Former Giants OC blames offensive line for Eli Manning’s struggles

Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws away a pass as he is hit by Washington Redskins defensive end Kedric Golston (64) in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants failed to qualify for the postseason and starting quarterback Eli Manning struggled greatly throughout the season. After their year was officially in the books, Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride called it a career, but he wasn’t done giving his thoughts on the team’s offense.

During a recent radio appearance, Gilbride said that it was the offensive line’s lack of consistency that directly led to the difficulties that Manning experienced this season.

“It just made it impossible for our quarterback to function,” Gilbride told Alex Marvez and Bill Polian on Sirius XM radio.

“He’s a guy where if you give him enough time, he’s always going to be throwing the ball to the right person, he’s going to know what you’re doing defensively, he’s going to see through your disguises, he’s going to be an accurate passer. But he’s not a scrambler and you’ve got to give him some help. And if you give him some help he’s proven that he can win a championship for you.”

While the line is certainly to blame, Manning shouldn’t get off free.

Manning threw for 27 interceptions this season, which was the most in the NFL this season and the most thrown by a quarterback in a single-season since 2005.

If the Giants are going to turn things around next season, they will need to see plenty of improvement in multiple areas of their team.

Topics: Eli Manning, New York Giants

Josh Sanchez

Josh majored in journalism at Seton Hill University and is currently Editor-in-Chief for FanSided.com and a member of the Football Writers Association of America. Prior to joining FanSided.com as editor, Josh was senior editor at NFLSpinZone.com, TheLandryHat.com, CagePages.com and NFLMocks.com. His work has been featured on various media outlets including: ESPN.com, SportsIllustrated.com, NFL.com, FOXSports.com and CBSSports.com. You can e-mail Josh at [email protected]

Joseph Bulger

I trust you’re reading your own articles here Josh… as in, enough of the OLB, DE, CB and other similar 1st day mock draft picks by the Giants. Gilbride’s right of course. Eli won’t be Eli until his line affords him time to be Eli, and without Eli the Giants are one of those unfortunate teams without a franchise QB… all the defensive upgrades won’t amount to squat without Eli being Eli. But Eli will lose his #1 WR to FA, and he needs an experienced, fast, play making TE, and a RB… get all that and fix the O-line? Sure… 12th pick Greg Robinson or if he’s not there Cedric Ogbuehi, then 43rd pick Cyril Richardson or La’el Collins. Wrap it up on day 1 with the line addressed… and importantly Reese commits HALF the cap for BOTH, COMBINED, that he’d otherwise spend in FA for a single starter quality O-lineman. Beatty-Richardson-Baas-Pugh-Robinson in front of Eli, with Richardson and Pugh and Robinson total CAP hit about $5.4M… or $2.6M less than just Baas. Save the $8M in FA CAP and instead spend some of it on Jimmy Graham as Eli’s TE in 2014, and the rest on Mario Manningham who knows the offense and can play on day 1 to replace Murphy, who didn’t give Eli anything. Randle, Cruz, Manningham, Jimmy Graham. The new OC will have to change things up a bit since there’s no real standout #1 WR, but behind a good O-line Eli will find those guys, and A. Brown, D. Wilson and a day 2 RB draft pick won’t be at the bottom of the league in rushing.