Giants 2012 Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks
We kick off our daily position-by-position training camp preview with a look at the Giants’ quarterbacks.
The Players: Eli Manning, David Carr, Ryan Perrilloux
The Storylines: So what does a two-time Super Bowl MVP do for an encore, you ask? Well if it’s Eli Manning, you look to get better, of course.
How much better can he get? Well, if you’re wondering why Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady were ranked ahead of Manning in the NFL’s Top 100 Players poll, I’ll give you one possible reason that I’d be willing to bet is on Manning’s “to-do” list for this year: his 61% completion percentage. That number is lower than last year’s league-leader Brees (71.2%); Rodgers (68.3%); Brady (65.6%) and 10 other quarterbacks who logged at least 500 drop backs last season.
Want another stat that Manning would surely like to improve? How about his 16 interceptions, which were nine less than he posted in 2010, but still ten more than what Rodgers threw, and four more than what Brady tossed in 2011.
Yes, of his peers ranked ahead of him, Manning has the ring, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t get better, something Manning has gone so far as to admit.
Keep an Eye On: Forget about last season, when Ryan Perrilloux was shuffled on and off the practice squad. Although he probably won’t make the 53-ma roster – injuries will likely force the Giants to keep an extra body or two at some positions, which we’ll talk about as we work through this series.
During the spring practices, Perrilloux showed he has a very strong arm, throwing many passes on a rope with accuracy. The problem he had, and something that will bear watching once the preseason games begin, is his decision making.
During the spring practices, Perrilloux often times didn’t scan the entire field, at times rushing his passes (which was why suspect some of his shorter passes lacked touch when it was necessary). If he was rushing his passes despite not being pressured, how much worse will things be once he starts playing in games and gets legitimate pressure?
The answer to that question should go a long way toward determining Perrilloux’s future in the NFL.
Predictions: Nothing to see here, folks. For as long as he’s healthy, Manning will be the starter, and Carr, the backup. Perrilloux, meanwhile, will likely go back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
