ALBANY, N.Y. -- Ever wonder why Eli Manning of the New York
Giants doesn't play like older brother Peyton Manning of the Super
Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts -- even for just a couple of plays?
Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride doesn't go there.
It's a waste of time, and somewhat of an unfair question.
"The only thing that is similar about them is the last name and
that they are big cerebral quarterbacks," Gilbride said Thursday,
a day before the Giants reported to training camp at the University
at Albany.
Gilbride pointed out that the Colts run a much more wide-open
system and have a higher talent level on offense than the Giants,
whose system stresses ball control, the running game and an
occasional shot down the field.
Asking Eli to produce Peyton-like numbers is asking a lot,
Gilbride said.
However, the new coordinator isn't giving Eli a slide this year
with the Giants coming off an 8-8 record that barely got them into
the playoffs.
"Is it fair for us to ask him to get better? Yeah!" Gilbride
said. "The fact there are times when he plays very, very well, we
need to see that more often, and probably more importantly, those
times where he makes those big mistakes, he's certainly smart
enough to cut those out. I think if he cuts those out, we'll all be
delighted with the play of that position."
Gilbride and Eli Manning spent the past six months going over
videotapes of the 2006 season. While Manning passed for 3,244 yards
and 24 touchdowns, he also threw 18 interceptions and was sacked 25
times.
"Our guy tries to do right by everybody, so much so he doesn't
want to take a sack for the offensive line and sometimes he'll
force a play where he shouldn't force one," Gilbride said.
"Sometimes the best you can do is to take the sack or get rid of
the ball."
Gilbride said Manning has to start to understand that there will
be other times in the game where he can make a big play.
As a young head coach with the San Diego Chargers, Gilbride
watched John Elway of the Denver Broncos make some terrible
decisions.
"You would just shake your head and say, 'How could a guy like
that do that," Gilbride said.
However, Elway learned to stay away from the mistakes and win
more frequently.
As Manning enters his fourth season, the Giants have also
brought in Chris Palmer to be his quarterback coach. Palmer has
worked with Drew Bledsoe and Mark Brunell in his long career, and
last season tutored Tony Romo in Dallas.
After watching films from last season, Palmer has spent a lot of
time helping Manning with his balance and rhythm.
"We're trying to get him moving his feet and getting back and
setting as quickly as he can," Palmer said. "There are times
where he is very, very good and there are times when he struggles a
bit. We just have to get him back in stride as quickly as we can."
Another big key in Manning's success this season will be the
play of halfback Brandon Jacobs, who became the No. 1 running back
with the retirement of Tiki Barber last season. If he plays well,
that should take some of the pressure off Eli Manning to produce.
It also should be noted that Peyton Manning had some early
problems, including a 3-13 rookie season and a 6-10 mark in his
fourth year. The Super Bowl title didn't come until his ninth
season.
Eli Manning has led the Giants to playoff appearances the past
two seasons.
"I think what I see from Eli is an excellent quarterback who is
going to be very good in this league and will lead his team to the
promised land," Palmer said.