Eli & Co. try to keep ‘O’ flowing in desert
PAUL SCHWARTZ’S BIG BLUE PLAYBOOK
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Giants arrive home early Christmas Day and the always prepared Eli Manning is not certain what he will do. Does he try to catch a few hours of sleep or stay awake and, bleary-eyed, try to enjoy the holiday morning with his wife and three young daughters?
“Yeah, I haven’t figured that part yet,’’ Manning said. “Sleep on the plane a little bit. Yeah. They’ll probably think I’m Santa as I’m coming in at 4:30 in the morning. So, just roll with it.’’
Ho, ho, ho, will daddy bring home from the desert a victory? Does it matter? As luck would have it, the Giants are on the road — far out on the road — for Sunday’s Christmas Eve game against the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.
It is the building where Manning enjoyed his greatest achievement, knocking off the then-unbeaten Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII. The impending arrival of the 10-year anniversary of that career-defining moment is a sobering reminder that was then and this is now. Manning turns 37 on Jan. 3, and there is no certainty he will return for a 15th season with the Giants.
Losing is almost never the desired option, but the Giants are 2-12, and many fans prefer their beloved team play hard, come close and lose, in order to keep hold of the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft. Players, of course, do not think this way, though these players have lost so often this season that it is almost the expected outcome.
Last week’s 34-29 loss to the Eagles ran the losing streak to four games, but this one contained a different twist. There was an offensive eruption by Manning, who threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns. It was a reminder what Manning can do when his receivers are in synch with their veteran quarterback.
“You learn quick in football that nothing carries over from week to week,’’ Manning said, throwing a dose of reality into a season filled with too much reality.
Can a hot finish change the way Manning’s future is viewed inside the building? He has been at the controls of a pathetic offense, devoid of star power (Odell Beckham Jr.), stability on the offensive line, dynamism at running back or consistency at receiver. The interview process for a new general manager is ongoing.
Whether Manning — who has two years remaining on his contract — stays or goes is a priority decision for whoever gets the job. The evaluation of rookie Davis Webb is on a need-to-know basis, as he is increasing his workload in practice, but it looks as if he will not get into a game all season. It remains Manning’s show, for now.