O’Hara: Eli ‘waste’ by Blue

Shaun O’Hara has not been shy about the confidence he has in Eli Manning, and on Saturday the former Big Blue center took things a step further.

O’Hara said at the Landon Collins Celebrity Softball game that the Giants have actually “wasted” the prime of the 37-year-old quarterback.

“To be honest with you, they wasted the last few years of Eli’s career,” O’Hara said. “They wasted his prime. . . it’s been hard to watch.”

Speaking at the event that benefits the Jay Fund Foundation, O’Hara added Manning hasn’t had the right weapons surrounding him to succeed but he believes that problem has been addressed.

He told the Daily News last week that he believes Manning is still in his prime and because of the additions the Giants have made in the offseason, he thinks Manning is poised for a big season.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if he has one of his best years ever,” O’Hara told The News. “Look at the offense and playmakers around him. This might be the most explosive offense group he’s ever had.”

MANZIEL LEADS TICATS: Johnny Manziel was 12-for-20 for 88 yards and a touchdown and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats scored 30 straight points to beat the Montreal Alouettes, 30-15, in the final preseason CFL game for both teams.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M also ran for 19 yards, and is set to back up starter Jeremiah Masoli — rested against Montreal — next Saturday at Calgary in the regular-season opener.

Manziel is making a comeback in the Canadian Football League after being released by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016.

“By no means is it perfect, or close to perfect, but there are some flashes, things I know and feel comfortable with,” Manziel said. “There are things that I should hit on the field that I missed today. That’s just part of trying to get better and get back in a feel of playing ball every day, week in and week out.”

Manziel took over for Bryant Moniz with Hamilton down 14-0 four minutes into the second quarter. Manziel opened with consecutive completions to running back Alex Green for Hamilton’s first first down, and capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring pass to Green.

Manziel led three drives for field goals in the second half before giving way to Dane Evans. —AP