• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Eagles Hope to Fare Better Vs. Eli Manning

Posted on: Sunday, 28 November 2004, 12:00 CST

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles already lost to one rookie quarterback this season. They hope for better success against Eli Manning and the New York Giants today.

The heralded No. 1 overall draft pick makes his second career start for the Giants (5-5) against the Eagles (9-1). Manning should be encouraged by Ben Roethlisberger's performance against the Eagles in Pittsburgh's 27-3 victory earlier this month.

"This will be a real pressure test," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "There isn't any question about where Philadelphia is coming from defensively. They certainly have their entire package in. Their timing is very good. They are coming with the full package of pressure, whether it be from the secondary or from the linebackers."

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson usually gives young quarterbacks fits. He confuses them with complicated blitzes and various coverage schemes.

Helped by a strong running game that gained 252 yards, Roethlisberger had little trouble against the Eagles. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson said he couldn't compare Manning to Roethlisberger, the 11th overall pick, because they haven't nearly played the same amount. Manning was 17-for-37 for 162 yards, one TD, two interceptions and was sacked once in New York's 14-10 home loss to Atlanta last week.

"He kind of settled down in the second half and made some nice throws," Johnson said. "He's a legit NFL quarterback and it's a matter of how fast he comes along. But you see a nice arm and a very smart quarterback. He made one mistake on a blitz where he threw an interception, but overall he looked like he managed the game pretty well, especially in the second half."

Manning should expect cornerbacks, safeties or linebackers to come at him at any time. Nine of Philadelphia's 29 sacks have come from those three positions, including six from the secondary.

"We don't blitz all the time, but situationally we do blitz," said free safety Brian Dawkins, who has three sacks. "We do disguise and we try and pressure you into doing certain things. With any gifted quarterback, if you allow him to sit back there and pat the ball and view the field, they are going to eat you up."

Manning probably could use advice from his brother, Peyton, on playing the Eagles. Peyton Manning picked apart Johnson's defense in Indianapolis' 35-13 victory over the Eagles two years ago, throwing for 319 yards and three TDs.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

More News in this Category