GIANTS NOTES
Asked if the lack of passes to a certain receiver in a given game is a function of his offense, McAdoo said, “No. We’re not completing enough balls or moving the chains as much as we need to move the chains for everyone to get involved. Our details and consistency needs to improve.” Jason Pierre-Paul became the first player with at least three sacks and one touchdown in a game since DeMarcus Ware did it for the Cowboys in Week 17 in 2010. The Giants did not work out any kickers Monday. Robbie Gould, the replacement for Josh Brown, has missed three extra points the past two games.
RB Shane Vereen might be able to get in some practice time this week. He has missed the last eight games with a torn triceps.
“It would be good to get him back in the mix,’’ Eli Manning said on WFAN. “It opens up a whole new package of plays we have that are especially for him, a chance to get him the ball running routes out of the backfield.’’
Janoris Jenkins usually plays every play, but was on the field for just 62 of the 75 snaps on defense in Cleveland. He is dealing with some physical ailment that caused him to miss 13 plays.
His postgame Twitter trash talk directed at Terrelle Pryor was surprising. A source said Pryor yapped at Jenkins all game and that irritated Jenkins, who wanted to let everyone know most of Pryor’s damage (six catches for 131 yards) came against zone coverage and not against him. Pryor had one reception for 14 yards and was targeted four times going directly against Jenkins, according to Pro Football Focus.
mean it would be incumbent upon Manning to start targeting Sterling Shepard again and, of course, get the ball in Beckham’s hands early and often, and improve his accuracy on the deep balls.
“You gotta stay loose and calm and be yourself and don’t get so nervous or think it’s so important that all of a sudden you’re running stiff and not making plays,” Manning said.
Big Ben (23 TDs, 7 INTs, 2,745 yards) has the edge this season on Eli (20 TDs, 10 INTs, 2,902 yards).
He also has the edge in career numbers — except in the playoffs, when Eli is 8-3 overall and 2-0 in the Super Bowl and Big Ben is 11-6 and 2-1 in the Super Bowl.
Eli has never missed a start. That means 205 consecutive games, and counting.
Big Ben had off-field baggage early in his career and was suspended four games under the NFL’s personal-conduct policy after being accused, but not charged or convicted, of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking. He underwent surgery after suffering facial injuries in an offseason motorcycle accident because he didn’t wear a helmet.
Eli and Big Ben last met on Nov. 4, 2012, when Big Ben (21-for-30, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) rallied the Steelers to a 24-20 victory over a 6-2 Giants team at MetLife season. Manning suffered through a 10for-24 nightmare for 125 yards and 1 INT. On Oct. 26, 2008, Manning (19-for-32, 199 yards, 1 TD beat Big Ben (13-for-29 for 189 yards, 4 INTs) 21-14 at Heinz Field. They first met on Dec. 18, 2004, and Big Ben (16-for-28, 316 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) prevailed 33-30 over Eli (16for-23, 182 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) at Giants Stadium.
“I think you always kinda want your draft class to be remembered, in a good way,” Manning said. Eli, Big Ben and Philip Rivers. “I’m kinda proud of Ben, and proud of Philip,” Manning said. “Look forward to these matchups.”
Big Ben is the better quarterback. Eli is the better playoff and Super Bowl quarterback.
And Eli was and is the better quarterback for New York, and for the Giants.
And now, with Big Ben and the Steelers in his way, for the Giants to be Men of Steel, they need Eli to be their Super Mann of Steel.