Person of Interest: Giants’ Eli Manning
Dec 12, 2013, 9:11 AM | Updated: 9:18 am
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By Danny O’Neil
“Person of Interest” is a weekly feature in which we put the microscope on one player from the Seahawks’ upcoming opponent. This week, it’s New York’s Eli Manning.
Vitals
• Position: Franchise quarterback, habitual sloucher
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 218
• Age: 32
• Experience: 10th season
The storyline
He’s a bona fide franchise quarterback with the pelts on the wall to prove it: two Super Bowl victories. Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger are the only other two active quarterbacks who can claim that.
Those credentials earn some long-term latitude, but they don’t change the fact Manning has had a forgettable season. He has been picked off 20 times, which matches the second most in any of his 10 seasons since he was chosen No. 1 overall in 2004.
Manning has been picked off at least once in 10 of his team’s 13 games this season. Just as telling: he has been sacked 33 times, which is already the most of any season in his NFL career.
The statement
The Giants average 88 yards rushing per game, which is second-fewest in the conference, and it means New York will likely have to throw into the teeth of Seattle’s secondary.
You know what that means? Opportunities, and whether Seattle makes the most of those chances against a quarterback who has been picked off more often than any player in the league this season will be something to watch on Sunday.
“There’s been multiple times where I’ve seen him stare down other guys,” said Kam Chancellor, Seattle’s starting strong safety. “I think – as defensive players – you can get a jump on receivers like that.”
The Giants have committed 34 turnovers, which is most in the league. Twenty-three of those turnovers came in the first six games, however, when New York was 0-6. The Giants have committed 11 over the past seven, going 5-2 in that time.
