Camp setup: Giants surround Eli with tools to win

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In case there was any doubt about the New York Giants being all in when it comes to having Eli Manning as their quarterback, look no further than the moves made by the team in the offseason to repair an offense that last year finished 23rd in average yards per game. This should become evident when the Giants begin training camp here at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center where rookies report Sunday (July 22) and veterans Wednesday (July 25). New general manager Dave Gettleman made good on his promise to completely overhaul the offensive line. For the first time since 2015, the opening day starting lineup will have five completely different faces at each position, a look that will see Nate Solder at left tackle, rookie Will Hernandez at left guard, one of Brett Jones or Jon Halapio at center, Patrick Omameh at right guard and Ereck Flowers at right tackle. Gettleman also gifted his 37-year-old quarterback with a viable running game headed by rookie Saquon Barkley and veteran Jonathan Stewart, who will join Wayne Gallman, the lone holdover from last year, in the backfield. Barkley's presence alone not only could give the Giants their first 1,000-yard running back since Ahmad Bradshaw in 2012, his ability to pound the rock will help restore balance to an offense that over the last four years became too reliant on the passing game. If all that wasn't enough, head coach Pat Shurmur's offensive system should enable Manning to get back to the things he does well, such as the vertical passing game and play-action, two staples that were missing under the previous regime. Receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard and tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison will round out the primary cast of characters on whom Manning will seek in his quest to move the ball up and down the field and to hopefully once again light up the scoreboard. Although the hitting has yet to begin -- that will happen when the full team reports to training camp on July 25 (the rookies, quarterbacks and select veterans will be in a couple days early to begin their workouts) -- it was hard not to notice a significant difference in how Manning threw the ball in the spring. "(Eli) has really worked hard to learn this offense as fast as anybody and again, not just to learn (the offense), but to learn all the adjustments," said offensive coordinator Mike Shula last month at the conclusion of the team's mandatory minicamp. "His timing is good, he's been accurate, he knows how to find guys if No. 1 isn't open and those are all things that hopefully he will continue to improve on and he will probably be the first to tell you that he needs to continue to improve and get better for us to keep taking steps." Manning, who began preparing for the new system by downloading whatever film he could find on the internet of Shurmur's offense during the weeks leading up to the period in which coaches were allowed to talk football with their players, said he was pleased with how the new offense was taking shape. "I think it is going really well; I feel comfortable with it, I visualize it," he said during the minicamp. "The receivers are cutting fast and know what they are doing. The offensive line is doing a good job. Obviously, we have a couple of new pieces and people in there, especially on the offensive line group. I think they are adjusting and communicating well. We are doing some good things but we still have a lot of work to do." The hope is that the work will get done as quickly as possible, especially with a home opening date against the Jaguars fast approaching. Never one to make predictions or declare definitive goals regarding his or the team's stats, Manning said he was just looking forward to starting a fresh season and doing what he loves to do. "Every year could be a special year; it is just a matter of how guys can play on Sunday," he said. "There is always going to be ups and downs during the season. It really comes down to if guys can keep it about the team and keep it together. Stay committed for 16, 17 weeks and going into the playoffs. I think it is a good crew of guys. Now it just comes down to how hard can we work and how committed can we be in putting this all together and finding ways to win together."