Good morning, New York Giants' fans! Here are your Friday morning links.
Tiki Barber defends Eli, says the QB’s problems are mental | New York Post
Barber told WFAN on Thursday Manning’s dreadful 2013 season — the quarterback has thrown an NFL-high 26 interceptions — is a mental issue.
"He’s done great things, but he doesn’t do it consistently," Barber said. "What makes someone great in the history, in the annals of an organization or a league? It’s consistency. The problem with Eli, as of late, I think, is there’s something physically off. There’s definitely a confidence issue."
Barber, however, blamed the Giants’ injury-ravaged, under-performing offensive line for Manning’s skittishness and lack of production this year despite a career that includes three Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl MVP trophies.
"It has everything to do with those five guys [on the line] — and really it’s been eight over the course of this year — in front of him that just can’t get it done," Barber said. "He’s constantly throwing off his back foot. I feel like he’s pressing sometimes to make some throws and they end up sailing on him.
"It’s because of confidence," Barber added, "and I think because he’s gotten the crap beat out of him."
Valentine's View: I have rarely agreed with anything Barber has said about the Giants over the years, and generally I wish he just would not comment on Manning, Tom Coughlin or anything else to do with his former team. It's hard not to agree with the idea that there is a correlation between his poor play and the pounding he has taken this season.
Done Diehl? | New York Daily News
Could David Diehl's career be done after Sunday's game?
The Giants' guard, who is dealing with a knee injury but hopes to play Sunday against Washington, wouldn't say for sure either way on Thursday. But it certainly did seem possible.
It’s easy to misjudge matured, team-first Giants captain Rolle | New York Post
"Him and coach Coughlin clashed a little bit at first and because he was the new guy some guys got the wrong impression,’’ said defensive end Justin Tuck, who has known Rolle since he was in high school. "But over the last [few] years, man, ’Trel has been the consummate pro, a true leader for this football team — not only for what he says, but because what he’s done on the football field has backed up every ounce of what he says.’’
Asked how much he has changed since he came to the Giants, Rolle laughed.
"Oh [bleep], man, night and day,’’ Rolle told The Post. "I didn’t understand a whole lot, didn’t see things clearly. Looking at it now, I understand what coach Coughlin was trying to instill in this team — everyone doing the same thing the right way, just being one. My first year here, I didn’t respond to it too well.’’
Now look at him. Coughlin, who is no softie, beams with pride seeing what Rolle has become. So, too, do Rolle’s teammates.
For Giants' Hakeem Nicks, numbers tell story of a disappointing season | NJ.com
Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks not only hasn't scored a touchdown this season, he has just one catch in the red zone.
Season finale might be Tuck's last as a Giant - Yahoo Sports
Justin Tuck is well aware that Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins might be his last as a New York Giant. Tuck is schedule to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and it remains to be seen how much money the Giants are willing to pay a player who will turn 31 in March. He has a team-high nine sacks and has played well against the run, according to defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.