Quote from: kingm56 on Today at 06:31:52 AMDid you bother researching your own question? Clearly not...
Without Question, Eli's best season was 2011, the only year he received All-Pro votes, was a Pro Bowler, and won a SB. That year, PFF ranked the NYG Giants Oline #31 (#32 pass protection). His running game was dead-last...he and JPP carried that team to the playoffs.
Here's the exert from PFF:
Yes, they won the Super Bowl, but they did so in spite of a line that sieved pressure throughout the year. Our lowest-ranked pass protecting line had problems all over, but nowhere as bad as at the tackle positions (especially once Will Beatty was lost for the year). It wasn't just the tackles however, with every member of the Giants' line earning a negative grade. This explains the drop-off in the run game and makes the season that Eli Manning had all the more remarkable.
Best Player: Before his season was cut short, Will Beatty (-1.2) was having a good first year starting ... outside of Trent Cole showing him what for in Week 11.
Worst Player: It's hard to look past David Diehl (-48.1) who was terrible at guard, and even worse at tackle. His on field performance is simply unacceptable, giving up a ridiculous nine sacks, eight hits and 48 hurries during the regular season.
It's complete myth that Tom Brady enjoyed top-tier protection throughout his career. In 2014, 15 and 16, the online was bad. During that span, Brady continued to play at an AP/MVP level, winning more SBs.
Here's an exert:
2014:
23. New England Patriots
Pass Blocking Ranking: 31st, Run Blocking Ranking: 8th, Penalties Ranking: 19th
Stud: Our second-team All-Pro right tackle Sebastian Vollmer had himself another good year and avoided the injury bug for a change. Bonus.
Dud: The 306 snaps that Jordan Devey managed were brutal to watch at times. Not much of a pass blocker, he didn't exactly light it up in the run game either.
Breakdown: Nate Solder had a bad year by his standards and the interior gave up way too much pressure. They did bloody some rookies, but this group appeared a unit in transition, with the team trying to patch up something just good enough to not harm their skill players too much.
2015:
25. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Pass-blocking rank: 31st
Run-blocking rank: 12th
Penalties rank: 15th
Stud: Far from perfect, but Josh Kline looked the part when he got on the field.
Dud: Pick your poison here. None were truly atrocious, but most were well below average. None more so than Cameron Fleming, who allowed way too much pressure.
Summary: The good news is that, where they struggle (pass protection), they have a quarterback good enough to overcome it. But it was still so bad that you wonder how much easier (and better) life for Tom Brady could have been with better protection.
"I think we've established how atrocious the New England Patriots offensive line performed in 2015. Almost every single player to suit up on the line was hurt for some extended period of time, and the team had to rely on a series of young, inexperienced, and hurt players to protect the best player in the NFL."
According to Pro Football Focus, the Patriots offensive line ranked 31st in the league in pass protection, ahead of only the San Diego Chargers.
Key Takeaways:
1. Both the 2015 Pats and 2011 Giants won SBs with PFFs 31st and 32 ranked pass blocking olines
2. Prime Eli Manning was absolutely capable, and DID, overcome terrible oline play
3. Tom Brady was an MFP/AP/SP Winner regardless of his protection.
I could provide a lot more data points, but I know your mind is made up and no amount of objective or subjective data will change it. Regardless, your statement regarding Eli and Brady reliance on the oline has objectively been proven false.
Don't forget also that in 2011 Victor Cruz exploded onto the scene from nowhere. Defenses had no answer for Cruz, Nicks, and Manningham and had to pick thier poison. Meanwhile Jake Ballard developed a penchant for the amazing clutch catch.
So I'd say Manning, JPP, and Cruz carried the Giants to the playoffs.
