Just Good Enough

Dear Ben and the Daves,

 

I don't see the Giants collapsing this year, not with the schedule they have left. I think 10-6 is the worst outcome for them, which should be enough to get you to the playoffs. The question is whether, long term, you'd be better off with a new coach. I just don't think Coughlin is a guy that can take you to the next level. And the more years you keep winning the wild card slot in the playoffs, then losing in the first 2 rounds, the more often you end up keeping Coughlin.

 

Phillies fans went through this with Charlie Manuel down the stretch. We desperately wanted a new manager but even more desperately wanted to just make the damn playoffs. And lo' and behold, he made the right moves to make the playoffs. Now we're stuck with him.

 

As for Eli and the wedding conversation, I was there and can't remember who was making which points, but yes, I agree with that assessment of Manning. He's deep enough into his career that he's not going to turn into a superstar. He's just not. In his fourth season, Brady was winning his second Super Bowl throwing for more than 3,600 yards, 23 TDs and just 12 INTs.

 

In his brother's fourth season, Peyton had his 3rd straight 4,000-yard season.

 

Unfair comparison? Then let's compare to McNabb, who in his fourth season -- 2002 -- played just 10 games but threw for 2,300 yards, 17 TDs and just 6 INTs.

 

Eli is not going to develop into one of the top 3 QBs, but I don't think he's a loser QB who should be tossed aside, either. He is what he is, an average to good QB who on days when he's asked to do too much for the entire course of a game, collapses. He can instead become every bit as good as Kerry Collins in his best season,  he can be a good game manager on a team built around a power running game with a strong defense.

 

That's my take.

 

-          - PK