Not even one day after throwing Eli Manning under the bus, coach Ben McAdoo decided to back the Grayhound up over his quarterback again.
On today’s post mortem conference call, the Giants head coach doubled down when asked about singling out Manning after Monday’s loss to the Lions.
“Did I single him out?” McAdoo said. “Well, we needed to get the ball snapped there. So, I thought that the quarterback and the center need to find a way to get the ball snapped before the clock hit zero. I’m not sure what you mean by calling him out, we need to get the ball snapped.”
Sure, but that fact is the Giants needed a field goal as well at that point, so it wasn’t a turning point of the game. They scored a field goal to cut the Lions lead to seven. It’s simply unbelievable to see a coach attacking his quarterback.
I spent years covering hockey and I know rule No. 1 when it comes to losses is never blame the goalie. Coaches and palyers don’t do it. It’s always that the lack of defense caused the goals, no matter how many Mr. Softies get into the net.
The same thing with the quarterback in football, especially with a two-time Super Bowl MVP. Most coaches tiptoe around the quarterback play, knowing it’s a team sport, and the most times poor decisions by the quarterback was caused by other factors. The first two games, Manning had no protection, which is why he was sacked five times. It’s pretty simple to see why Manning is not that confident.
But when asked about the play of left tackle Ereck Flowers, McAdoo offered support. “I thought Ereck did some good things in the ballgame last night and he gave up a couple sacks, had some pressures in there, but again it’s not all Ereck,” he said. “You can’t point all at one guy. We need to play better as an offensive unit.”
Okay, I guess that means you can’t point a finger unless it’s at Eli Manning. McAdoo may be tossing bombs at his quarterback, because he knows he can take it and maybe it will send shockwaves throughout the team.
Maybe, but that kind of psychological warfare can easily backfire on the coach, especially if they don’t turn it around. Manning is well respected by his teammates and has cache with the fans. McAdoo does not. Keep attacking Eli and he will lose the locker room. If that happens, he will be toast at the end of the season.
It may be better for him to concentrate on the things he is good at, such as running a good offense. He did it a coordinator, but it hasn’t worked as well since he became head coach.
It could be that Manning is a very different player compared to three years ago when McAdoo came over from Green Bay. Never a mobile quarterback, at 36, he’s now a statue in the pocket. It doesn’t mean Eli is done, but it does mean the plays need to be tailored to his skills at this point.
McAdoo needs to concentrate on running the team and give the play calling to offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. He needs to realize a head coach is judged on his record and not by how creative an offensive genius he can show the league. His job role changed when he took the job.
Otherwise the season will be lost and the Giants could be 0-4 by the time they play at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.
At that point, McAdoo’s words may be falling on deaf ears and all anyone will be talking about will be his job and who will replace him in 2018.
Changes are needed with Big Blue and McAdoo needs to do them right now.
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