Spotlight: Mario Manningham

but I think Manningham could be poised for a big season. Last year was a waste, but I think he’s got a ton of talent and if he can stay healthy could be a big piece of the WR puzzle.

Before Hixon, we hadn’t had a dynamic kick returner since Dave Meggett. I agree with you on hoping some guys play great, and get Hixon back where he belongs, and out of this Peter Principle dynamic. Not really saying Hixon isn’t a competent receiver, but he was excellent on returns.

its always nice to connect with that extra ham.

also who’s the first reciever to get cut? seems like a 3 way battle between manningham, moss and tyree for the last 2 spots, right? anybody know anything about the others guys i never heard of?

I don’t think all the focus is on me. We’re a wide receiver unit.

Mario is partially correct, as himself not being the focus point, but it’s the whole unit, that’s going to be the focus. It’s been the focus for how many months now? What i fear is the idea of “a wide receiver unit”, collectively having to be successful. Personally, that would give me the message that no one has stepped up, and no improvements have been made! But i do know, some player’s will be brought along in more of a specialized way too, but that doesn’t help within the more, playing full time aspect.

Would it seem fair to put more pressure on Mario? At this point, going into his second season, yes. Actually, moreso with Moss. It’s time to progress, not regress. Though anything will seem like progression with Mario’s stats. lol What is encouraging, if he’s not thinking as much and just playing, perhaps he could emerge as the unforeseen go-to-guy?

Afterall, he did have nice numbers at Michigan and it wouldn’t hurt my feeling’s if he could duplicate some of that here!

I honestly think that Mario is going to have more of a contribution this year than Nicks Will.. at least in the beginning of the season. I think Ramses is a candidate to lead Wide Receivers in touchdowns simply because he may only get playing time in the red zone. Smith will probably lead the team in catches and yards. I see Boss having 600+ receiving yards and as many as 8 TD catches.

He was a HUGE steal in the third round, he could have been a late first-rounder if he hadn’t been pulled over in a car with painkillers in it…. just from playing flag my body takes a pounding, I think if I played college football I’d treat myself to some painkillers as well. He just has to be smart enough to get a prescription now.

Nicks and Smith starting. Mario the slot receiver. Hixon the fourth, or Barden (although he could just be red zone). Tyree for special teams and occasionaly receiving. Moss on the street with a tear in his eye.

How do you feel about the notion that defenses will no longer have to honor the Plax factor and either stack the box to stop Jacobs or bring more pressure on Eli? I noticed my Cowboys had a much different strategy in the second game last year. Will this carry over?

Additionally, do you have any concerns about Eli regressing without a solid #1 receiver?

Great site. Ed Valentine is a class act.

It’s difficult to adequately consider WR play outside the context of team performance… offense and defense. It’s probable that WRs outside Plax and Toomer didn’t step up with their best because starting positions were taken. With Plax and Toomer gone, and by their own admission the worries of remembering routes and reads detracting from explosiveness and separation, receivers like Manningham and Moss will… barring injury… contribute much more this year than last. Smith, Hixon, Moss, Manningham, Nicks, Barden, and Tyree will be a solid young and quick receiving corps this season, even without a true #1 like Burress. The running game will still be one of the best in the NFL, and that will continue to bolster the play action passing game, because the Giants will still be an offense based on running the ball. The O line is the best in the NFL, so the running game will average 125+ a game, and they’ll give Eli time to get the ball deep. Gilbride won’t come with the same plays as he had with Plax on the field, and they’ll have an entire camp and preseason to perfect those plays. Finally, the defense will be better this year with the return of Osi, excellent free agent acquisitions Canty, Bernard, Boley, and CC Brown, and the maturation of Alford, Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, Ross and Webster. There aren’t going to be a lot of games when Eli and his receiving corps have to air it out and score a bunch to win. These WRs couldn’t be in a better position to just go out there and do what they can do, without having to worry about the entire season resting on their shoulders because there’s no running game, offensive line, and/or the defense is going to give up points in bunches every week. Eli’s stats won’t be fantastic, but he’ll be a winning QB going into the playoffs, which is a damn site better than cranking up Brees’ yardage numbers and watching the playoffs on TV.