The on-field presence of star wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz remains quite the tease for the Giants, who can only hope what they’re seeing now on the practice field is what they end up seeing in their September 11 season opener in Texas against the Cowboys.
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The head coach has to make every player feel important, but McAdoo acknowledged that Manning gets most of the attention whether it’s positive or negative. “He just had to get some live action and is playing some football”.
This will also be the last time before Friday that McAdoo is scheduled to meet the media – offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and special teams coordinator Tom Quinn will be the only members of the coaching staff with news conferences on Wednesday.
Another added weapon for Manning in 2016 is second round pick out of Oklahoma, Sterling Shepard, another wide out who looks like the real deal.
Manning will get a chance to see how far the offense has come when the Giants host to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night. “I try and kind of tell them things that it was tough for me to understand the first time”, Manning said.
Jason Pierre-Paul was shaken up briefly after stuffing a run play near the goal line, though he stretched out and returned for the next 11-on-11 series unfazed.
Cruz has been attempting a come back since he sustained a torn patellar tendon in Week 6 of the 2014 National Football League season. The seven-year veteran is still trying to regain his explosiveness.
“We’re more on the same page with things”, Manning said. “We’ll continue to move him to different spots and let him grow within the offense and be that much sharper”.
The Shredder, piggybacking off Harvey’s cartoon theme, for what Manning has done commanding Big Blue’s aerial attack so far at the Meadowlands. He has flourished in McAdoo’s system, throwing 65 touchdowns against 28 interceptions over the last two seasons. Everyone, including the quarterback, needs to play better. “I think as a quarterback you have a big responsibility”, Manning said. “You can never get [too good] at communicating”. I’ve got to do my job.
For his part, Manning understands that playing at a high level takes extra work as he ages.
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That leaves Manning no time for Father Time.
