If you’re one of the many who believe the New York Giants’ offense will struggle without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., then quarterback Eli Manning doesn’t believe in you.
Almost defiantly, yet true to his optimistic form, Manning told NFL Network on Saturday that the team’s offense could be drastically improved in 2019 despite Beckham now residing in Cleveland.
“I think we can be productive and score more points and be a better offense this year,” Manning said, via Pro Football Talk.
Without having to force the ball to Beckham in order to keep him satisfied, the Giants’ offense opens up and becomes a bit more target-rich. At least in Manning’s mind, anyway.
“Odell obviously has that tremendous playmaking ability, he can catch a slant and turn it into a touchdown at any moment,” Manning said. “But I think Saquon, in his second year, the way he came on — he played great in the first half but that second half he was coming on and doing everything. Running the ball, catching the ball, we learned how to use him.
“I think Sterling Shepard, getting him going, getting Evan Engram playing to his potential, and then Golden Tate, a run-after-catch guy, a playmaker. I think the offensive line we made some additions, bringing in [Kevin] Zeitler at guard and those guys, I think the second year of that offensive line together will make a difference and everybody going into the second year.”
That has been the overriding belief in East Rutherford despite relentless doubt and criticism from the outside. And if history is any indication, this is the exact type of environment Manning and the Giants tend to thrive.
