Buchanty
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 637
- Reaction score
- 286
Do the Pats wait to play pressure until the second half or do they go after manning right away and hope the DBs can cover Burress, Smith etc? Should be interesting. I dont think they want Manning to build up confidence in the SB.
You bring up an interesting point, because I just cant work Eli out. All through the season he has been erratic and inconsistent. He has been much better during the playoffs and has emerged with the confidence that he should have from four years in the NFL.
BUT and its a nagging but, I still saw evidence of that inconsistency on Sunday. He was fine from the start until about half way through the 2nd quarter, throwing with authority and some accuracy in difficult conditions. Burress had a lot to do with his success though as Plaxico was playing the game of his career and looks like the best receiver in the playoffs as we speak. And then as the clock wound down towards half time, he started playing poorly, rushing his passes, missing his targets and taking on the choirboy in a harem look.
Second half was much better, but once again as the clock wound down his confidence seemed to lag, the incompletions mounted up one after the other. He didnt have the lost look though as maybe he felt that they still had a chance, or (and sorry for being negative) he could always blame Tynes for any loss. During both those periods I was betting with my son as to when his first interception was due. He was lucky on two dead certs that the Packs dropped or slipped on.
So to answer your point - I agree it would be nice to make sure he never gets any confidence or rhythm going, but I would only add that once its there it can just as quickly be removed.
Finally I live too close to NY to escape the Giants mania, and the one thing that has me puzzling the most is the claim that Manning has arrived and has turned the corner towards being a top flight QB (at least they havent claimed elite status yet). I remain to be convinced that he is a game changing QB or leader.
The Defense is pretty good, other than the usual suspects Tuck has had a pretty good season, and I am impressed with Aaron Ross at CB, who I think should have been the backup to Willis on Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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