EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin says he's ready for Eli Manning to "take the next step " this season -- which is pretty much what you'd expect a head coach to say when his star quarterback is struggling to get things right.
But Coughlin wasn't specific, and that's the way it should be because the Giants not only need Manning to pick up his game, they need him to assume a new role, too.
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| Eli Manning must carry more of the load with Tiki gone. (AP) |
When Barber last year complained the Giants gave up on the run too soon in a Monday night loss to Jacksonville, he signaled to the coaching staff that the players were restless with its play-calling. Coughlin didn't appreciate the remark, but he fired his offensive coordinator six weeks later.
Tiki was heard.
But Barber is gone, and now someone -- anyone -- must take his place, and Manning is the logical choice because of the position he plays and because of his value to the Giants. Let's face it: Without Barber, this is Eli Manning's team, and it's high time he recognizes it.
From what I heard at last week's minicamp, he does -- which means the Giants are halfway home. But the key is what happens if and when the club starts swooning as it did the second half of last season, and what Manning -- or anyone else -- does to address it.
Barber acted by calling for the ball and saved the Giants' season. With a franchise-record 234 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the regular-season defeat of Washington, Barber put the team into the playoffs.
Now the question: Given a similar set of circumstances, what would Eli do?
"Everyone has a role," the quarterback answered, "and everyone has something they're responsible for and what they need to do. We're going to have to take up some of the slack (for Barber) ... but everybody is a leader in their own way."
Maybe, but nobody is a leader in the way the quarterback is. He plays the most important position. He huddles the offense. He calls the plays. He handles all the offensive snaps. And he's more responsible for determining the outcome of the game than anyone on the field.
So he should also be responsible for leading the charge, and, often, he is. In Indianapolis, it's Peyton Manning. In New England, it's Tom Brady. In New Orleans, it's Drew Brees.
Eli is right about everyone doing his part. In Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher sets the tone. In San Diego, it's running back LaDainian Tomlinson. But I sure hope that doesn't mean Eli is looking to share the floor with a committee of teammates. Now, more than ever, the Giants need Manning to become the quarterback and leader the club envisioned when it traded for him in 2004.
