BOCA RATON, Fla. -- One of the many reasons the New York Giants felt good about promoting Ben McAdoo from offensive coordinator to head coach was his relationship with quarterback Eli Manning. Having worked together the past two years, McAdoo and Manning have a strong relationship, and Manning has posted two of his best statistical seasons. McAdoo expects even more in 2016.
"Eli, I still think his best football is in front of him," McAdoo said at the NFC coaches breakfast Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings here. "I still think he's going to take another jump. He really bought into the system and likes the controls he has there. Having another year under his belt with the reads, that's going to clean things up for him. He knows what he likes now, and it's natural for him."
Manning averaged 4,421 passing yards, 32.5 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and completed 62.8 percent of his passes in two years with McAdoo as offensive coordinator. His career averages in those categories are 3,922 yards, 26 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a 59.3 completion percentage. Given the way he's taken to McAdoo's system, it's not crazy to imagine him continuing to improve and flourish even at age 35.
"He's no spring chicken, so he knows what he needs to do to get ready," McAdoo said. "The only thing I ask him not to do is mess with that throwing motion, because his throwing motion is pretty flawless. But anything else he can do to get better and stay health, we're all for it."
Manning changed several aspects of his offseason and in-season conditioning program last year to account for his advancing age. He throws less in warm-ups and trains his upper body differently than he did when he was younger. McAdoo said he expects Manning to continue to amend his workout program this year and in the coming years as necessary. Manning has started every game for the Giants since becoming their starter midway through his 2004 rookie season.
"He is a durable guy. He's a tough guy. He doesn't get a lot of credit for that," McAdoo said. "And that factors in there as well, because he plays through a lot. I think he finished last year stronger than he was at any point in '14, and that was encouraging. And I'm sure he's out there right now, working to get better."