Breaking Down New York Giants’ Situation at Quarterback

Over the next few weeks (well, with an exception here and there for some special features I have planned), I’m going to take an in-depth look at each unit on the New York Giants.

For each unit, I’ll start with a review of the 2015 season. I’ll then look at where the unit can improve, cover some of the pressing questions, and then wrap it up with a look at the key new faces, where applicable.

Let’s kick things off with the quarterbacks.

 

2015 in Review

Starting quarterback Eli Manning, who unlike a year ago was coming off offseason ankle surgery, entered 2015 fully healthy and armed (pun intended) with a new rest-and-recovery regimen he started last year to help him minimize the wear and tear to his now-35-year-old throwing arm.

As a result, he set new career highs in completed passes (387) and touchdowns (35) while finishing with a career-best 93.6 passer rating in year two of the Ben McAdoo offense.

What’s even more impressive, Manning accomplished all this despite having one consistent receiving threat, that being Odell Beckham Jr. and an oftentimes invisible running game.

Signed to a new contract extension last September that, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen includes a “no-trade clause,” Manning is assured of finishing his career as a Giant.

Backup Ryan Nassib, meanwhile, also set some new career highs in his very limited opportunities. He completed five of five pass attempts for 68 yards and one touchdown in relief of Manning.

Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Nassib’s role is not expected to change so long as Manning is able to stand up. 

 

2016 Outlook: Where Can this Unit Improve?

Completion Percentage

In 2014, the first year of the McAdoo offense, a rather lofty goal was set for Manning to meet: completing 70 percent of his passes.

It sounds like a lofty goal, and it is. Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, that goal has only been reached “five times in NFL history, twice by Drew Brees and once each by Ken Anderson, Steve Young and Joe Montana,” but many have come close.

Last year, however, three starting quarterbacks came pretty close to hitting that mark.

Washington’s Kirk Cousins (69.8 percent), New Orleans’ Drew Brees (68.3 percent) and Seattle’s Russell Wilson (68.1 percent) all came pretty close to that 70 percent mark, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Like Manning, each of those three quarterbacks played in 75 percent or more of their team’s snaps.

Speaking of Manning, his 62.6 percent completion rate wasn’t bad considering he really didn’t have a consistent No. 2 option behind Beckham.

A closer look at Manning’s career completion percentage shows the highest he’s ever recorded in this category was in 2014 when …

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