Elisha, my captain

It sounds like everyone who criticized Elisha Manning two weeks ago are starting to come around, but they're using annoying words to do it. The same way it's insulting to say a black politician is impressive because "he speaks so well" (Thanks Chris Rock), it's a back-handed compliment to say a quarterback is good at "managing the game".

Did he manage the game with a 22-of-32 for 250 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception against the Patriots? He went 20-of-27 for just 185 yards and 2 touchdowns against a defense that was No. 1 against the pass before the game, then suddenly became overrated, old and slow afterwards.

I've heard they've asked him to do less and run the ball more. Against Tampa, they threw 27 times, and ran it 30. That's not taking into account late drives in the fourth quarter when they're playing with a lead. Last Sunday against Dallas, he was 8-of-13 for 130+ yards and 2 touchdowns at HALFTIME.

He would only throw five more passes, completing four of them before they handed the ball off for the last two drives, going three-and-out on each. They totaled 23 carries for the game. You do the math, but what you should come up with is that the Giants are 50-50 run-pass and Elisha is playing his best right now. If that's not enough for you, think about the 7 play-70 yard TD drive in 35 SECONDS to tie the game at 14-14 at the end of the second quarter.

I've used stats to prove a point, but the only thing that matters is the 53 guys wearing blue believe in Elisha and we should too. Yes, he's had horrible games and made poor decisions. Yes, he might do the same thing on Sunday night with everything on the line, but if I told you before the first Packers game that they would get this far, however you would have to watch a young man grow up before your eyes and deal with all the pain of expectations unfulfilled, only to watch him shine at the end - would you have taken it?

I'm a Giants' fan, true and true. I cheered for Phil Simms just as hard as I cheered for Danny Kannel. We've never been a pass-first team, never had a annual Pro-Bowl quarterback or an explosive air attack - Why would any of that change now?

Then again, why would I expect the quick-decision, judgemental attitude of the Tri-State area fan to change now? It will take a Super Bowl victory to do that...and even then, I can already hear how it was really the defense and the running game, how he's no better than Trent Dilfer (Ravens) or Brad Johnson (Bucs)...

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