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Eisen's Mailbag: Shorter passes?

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I hear John Schmeelk and others questioning whether this short passing attack will fit Eli's skill set. But almost everyone agrees that the best thing he does is the two-minute drill, which is mostly short and intermediate passes. How do you think the system fits his skill set?** -Kevin

Dear Kevin: I'm not sure why you needed to mention the two-minute drill, which I think is a separate entity. Yes, shorter passes are usually thrown at that time, but sometimes the situation demands a long pass. I'm not exactly an expert on the Giants' new offensive system after a few spring practices. In a very broad sense, it seems fewer downfield passes will be thrown and the greater focus will be on the shorter and intermediate throws, as you mentioned. I think Manning will thrive in such a system, which I believe will help his completion percentage rise and his interception number fall. If that happens, the Giants will have a more efficient offense.

Is there any chemistry problem between the defensive backs?-Jimmy

And would you consider the Giants defensive backfield the top in the I've never heard the defensive backs discuss chemistry or any of the other natural sciences. Seriously, the secondary is a close-knit group. Antrel Rolle is a natural leader who is enjoying a double homecoming – the return of Stevie Brown after a year's absence and the arrival of Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, his former teammate in Arizona. The newcomers – DRC, Quintin Demps and Walter Thurmond – have all fit it quickly and easily. As for whether it's the NFL's best group – who can say in June? Let's play a few games before we starting rating how good the secondary is.

Do you think the Giants did enough in free agency and the draft to restore the offensive line?
-Rafael

Dear Rafael:
I do, with an asterisk. Two of their additions, Geoff Schwartz and D.J. Walton, are currently starting at left guard and center, respectively. Charles Brown was the first-team left tackle throughout the spring because of Will Beatty's absence. John Jerry had no chance to show off his skills after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. But the coaches are eager to look at him. And second-round draft choice Weston Richburg is a future starter, perhaps as soon as this season. The asterisk is due to Chris Snee (elbow) and Beatty (broken leg). Each player said he expects to be on the field in training camp. There's no reason to think they won't be and if so, the Giants will have a better and deeper line. But if their issues linger, the Giants will have to tap into that depth. And then we would learn if the Giants really did enough in the offseason to upgrade the line.

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