Despite woes, appreciation for Manning
There is always discussion and intrigue whenever Ben McAdoo talks about Eli Manning. McAdoo is unfailing in his praise of Manning’s work ethic — he says he never has been around a quarterback who prepares more thoroughly, and McAdoo worked with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay — but it is the often blunt appraisal of Manning’s performance that attracts the greatest scrutiny.
Perhaps McAdoo needs to tell his franchise quarterback, and the public, more often how much he appreciates him.
“I think that sometimes I take for granted the type of guy he is and the way he prepares,’’ McAdoo told the team website. “I say things in press conferences where you have to hold all players accountable. He’s accomplished so many things in this league at a high level, but he still needs to be held accountable.’’
Manning and Tom Coughlin had a different sort of bond. Coughlin was there with Manning in 2004 when both arrived in New York. The two Super Bowl triumphs are shared career highlights. When Coughlin critiqued Manning, it almost always sounded grandfatherly. McAdoo came aboard in 2014 as the offensive coordinator and helped Manning rejuvenate the passing game with a new offensive system. Last season was a regression, with McAdoo as the head coach, and this season has been a disaster.
“The past is something that we all learn from and we all hold dearly in some instances, and some instances we don’t,’’ McAdoo said. “I respect everything he’s done and accomplished in this league. But right now, we need to win and we need to play better and I don’t like to grade players in the media or in the public, but everyone needs to be held accountable and he’s going to be held accountable just like everybody else in this building that’s under my watch. Period.
“Does that mean I don’t have faith and confidence in him? Heck no. I’ve got a ton of faith, a ton of confidence in him. I always have. I always will. Do I say it enough to him? Probably not. I wasn’t raised in a warm and fuzzy environment, but I do have a lot of confidence in Eli and I have confidence that we’re going to right this ship and make a run.”
Manning played poorly in the 51-17 loss to the Rams, dropping the Giants to 1-7. Manning this week said McAdoo told him “he’s got faith in me and keep grinding.’’
Asked about his relationship with McAdoo, Manning said, “Coach and I, hey, we communicate well. Have great confidence in each other and have a good relationship.’’
Asked if the relationship has been tested this season, Manning added: “No. I haven’t been tested. I mean, I think, hey, he’s the coach. I’m the quarterback and just trying to keep getting bet
ter and keep working.’’