Marshall: QB still apple of my Eli

Brandon Marshall considers himself still in the “honeymoon phase” with Eli Manning, but he sure isn’t getting a lot of action.

The 33-year-old receiver was still answering questions on Thursday about his one-catch-for-10 yards performance in Sunday’s 19-3 loss to the Cowboys as he assured everything is OK, especially between him and his quarterback.

“It’s not like we’re in marital counseling. So that’s good,” Marshall said with a laugh. “The relationship is great. It’s not rocky. I know the first two to three years of marriage can be tough but so far, so good. We’re still in the honeymoon phase.”

If that is the case, then the Giants better hope things between the two pick up before it ends in an ugly divorce, especially after Odell Beckham Jr. admitted his ankle injury could take 6-8 weeks to heal.

Beckham was limited in Thursday’s practice, giving the Giants a glimmer of hope for his return, but if he cannot go again for Monday night’s game against the Lions the Giants will need more production out of Marshall or risk falling to 0-2 with a matchup against the Eagles on the road looming in Week 3.

“We have no choice but to get better,” Marshall said. “That’s the goal. If you don’t then it’s going to be a long season. But it’s early on in the season, first week, we didn’t perform the way we wanted to so this is a bounce back game.”

But Marshall would not divulge on any specifics about what he and the Giants need to improve in order to be better offensively. In fact, his answer was a bit puzzling. “Nothing,” Marshall said. “Just put the game plan in and every game, whether you win or lose, you correct your mistakes and get back up and try to be better.”

One area where Marshall can make a difference is third down conversions.

Manning was 1-for-4 when targeting Marshall and rookie tight end Evan Engram on third down plays. Still, Marshall — who had just four targets all game — did not seem to dwell on his lack of an impact.

“I was involved in the offense last week, just didn’t get the opportunity for many touches,” he said. “You can impact the game in several ways, doesn’t always have to be with a ball in your hand as a receiver.”

Yet Marshall is most effective when the ball is in his hands, which is why the Giants signed him in the offseason. But the WR stopped short of saying he needs more touches in order for the offense to be successful.

“It’s Week 1. Ask me that question Week 10, Week 12,” he said.