All Eyes on Eli for Giant Turnaround

Victor Cruz hears the criticism of his quarterback, but insists the Giants confidence in their two-time Super Bowl MVP has not waned.

- Ken Palmer

“No one is hitting the panic button on Eli Manning,” Cruz said.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh backed Cruz’s sentiment, expressing concern about Manning’s ability to change the game.

“The offense starts with the quarterback. That’s what we have to look at,” Harbaugh said. “I’m talking about from a defensive perspective; it starts with the quarterback. Really, I think most of the offenses in the league always do, especially when you have an Eli Manning. That’s something that we have to pay close attention to. We realize what we’re dealing with there and they build around the quarterback and it’s a wide open, no huddle, spread, calling plays at the line, tough. It’s tough on you. Eli does a great job of ID’ing the defense and finding the best play for it so that’s definitely where it starts.”

The Giants through five games were 27th in the NFL in scoring.

Manning has thrown just two touchdown passes the past four weeks, the fewest in the league. The longest reception by the trio of Odell Beckham Jr., Cruz and rookie Sterling Shepard during the past two games went for 16 yards.

“I feel like everybody wants [the offense] to just be perfect right off the bat and it’s still early. We have time, we’re going to fix things,” Shepard said. “I have no doubt in my mind that it is gonna be what everybody thought it would be.

“It’s just gonna take a little time. But we’re getting there.”