[Lefty Noob]

Is Eli Manning ready to join the ranks of the elite NFL quarterbacks? According to Yahoo! Sports writer Charles Robinson, that has less to do with Eli and more to do with his supporting cast.

"Clearly, Eli has one of the NFL's best running backs in Tiki Barber, who raked in a combined 2,390 yards rushing and receiving last year to go along with 11 total touchdowns," says Robinson. "Unfortunately, Barber turned 31 this offseason, and he is getting close to that invisible wall that running backs hit in their early 30s... More importantly, Manning will need consistent strides from Plaxico Burress, who is still showing the same focus and attitude problems he had during his days in Pittsburgh."

So what should we expect out of Archie's wunderkind and his supporting cast of Barber, Burress, Toomer and Shockey in 2006?

[EmpireWF]

I expect the Giants offense to be a smooth machine in 06 and improve on what they accomplished (minus the last few games + playoffs). Eli Manning will now be in his 3rd year, second full season as QB. You have Tiki (who's one of the best in the game), Plaxico (hopefully he won't become a problem), Amani, Shockey and now Sinorice Moss.

Add to the fact that the OLine should be good and hopefully the playcalling will improve.

[24/8/48fan]

Plaxico is the answer for Manning, he needs to step up and be his regular go to guy.

[Trashed]

With Tiki running the ball and a very solid offensive line Eli will have plenty of oppportunities against a tight defense to make some plays. Despite his terrible completion percentage in 2005 he DID toss 24 TDs and rack up almost 3500 yds in the air. His flaws will fade with experience and Eli will in my opinion join the elite QBs in football.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Trashed

With Tiki running the ball and a very solid offensive line Eli will have plenty of oppportunities against a tight defense to make some plays. Despite his terrible completion percentage in 2005 he DID toss 24 TDs and rack up almost 3500 yds in the air. His flaws will fade with experience and Eli will in my opinion join the elite QBs in football.

I am with you Trashed my man...how many second year kids throw 24 TDs?...not many...not many at all...but he does have a plethora of great receivers to throw to...that helps...

[Lefty Noob]

So most everyone's in agreement that Eli's on his way to elite status? Any naysayers out there?

[mervinout]

i personally hate plex he doesnt make a big catch, he goes away in big games, which he also did in pittsburgh i would of much rather seen a diff wr in here, and i know im going to here you couldnt get a better wr then plex. But he adds to the egos on offense which keeps eli from having control, i think barber and shockey would of been enough for eli to pop his head out but plex and barber and shockey give him no ability to be a quote'r or anything else an elite qb should be

[legend]

If you need a naysayer, I'm your man. Eli is going to send at least one of his receivers to the DL with his constant high throws. Just because his brother is a great regular season QB that doesn't make Eli one. Anyone remember Walter Payton's brother, Eddie? The Giants have a BRUTAL schedule, Tiki is due to get hurt with all the plays he has to make, and their receiving corps is VASTLY overrated, starting with Jeremy Shockey, who catches every other pass.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

If you need a naysayer, I'm your man. Eli is going to send at least one of his receivers to the DL with his constant high throws. Just because his brother is a great regular season QB that doesn't make Eli one. Anyone remember Walter Payton's brother, Eddie? The Giants have a BRUTAL schedule, Tiki is due to get hurt with all the plays he has to make, and their receiving corps is VASTLY overrated, starting with Jeremy Shockey, who catches every other pass.

Oh please Legend...Getting down on Carew was bad enough...but comparing Eli to Eddie Payton...geez, that's below the belt...the Kid threw for 24 TD's in jsut his second year in a big fish tank called New York...I am sure he will figure out the rest...heck, by his 3rd or 4th year people were saying Peyton Manning was chucking too many interceptions...What do you want out of a second year pro...40 TDs?

[mervinout]

ill take a qb who throws 24 tds in his first full season throwing off his backfoot, he has the arm he has the arcuarcy which you either have or you dont. He has the mental ability to play in NY unlike a kenny rogers that does well everywhere else. Mechanics can be fixed mental make up and strength cant. Why you think in baseball players who throw in the mid 90's get multiple chances compared to a poor mans greg maddux. Eli will be fine, Im glad the giants play the colts in the first game because Eli can finally put that behind him and not have to worry about the what if's people keep asking. He will be fine and so will the giants. and to call Shockey overrated is just plain stupid in my book, theres one TE in the game that i would take over shockey and he plays in SD.

[Trashed]

Well Shockey is elite but he didnt catch many more passes than he did the year before so to say he catches every other pass is silly. As for the rest of the Giants recievers its debatable. Burress is frightfully sporadic and a headcase to boot. I said they should have signed Travis Taylor who they could have gotten a lot cheaper and look what hes doing with the Vikes! Hes actually keeping high 1st round pick Williamson off the field! Toomer is good but nothing more. Now Peyton Manning has elite recievers in spades. Two things that will help Eli though is Tiki's fantastic ability to catch the ball in the flat and of course the signing of Sinorice Rice.