Manning struggles in first minicamp workout...
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- Start date
article didn't come up for me
I'm sure it went something like, "I want to thank my dad, who sucked as a quarterback, for adding all this fun pressure when I haven't even thrown a ball yet. Now I know what Paulis felt like at ND."
I'm sure it went something like, "I want to thank my dad, who sucked as a quarterback, for adding all this fun pressure when I haven't even thrown a ball yet. Now I know what Paulis felt like at ND."
sorry about that.....try again.
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Manning struggles in first minicamp workout
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
May 7, 2004
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Eli Manning's first minicamp workout with the New York Giants was somewhat of a bust.
The top pick in the NFL daft botched two snaps, threw an interception and slipped on another pass, sending a wobbling duck of a toss on a 30-30 route, 30-yards up in the air and 30 yards downfield.
But it was caught by Tim Carter for a completion.
``I still have a lot of improvement to make, a lot to learn,'' an unflustered Manning said after lunch, surrounded by about 50 reporters. ``It's going to be a long process and I look forward to it.''
The Giants had to expect a lot more on Day 1 of their new era.
New York mortgaged the future on draft day, trading the rights to North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers, along with a third-round pick in the recent draft and first and fifth-round picks next year to San Diego for the son of Archie Manning and the brother of the Colts' Peyton Manning.
Eli Manning was labeled the next John Elway, and his acquisition led to the release of Kerry Collins a week later.
As about 30 still and television camera crews filmed his every throw and about 30 reporters -- a horde worthy of a playoff practice -- watched his every move Friday, Manning looked very much like a rookie.
He made some nice passes, but free agent rookie quarterback Jared Lorenzen threw the ball with more zip.
The fumbles on the snaps were sloppy. Manning worked with two different centers in the drills.
``He had excellent huddle command,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said a little sarcastically.
But Coughlin, who spoke with Manning after the fumbles, also liked what he saw from the Mississippi quarterback.
``He's fine, he's going to be fine,'' Coughlin said. ``It will take a little time. There are a lot of things to adjust to. Obviously all the new things thrown at him, the different receivers, the different people working with him, the high grass. It will come. It will be fine.''
Center Shaun O'Hara said it's too early to make any judgments.
``It's like trying to figure out how tall a kid is going to be after he is nine months old,'' O'Hara said. ``You can't put too much into it. Let him weather the storm. He got in yesterday. He doesn't know where he is now.''
Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan said Manning is like a deer in the headlights now.
``I'm just expecting him to come in and do his best,'' Strahan said. ``I don't think there is any pressure on him to come and take over this team and be the man. I think he has to understand we are all willing to wait and to be patient with him.''
Manning handled the situation like a veteran. He made no excuses. He said he planned to work hard, and showed a sense of humor when asked about all the attention.
``There is more press here than the whole state of Mississippi combined,'' Manning said.
Even with Collins gone, Manning refused to claim the starting job. He said his first goal is to earn the respect of his new teammates.
``I am going to prepare myself for the first game,'' Manning said. ``If they put me in, I am going to be ready.''
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Manning struggles in first minicamp workout
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
May 7, 2004
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Eli Manning's first minicamp workout with the New York Giants was somewhat of a bust.
The top pick in the NFL daft botched two snaps, threw an interception and slipped on another pass, sending a wobbling duck of a toss on a 30-30 route, 30-yards up in the air and 30 yards downfield.
But it was caught by Tim Carter for a completion.
``I still have a lot of improvement to make, a lot to learn,'' an unflustered Manning said after lunch, surrounded by about 50 reporters. ``It's going to be a long process and I look forward to it.''
The Giants had to expect a lot more on Day 1 of their new era.
New York mortgaged the future on draft day, trading the rights to North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers, along with a third-round pick in the recent draft and first and fifth-round picks next year to San Diego for the son of Archie Manning and the brother of the Colts' Peyton Manning.
Eli Manning was labeled the next John Elway, and his acquisition led to the release of Kerry Collins a week later.
As about 30 still and television camera crews filmed his every throw and about 30 reporters -- a horde worthy of a playoff practice -- watched his every move Friday, Manning looked very much like a rookie.
He made some nice passes, but free agent rookie quarterback Jared Lorenzen threw the ball with more zip.
The fumbles on the snaps were sloppy. Manning worked with two different centers in the drills.
``He had excellent huddle command,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said a little sarcastically.
But Coughlin, who spoke with Manning after the fumbles, also liked what he saw from the Mississippi quarterback.
``He's fine, he's going to be fine,'' Coughlin said. ``It will take a little time. There are a lot of things to adjust to. Obviously all the new things thrown at him, the different receivers, the different people working with him, the high grass. It will come. It will be fine.''
Center Shaun O'Hara said it's too early to make any judgments.
``It's like trying to figure out how tall a kid is going to be after he is nine months old,'' O'Hara said. ``You can't put too much into it. Let him weather the storm. He got in yesterday. He doesn't know where he is now.''
Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan said Manning is like a deer in the headlights now.
``I'm just expecting him to come in and do his best,'' Strahan said. ``I don't think there is any pressure on him to come and take over this team and be the man. I think he has to understand we are all willing to wait and to be patient with him.''
Manning handled the situation like a veteran. He made no excuses. He said he planned to work hard, and showed a sense of humor when asked about all the attention.
``There is more press here than the whole state of Mississippi combined,'' Manning said.
Even with Collins gone, Manning refused to claim the starting job. He said his first goal is to earn the respect of his new teammates.
``I am going to prepare myself for the first game,'' Manning said. ``If they put me in, I am going to be ready.''
rivers struggles in first mini-camp
rivers struggles in first mini-camp
i figure if manning is going to be over-analyzed, so should rivers.
Posted: Friday May 7, 2004 7:26PM; Updated: Friday May 7, 2004 7:26PM
Philip Rivers must still contend with Drew Brees looming over his shoulder.
AP
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Philip Rivers fit right in during his first practice with the San Diego Chargers.
"He struggled," coach Marty Schottenheimer said after the NFL's worst team opened its minicamp Friday. "There's just eight million things going on out there."
OK, so it was just one practice, and a limited one at that. Each of the four quarterbacks got 12 snaps in team drills, and about half of those were running plays. Rivers had one pass deflected, then was picked off by linebacker Donnie Edwards on the next play.
Incumbent starter Drew Brees also had a ball tipped and then threw a pickoff. Later, he vowed to keep his job.
Unlike Eli Manning, Rivers wanted to be here. Rivers was caught up in the draft-day drama two weeks ago when the Chargers chose Manning with the No. 1 pick, despite his wishes to the contrary.
After the New York Giants took Rivers with the fourth pick, the teams swapped quarterbacks, with the Chargers also getting a third-round pick and the Giants' first- and fifth-round picks next year.
Rivers said he was anxious before his first practice with the Chargers, who finished 4-12 last year and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
"As far as being comfortable with the football and calling plays and all that, it was kind of taking care of itself," said the 6-foot-5 Rivers, who has a unique sidearm delivery. "I felt good about all that. It's just you're throwing to guys you've never thrown to before, you're getting the snap from somebody you've never gotten a snap from before.
"So all that takes the first day like this, which was good for me to get back into the swing of things as the new guy again."
How much he plays as a rookie will be determined over the next several months.
"I'm going to come in and compete like I'm going to have to take the snap the first game," he said. "Whatever's asked of me at that point, I'll be ready."
Schottenheimer doesn't anticipate Rivers having a hard time making the transition from North Carolina State to the NFL.
"This will not be too big for Philip Rivers," Schottenheimer said. "I'm talking about it from the emotional and intellectual standpoint."
Schottenheimer became enamored with Rivers while coaching him at the Senior Bowl. Rivers was MVP of all five bowl games he played in during college, including the Senior Bowl.
Rivers set an NCAA record with 51 career starts and is the second-leading passer in NCAA history with 13,484 yards.
Brees said he welcomed the competition. Ordained the team's QB of the future three years ago, Brees won six of his first seven starts, but is 4-16 in his last 20. Brees struggled so much last year that he was benched for five games and pulled from two others.
"By them going out and getting a quarterback, I don't feel like I've been pushed away," Brees said. "I still feel like this is my team and that I'm the starting quarterback of this team and it's my job to take us to the promised land."
Brees has had a friendly competition the last two seasons with 41-year-old Doug Flutie. Brees thinks this competition will be civil, too.
"He seems like a good guy," Brees said of Rivers. "I'm sure he wants to come in here and start, just like I want to start, just like Doug wants to start.
"It's not going to be one of those things where we're stabbing each other in the back. I'm sure we're all going to end up helping one another, we're all going to push one another, but in the end we're all competing against one another for that starting job."
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Rivers looked comfortable.
"It's kind of like, this is no big deal to him. It was obviously a sign of a guy who has played a lot of football."
But Tomlinson also said Brees will accept the challenge.
"I don't think he's going to back down at all," Tomlinson said.
Regardless of who starts, the Chargers don't have a big-play wide receiver or a reliable offensive line -- they're especially lacking a left tackle.
After an offseason shakeup, 71 of the 95 players on the roster have three or fewer years of experience.
"I don't even know who's on the team anymore," Edwards said. "I just think we need name tags. Walk around with name tags and say, 'Who are you? Oh, you're the starter. OK.' "
rivers struggles in first mini-camp
i figure if manning is going to be over-analyzed, so should rivers.
Posted: Friday May 7, 2004 7:26PM; Updated: Friday May 7, 2004 7:26PM
Philip Rivers must still contend with Drew Brees looming over his shoulder.
AP
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Philip Rivers fit right in during his first practice with the San Diego Chargers.
"He struggled," coach Marty Schottenheimer said after the NFL's worst team opened its minicamp Friday. "There's just eight million things going on out there."
OK, so it was just one practice, and a limited one at that. Each of the four quarterbacks got 12 snaps in team drills, and about half of those were running plays. Rivers had one pass deflected, then was picked off by linebacker Donnie Edwards on the next play.
Incumbent starter Drew Brees also had a ball tipped and then threw a pickoff. Later, he vowed to keep his job.
Unlike Eli Manning, Rivers wanted to be here. Rivers was caught up in the draft-day drama two weeks ago when the Chargers chose Manning with the No. 1 pick, despite his wishes to the contrary.
After the New York Giants took Rivers with the fourth pick, the teams swapped quarterbacks, with the Chargers also getting a third-round pick and the Giants' first- and fifth-round picks next year.
Rivers said he was anxious before his first practice with the Chargers, who finished 4-12 last year and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
"As far as being comfortable with the football and calling plays and all that, it was kind of taking care of itself," said the 6-foot-5 Rivers, who has a unique sidearm delivery. "I felt good about all that. It's just you're throwing to guys you've never thrown to before, you're getting the snap from somebody you've never gotten a snap from before.
"So all that takes the first day like this, which was good for me to get back into the swing of things as the new guy again."
How much he plays as a rookie will be determined over the next several months.
"I'm going to come in and compete like I'm going to have to take the snap the first game," he said. "Whatever's asked of me at that point, I'll be ready."
Schottenheimer doesn't anticipate Rivers having a hard time making the transition from North Carolina State to the NFL.
"This will not be too big for Philip Rivers," Schottenheimer said. "I'm talking about it from the emotional and intellectual standpoint."
Schottenheimer became enamored with Rivers while coaching him at the Senior Bowl. Rivers was MVP of all five bowl games he played in during college, including the Senior Bowl.
Rivers set an NCAA record with 51 career starts and is the second-leading passer in NCAA history with 13,484 yards.
Brees said he welcomed the competition. Ordained the team's QB of the future three years ago, Brees won six of his first seven starts, but is 4-16 in his last 20. Brees struggled so much last year that he was benched for five games and pulled from two others.
"By them going out and getting a quarterback, I don't feel like I've been pushed away," Brees said. "I still feel like this is my team and that I'm the starting quarterback of this team and it's my job to take us to the promised land."
Brees has had a friendly competition the last two seasons with 41-year-old Doug Flutie. Brees thinks this competition will be civil, too.
"He seems like a good guy," Brees said of Rivers. "I'm sure he wants to come in here and start, just like I want to start, just like Doug wants to start.
"It's not going to be one of those things where we're stabbing each other in the back. I'm sure we're all going to end up helping one another, we're all going to push one another, but in the end we're all competing against one another for that starting job."
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Rivers looked comfortable.
"It's kind of like, this is no big deal to him. It was obviously a sign of a guy who has played a lot of football."
But Tomlinson also said Brees will accept the challenge.
"I don't think he's going to back down at all," Tomlinson said.
Regardless of who starts, the Chargers don't have a big-play wide receiver or a reliable offensive line -- they're especially lacking a left tackle.
After an offseason shakeup, 71 of the 95 players on the roster have three or fewer years of experience.
"I don't even know who's on the team anymore," Edwards said. "I just think we need name tags. Walk around with name tags and say, 'Who are you? Oh, you're the starter. OK.' "
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perfect AR, yup you sure should.....
and to answer other question in other thread, i have never made it to a Super Bowl Party as of yet, sure hope to this year......
I'm an "automatic" birth if you are there.
If G and B could both show up, then Matt and Jack and I are going out. Peroid.
If G and B could both show up, then Matt and Jack and I are going out. Peroid.
IX, life is short, maybe we can hook up even before with above..
would like that.
working on it...got the CDN (IRS) dept settled finally i hope-- with all that tax crap acquastions(sp) after so many years so looks like can cross the border now with no worries, been a concern for me....
really looking forward to meeting you guys in the future!!
all the best
IE
would like that.
working on it...got the CDN (IRS) dept settled finally i hope-- with all that tax crap acquastions(sp) after so many years so looks like can cross the border now with no worries
, been a concern for me....really looking forward to meeting you guys in the future!!
all the best
IE
