering the year, there's little reason to think he isn't on his way to a Pro Bowl laden career.

he has shown traces that he can be as good as his brother, that would be good for Giants fanz. His brother though, hasn’t won anything big for the Colts yet, could Eli beat him to the punch? I think he could.

 

[SSOG]

Based on what he's done, I think Manning is drastically overrated by a lot of people. He got off to a blistering start last season, but statistically, it was one of the biggest flukes in football history (no one in history had EVER combined that bad of a Comp% with that few INTs). Sure enough, at the end of last season, he started throwing INTs in bunches (like his low Comp% suggested he should have been doing all along).

With that said, he's still very young, and has a lot of room for improvement. While I say with confidence that if he didn't improve any, he would be drastically overrated by almost everyone... I also say with confidence that, as young as he is, he's incredibly likely to continue improving.

 

[EBF]

Right now he's pretty grossly overrated. His huge number of attempts masked an otherwise mediocre year in 2005. We'll see how he progresses next season.

 

[MLBrandow]

Good enough to make Plaxico Burress a top 3 WR and win a wildcard spot this year

 

[King of the Jungle]

Good enough to make Plaxico Burress a top 3 WR and win a wildcard spot this year

I agree, with Shockey, Toomer, and Sin Moss as competition, I too see Burress finishing somewhere in the top 3.

 

[Vicktimized]

My question is: I'd heard Manning was hurt last preseason, an injury which may have affected his performance. So to those in the know: Was this a case of Manning simply suffering growing pains, or was his accuracy affected by injury?

 

[MLBrandow]

My question is: I'd heard Manning was hurt last preseason, an injury which may have affected his performance. So to those in the know: Was this a case of Manning simply suffering growing pains, or was his accuracy affected by injury?

Probably both.... but more growing pains than any.Look how Palmer grew...

 

[NOSRAC247]

Okay, so if he doesn't produce this year, I bet people will still say he's better than Vick. Everyone forgets that its only his 3rd year under Mora, and his 3rd different offense. All I'm saying is if Manning doesn't do much this year, and stays around his 50& completion percentage, you won't hear people calling up sports talk shows, or ranting on boards, like they do with Vick. Especially with that talent they have on their offense. Vick does not, nor has, had the talent NY has had. If anyone says Jenkins, Finneran, or White is crazy! Yes we've had Dunn and Duckett, who I love. But Dunn was as good as finished at Tampa, they dumped him, and the only reason he picked up was becasue teams were more focusing on Vicks running ability. Tell me I'm wrong on this

 

[StuntRock]

Having seen almost every single play that Eli ever made in college, I think he's quite good. He's quiet but he's tough, and a hard worker. He has better natural skills than his brother, I think. He's pretty damn smart to boot. He did big things at Ole Miss considering the somewhat questionable talent surrounding him, and I don't see why people doubt his ability to continue improving.

 

[JMJ]

Eli throws more errant passes then ANY other QB in the NFL. 1 out of every 10 passes just wobbles out of his hands as if the football was slick and it just wobbles up in the air and there are usually two diving defenders just missing an INT because the football was not in the vacinity of a defender because it is also not close to in the vacinity of a WR.

Also, I read somewhere that Eli threw the most "dropped INTs" by any QB in the NFL last season. So, a 52% completion percentage, plus 17 INTs, plus the most dropped INTs in the league last year, plus the Giants unusually difficult schedule this year = a draft day bust!

To have numbers that bad when you have a 1,700 yard RB who had over 2,000 combined yards and a starting WR/TE rotation of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Jeremey Shockey is just pathetic.

HTH.

 

[JMJ]

Eli throws more errant passes then ANY other QB in the NFL. 1 out of every 10 passes just wobbles out of his hands as if the football was slick and it just wobbles up in the air and there are usually two diving defenders just missing an INT because the football was not in the vacinity of a defender because it is also not close to in the vacinity of a WR.

Also, I read somewhere that Eli threw the most "dropped INTs" by any QB in the NFL last season. So, a 52% completion percentage, plus 17 INTs, plus the most dropped INTs in the league last year, plus the Giants unusually difficult schedule this year = a draft day bust!

To have numbers that bad when you have a 1,700 yard RB who had over 2,000 combined yards and a starting WR/TE rotation of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Jeremey Shockey is just pathetic.

HTH.

That was one of four times Manning was picked off Sunday--and those weren't his only bad passes. Despite playing in good weather and getting solid protection from his line most of the game, Manning made many throws that were high and behind receivers. Many wobbled. He has been inaccurate all season, with his completion rate barely above 50 percent. He needs to be in the 65 percent range before anyone starts placing him in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.

 

[Bri]

Okay, so if he doesn't produce this year, I bet people will still say he's better than Vick. Everyone forgets that its only his 3rd year under Mora, and his 3rd different offense. All I'm saying is if Manning doesn't do much this year, and stays around his 50& completion percentage, you won't hear people calling up sports talk shows, or ranting on boards, like they do with Vick. Especially with that talent they have on their offense. Vick does not, nor has, had the talent NY has had. If anyone says Jenkins, Finneran, or White is crazy! Yes we've had Dunn and Duckett, who I love. But Dunn was as good as finished at Tampa, they dumped him, and the only reason he picked up was becasue teams were more focusing on Vicks running ability. Tell me I'm wrong on this

I wonder if they would just have Crumpler sit or stay in to block for a few preseason games, would Vick learn to throw to his WRs? Get more comfy in that? I wonder if Crumpler trying his best to grab anything he can has hurt Vick's development?

 

[Bri]

Eli throws more errant passes then ANY other QB in the NFL.  1 out of every 10 passes just wobbles out of his hands as if the football was slick and it just wobbles up in the air and there are usually two diving defenders just missing an INT because the football was not in the vacinity of a defender because it is also not close to in the vacinity of a WR.

Also, I read somewhere that Eli threw the most "dropped INTs" by any QB in the NFL last season.  So, a 52% completion percentage, plus 17 INTs, plus the most dropped INTs in the league last year, plus the Giants unusually difficult schedule this year = a draft day bust!

To have numbers that bad when you have a 1,700 yard RB who had over 2,000 combined yards and a starting WR/TE rotation of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Jeremey Shockey is just pathetic.

HTH.

That was one of four times Manning was picked off Sunday--and those weren't his only bad passes. Despite playing in good weather and getting solid protection from his line most of the game, Manning made many throws that were high and behind receivers. Many wobbled. He has been inaccurate all season, with his completion rate barely above 50 percent. He needs to be in the 65 percent range before anyone starts placing him in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.

65% is too high to expect for Brady IMO. Just below, OK, but 65 seems high. Peyton is phenomenal so I'd stop comparing him and his 66 67%. Just checked PFR and Tom's been at 60.* for a while. 60 is more reasonable IMO. While it may seem like "nothing" I don't think you'll find many QBs throwing 65% or higher

 

[softball]

Eli will be the most talented QB to EVER play in NY.

Bar none.....

And thats from a Giants/Jets Fan.

He is dedicated, and learning. Those two things along with his available offensive weapons make his ceiling very high.

But it takes time......

 

[Mark Wimer]

Okay, so if he doesn't produce this year, I bet people will still say he's better than Vick. Everyone forgets that its only his 3rd year under Mora, and his 3rd different offense. All I'm saying is if Manning doesn't do much this year, and stays around his 50& completion percentage, you won't hear people calling up sports talk shows, or ranting on boards, like they do with Vick. Especially with that talent they have on their offense. Vick does not, nor has, had the talent NY has had. If anyone says Jenkins, Finneran, or White is crazy! Yes we've had Dunn and Duckett, who I love. But Dunn was as good as finished at Tampa, they dumped him, and the only reason he picked up was becasue teams were more focusing on Vicks running ability. Tell me I'm wrong on this

Vick is a talented athlete, no doubt. However, he hasn't perfected his passing game and relies on his freakishly strong arm, rather than accuracy. I have written several articles about why Vick is not an elite NFL QB over the years, but the bottom line is this: he is wildly inaccurate from week to week (some weeks on target 3 out of 4 times, other weeks barely able to complete 50%), and he isn't good at reading progressions. On the other hand, as another poster pointed out earlier in the thread, Eli Manning has been improving his game since his days at Ole Miss. Almost a 5% jump in completions from one year to the next is considerable improvement. Is he an elite NFL QB yet? No. Does he have the potential to join the ranks of the elite passers? Yes.

The jury is still out on whether Vick can make the transition to a proficient passing QB, or if he'll stay a "Slash"-type player like Kordell Stewart Kordell Stewart Career that came before him.

I'm in the Vick = KS2 (Kordell Stewart the 2nd) camp, myself, as you can probably tell.

 

[Z-Dog]

I wouldn't throw in the towel on Manning. For one, he's winning, and if you're talking about measuring an NFL QB, that's the most important statistic. Manning threw the ball an average of 35 times per game last season. That's a very high number, especially for a young QB. Peyton has only thrown more frequently four times in his career. And if you want positive signs, Manning raised his YPA to 6.75, a very respectable number. SO basically, you have a QB who has been playing in a wide-open offense and asked to throw a lot. He has managed to win games, but has made some big mistakes, and has been inconsistent from quarter to quarter. But he still wins, and to me, that's what says that he's going to be a very good QB. He has the ability to shake off errors and play with tenacity when the game is on the line.

 

[SSOG]

Having seen almost every single play that Eli ever made in college, I think he's quite good. He's quiet but he's tough, and a hard worker. He has better natural skills than his brother, I think. He's pretty damn smart to boot. He did big things at Ole Miss considering the somewhat questionable talent surrounding him, and I don't see why people doubt his ability to continue improving.

I agree that Manning was remarkable in college. His teammates weren't quite as bad as Jay Cutler's, but everyone knew that Eli Manning was the only reason teams didn't look ahead past the Rebels. I also think that he's incredibly likely to improve, too.With that said, Danny Weurful was a phenominal college QB, too. College success does not always translate to the pros, and if Manning doesn't get his accuracy up and his INTs down, he's going to remain a mediocre or worse QB. He has a very good chance to improve- but he better, because otherwise he's in for some trouble.

Jury's still out. Not a very good QB at the moment, but lots of potential.