The New York Giants are a team looking to rebound and no one on the team needs that more than quarterback Eli Manning, as he had a career high 27 interceptions last year and now the team is setting the bar high, challenging the Super Bowl MVP to complete 70 percent of his passes this season.
According to ESPN.com, quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf said in training camp on Monday that he challenged Manning to the goal and while it might not be totally serious, it at least gives Manning a bar to reach. Last season Manning was 57.5 percent overall and that was pretty bad along with his interception total and now he has a new offensive coordinator coming in with Ben McAdoo taking over. Manning would have to have a historic season to get to 70 percent, since its only been done seven times and two of those are from Drew Brees in the past few years.
One reason Manning had such rough stats last season was due to the play of the offensive line and injuries and that is why it's welcome news that the team was awarded Mark Asper on waivers. According to Pro Football Talk, the Giants were awarded Asper on Monday, as he was put on waivers by the Buffalo Bills. The Giants need more depth at guard and he comes in after being active six times last season and previously played with the Vikings and Jaguars. Asper comes in as a big dude at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds and he previously was a sixth round pick from the Bills back in 2012.
Last season the Giants offense hit the wall after being much more productive over the past few seasons, ranking the bottom half of the league in passing yards and rushing yards per game. Manning had 27 picks and the team ranked 29th in rush yards per game and that is one reason why the Giants signed Rashad Jennings and drafted Andrew Williams. David Wilson is expected to be the third back in that mix along with Peyton Hillis and that could give the Giants a rushing attack for the first time in a number of years.
The defense performed better than it had over the past two seasons, but there is still room for improvement and the team comes in after signing a number of cornerbacks on the free agent market. The team ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed per game and now they have Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as well as Walter Thurmond in the mix after signing those players to join Prince Amukamara and Antrel Rolle in the secondary.
