Eli Looks Nervous...

[aluminum seats]

Just saw him on TV, and there just seemed to be the beginning of a deer in headlights thing going on there. One of the reasons the Giants have played so much better on the road vs. at home is the expectations on the road are lower--typically you're the underdog, and if you screw up you don't have the hometown fans screaming at you wanting to rip your head off.

So for 3 weeks, Eli has played over his head, playing on the road, where he wasn't expected to win (well, Tampa was essentially a coin toss) and if he messed up, no big deal.

Now, I realize the Giants are still underdogs, but there's no escaping the pressure of the Super Bowl--the whole world watching, on the books forever, etc. Seattle, for example, got bounced easily this year by Green Bay--will anyone remember that in 5 years? Hell, does anybody remember that now? But performances in Super Bowls are remembered.

I know it's early to talk about the actual game, but let me just say this--if the Pats get off to a strong start, and the pressure is put on Eli's shoulders to win it for NY, we might just have a relaxed viewing experience.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

you raise an interesting point, tho i don't think we should read too much into a single appearance.

Has Eli found himself or has he been playing over his head? His genes would suggest he's found himself. Everything he's done for two years would suggest he's playing over his head. We'll find out in ten days or so.

 

[TX_Patriot]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

And to think his Bro wouldn't give him any advice...LOL! I'm sure Peyton will be in his ear all week, but he'll be on his own when he steps on the field.

I agree, we need to get after Eli early. Everyone talks about all the sacks the Giants have, well the Pats aren't that far behind. (53 vs 47). Granted we may have to blitz for the sack , but pressure is pressure.

 

[sbcpats70]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

If I were Eli, I'd take any advice offered by Peyton and do the exact opposite.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Does Eli ever look like he knows what's going on?

 

[PatsRule]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Crown their arses. The Giants are toast.

The SI jinx is on

 

[Watson's IQ]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Does Eli ever look like he knows what's going on?

I was going to say the same thing. Has anyone ever seen Eli over his entire career in the NFL and not say he looks nervous or confused? That's just how he looks... Remember how the cameras caught him after the Green Bay game searching around frantically for his parents in the stands? He had the same look then, and he'd just locked up a bid to the Super Bowl.

 

[PatsRule]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Eli melting down is the last thing I'm worried about. He may appear like a rube, not quite comfortable with all the attention, but on the football field, he's NAILS. I believe that's a result from enduring the constant anal exam he's had since arriving in NY.And of course, growing up a Manning couldn't hurt.

Ya like he did all season,if you dont think all the hoopla will not affect him in the game then there is a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell ya..

 

[Watson's IQ]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Eli melting down is the last thing I'm worried about. He may appear like a rube, not quite comfortable with all the attention, but on the football field, he's NAILS. I believe that's a result from enduring the constant anal exam he's had since arriving in NY.And of course, growing up a Manning couldn't hurt.

Are you dead serious with this? I have several good friends who are Giants fans, and Eli melting down is precisely the number ONE thing they are worried about. This is a guy whose career high QB rating is 77, and until this year has never won a playoff game. I'll be the first to admit he seems to have really come on in the last month, but it's FOUR games. The week before the New England game? he put up a QB rating of 32 against Buffalo, his worst of the year.

Honestly, the kid wins three playoff games and suddenly he's Joe Montana.

If Eli regressing to Bad Eli isn't your number one concern, then I don't know where your head is at.

 

[PatsRule]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

You think I'm some kind of idiot? I already bought that bridge from some guy 5 years ago.

Nice comeback pond scum...lol

 

[Watson's IQ]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

It seems like every single season we have that several weeks of "Is Eli turning the corner?" talk after he puts up a few good games. That's perfectly natural when you're a former #1 pick, but until he puts it together for a full season, color me unconvinced. It's at least as likely that he completely falls apart in the SB as it is that he continues his high level of play. I don't need to find you the stats about what BB does to mistake-prone QBs the second time he sees them, but they speak for themselves. Not to mention the SB defense he sees is likely to be a tad more complex than the vanilla scheme he saw in week 17.

 

[BadMoFo]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

If anyone is going to fall apart in this game I'd rank them like this:

1) Eli Manning
2) Plaxico Burress
3) Randy Moss
4) Ellis Hobbs

These are the likely candidates to have an off game due to the pressures of playing in a Super Bowl.

 

[C'est La Vie]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

I was going to say the same thing. Has anyone ever seen Eli over his entire career in the NFL and not say he looks nervous or confused? That's just how he looks... Remember how the cameras caught him after the Green Bay game searching around frantically for his parents in the stands? He had the same look then, and he'd just locked up a bid to the Super Bowl.

Yeah, I thought he was going to cry

You gotta be foogin kiddin me.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

If anyone is going to fall apart in this game I'd rank them like this:

1) Eli Manning
2) Plaxico Burress
3) Randy Moss
4) Ellis Hobbs

These are the likely candidates to have an off game due to the pressures of playing in a Super Bowl.

Why on earth would you put Hobbs anywhere near that list?

 

[BeantownRox]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Are you dead serious with this? I have several good friends who are Giants fans, and Eli melting down is precisely the number ONE thing they are worried about. This is a guy whose career high QB rating is 77, and until this year has never won a playoff game. I'll be the first to admit he seems to have really come on in the last month, but it's FOUR games. The week before the New England game? he put up a QB rating of 32 against Buffalo, his worst of the year.

Honestly, the kid wins three playoff games and suddenly he's Joe Montana.

If Eli regressing to Bad Eli isn't your number one concern, then I don't know where your head is at.

It shouldn't be much of a suprise, they do this every year with the *it* player. If they lose, that's the end of it.. if they win, well, they call that the Tom Brady Maneuver.

 

[aluminum seats]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

If anyone is going to fall apart in this game I'd rank them like this:

1) Eli Manning
2) Plaxico Burress
3) Randy Moss
4) Ellis Hobbs

These are the likely candidates to have an off game due to the pressures of playing in a Super Bowl.

This seems like kind of an odd list.......although I'd agree w/Eli at the top. As for the Pats, I know they haven't all experience a Super Bowl yet, but there's so many veterans on this team who know how next week works, I just think collectively that's an enormous advantage.

 

[NEPatriot]

Re: Eli Looks Nervous.....

Yeah, I thought he was going to cry

You gotta be foogin kiddin me.

he was asked where his sister was and he didn't know.