Point Spreads » NFL Football » Another Manning Making Connections

Another Manning Making Connections

by Thomas Jensen on Friday, May 18th, 2007

Another Manning Making Connections New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is 1-for-2 in connecting with his go-to guys this offseason.

The superb athlete figures to be 2-for-2 b the end of this week. Manning finally persuaded wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who typically works out in Miami during the offseason, to join him in improving their on-field rapport during voluntary team workouts at Giants Stadium. BetUS.com has the New York Giants at +3000 to win the Super Bowl XLII in Arizona next February 2008.

Manning and Burress might have also persuaded tight end Jeremy Shockey to leave South Beach a few weeks earlier than usual; Shockey has also long chosen to train with his former Miami Hurricanes teammates during the offseason. But he is expected to join Manning and Burress this week.

The Giants are now Manning’s team, with the retirement of running back Tiki Barber. And the positive responses by Burress and Shockey were strong indications of the respect Manning is commanding and the maturity Burress and Shockey are showing.

Burress snatch the need to put in more time with Manning after the Giants went 8-8 last season and dead-ended in another one-and-done playoff exit, at the end of the day this is all unacceptable. Coach Tom Coughlin said one of the team's biggest problems was its inability to score more last season.
Manning remains a work in progress. His 57.7 completion percentage in 2006 is well below the ideal of 62% or better and is an indicator of the need for better synergy with his biggest aerial weapons.

Transactions: Placed S Claudius Osei, TE Jason Randall, RB James Sims and G Matt Tarullo on waivers. Re-signed ERFA DE Adrian Awasom. Placed G Joel Clinger (failed physical) on waivers.