Giants Talk

Two straight losses. The second-half swoon, a disturbing constant in the Tom Coughlin era, seemingly in full swing. Once again, the New York Giants enter the home stretch of the season asking: what do we do now?

This year, it’s not on the coaching staff. After the two-game losing streak early in the season, including one game in which the Giants looked as bad as they ever have in losing to the Titans, the team has been well-prepared and in every game. Even in the recent losses, the Giants had game plans that put them in position to win.

This year, it’s not on special teams. Matt Dodge may yet doom the Giants in a big spot, but so far it hasn’t happened.

This year, it’s not on the defense. This unit won’t be confused with the 1986/1990/second half of 2007 shut-down Giants defenses. But the defense has rid itself of the Bill Sheridan stigma, and the defense kept the Giants in the game Sunday night in Philadelphia.

This year, it’s not on the offense. Injuries have taken their toll on the line and receiving corps, but the walking wounded, starting with David Diehl, should begin returning to the lineup this week. The offense has averaged 25 points per game, seventh in the NFL.

Eli Manning

This year, it’s on Eli Manning. Since he arrived in New York, there have been pro-Eli and anti-Eli camps, with each piping up based on his prior week’s performance. Your Giants Talk Blogger has always been firmly in the pro-Eli camp, a position that seemed justified by Eli’s 2007 heroics.

Now Manning is in his seventh season, the prime of a top NFL QB’s career. He is surrounded by plenty of talent. His unassuming, even-keel demeanor is perfect for playing in New York. And, as he has shown time and again, he will put the Giants in position to win the game when given the chance.

The problem is that this year Manning’s mistakes are proliferating. Three interceptions and a lost fumble doomed the Giants against the dirty Eagles. A total of 16 INTs and five lost fumbles so far in 2010 are far too many, particularly for a veteran quarterback.

In years past, Eli would have a stinker or two of a game each season. He generally got a pass on those outings, as observers chalked it up to youthful inexperience. Well, Manning is no longer a young QB. His output has risen dramatically beginning in 2009. But the mistakes – the turnovers, the poor decision-making – now crop up in almost every game as well.

Eli’s response to those turnovers, at least in public, hasn’t been great. Shell-shocked after the loss to the dirty Eagles, he aw-shucked his way through the post-game presser. Then there was this rationalization later in the week:

“You get in games at the end where you’re down and you have to try to make some stuff happen, you have to force some things,” he said. “That’s a situation where turnovers can happen.”

OK, right.

But the Giants didn’t trade for Manning and later pay him $96 million for his public speaking skills. They pay him to play QB. Yes, the injuries hurt. But Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning, to name just two, seem to be able to make plays to the “next man up,” whomever that might be.

So, no more excuses for Eli Manning. He needs to set an example, starting Sunday at New Meadowlands against the Jaguars. He’s paid like a franchise player. It’s time to start playing like one.