Teammates have Giant- sized love for their QB
Coming off season where he tossed for nearly 5,000 yards, 30- year- old Eli Manning in his prime
EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — Chris Snee took a couple of quick stabs at how much Eli Manning has changed since the two came into the NFL as rookies with the New York Giants in 2004.
“He’s got some hair on his chin now,” Snee deadpanned, before letting a smile spread across his face. Then he pointed out that Manning was older.
The two- time Pro Bowl guard finally gave up.
“Honestly, the guy has been a cool customer ever since he was a rookie in the same huddle as me,” Snee said. “He is not fazed by any situation or rattled. He is the best prepared as any guy I have ever been around.”
Unflappable Eli. Elite Eli. Take your pick.
There’s also Super Eli — maybe for a second time.
Manning and the Giants ( 117) take on the San Francisco 49ers ( 14- 3) in the NFC title game on Sunday with the winner advancing to Indianapolis for a Super Bowl showdown against the Patriots or Ravens.
Whatever happens, Manning isn’t going to change. That’s what teammates love about the quarterback who comes from a family of quarterbacks.
There is no ego. Just a desire to work hard and win. Nothing upsets the 30- year- old.
“I don’t think you are supposed to change,” Manning said Friday. “I think the reason I had success whether in high school or in college and some success here in the NFL, is because you don’t change your personality. You don’t change whether you are having success or tough times. You try to work hard and stay confident and support your teammates and be a good teammate, and play the game the way it should be played.”
Manning, who threw for a career- best 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns this season, is a creature of habit. He shows up every morning at the Giants’ headquarters around 7 a. m., wears the same clothes at most practices and leaves nine hours later after taking almost every snap in practices.
Manning comes in Tuesdays — his day off — to break down the film on the upcoming opponents, while familiarizing himself with the game plan. On Fridays, he holds a meeting with his receivers and shows clips of what they should expect on game days.
“He understands based on coverage where we would like the ball to go,” offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “He’s not going to be overwhelmed by what’s going on. He’s been through it enough times. We’ve had enough success with it that he plays very confidently. I don’t think the situation overwhelms him and I think he has a very profound understanding of what we’re trying to do offensively.”
Manning also knows sometimes things go wrong, which is what happened to an unproven receiver named Victor Cruz on the Giants’ third play from scrimmage this season. Cruz dropped a third- down pass that would have given the Giants a first down, then went to the sideline and sulked.
Manning walked up to him almost immediately and told him to forget about it, that Cruz would make plays for the team.
Cruz has done exactly that — over and over — in setting a single- season team record with 1,536 yards receiving.
“I’m going to remember for a long time,” Cruz said. “It was him trusting in me and believing in me and understanding there were a lot more plays to be made. He is one of those guys who never seems to hone in on something negative.”