Eli Manning's steady disposition perfect for New York Giants
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8/14/2012 5:37:56 AM
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- It's too simplistic to say Eli Manning's success is directly attributable to his demeanor.
You don't go first in the NFL draft -- or compete for championships -- without a boatload of talent. Or a dogged work ethic. Or even a little luck.
But if you want to know how the New York Giants quarterback is able to put it all together, and how he's brought his team along for the ride, just ask about the effect that winning a second Super Bowl in five seasons has had on him over the last six months. Chances are, you'll hear everything you need to know about who he is.
"I don't think it's changed my life," Manning answered, in a quiet corner of a SUNY Albany dining hall during the team's lunch hour a couple of Fridays ago. "It hasn't changed my attitude or changed what my priorities are, what my goals are. We came into the spring knowing what we had to improve, we had to get better. And I thought the guys worked hard and understood cheap nfl jerseys sale
that 9-7's not good enough, and the way that we played at the end of the season is the way we have to play at all times."
It's understandable to think that those words came off a script put together by some PR wizard or press-savvy coach. And, to be sure, Manning certainly has been trained to say these kinds of things, the same way most prominent pro athletes have.
But if you look closely at the words, and you have an idea of who Manning is, you also realize this: That's truly Eli. Steady. Consistent. Focused. And, yup, kinda bland. Add those things up, and you get the quarterback who's perfect for New York, for the franchise he represents, the team he leads and the only NFL coach he's ever had.
"He's been a great example for everybody because he follows the old adage, which he probably doesn't even know: Never too high, never too low," coach Tom Coughlin said, coming off the practice field on that same Friday. "He's able to maintain a very, very balanced emotional position. He has a lot of fire, he has a lot of things inside that he keeps inside. He keeps that stuff to himself, he's very private about that. But he has been able to take the harsh criticism and deal with that, the praise and deal with that, and still remain steady and focused and wanting to improve."
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