EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- 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."