Giants news: John Mara still believes in 'punching bag' Eli Manning

New York Giants owner John Mara says quarterback Eli Manning is the "punching bag" right now, but he still believes in the veteran.

The New York Giants have quickly slumped down to one of the worst records in the league through the first six weeks of the season having just won once over that span.

This has quickly shifted much of the criticism over to the play of quarterback Eli Manning as being one of the primary reasons for their shortcomings on the field. Giants co-owner John Mara acknowledged this being the case on Tuesday morning stating that Manning has become a “punching bag” for the blame for the team's issues on the field, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.

John Mara on Eli Manning: "We still believe in him, but everybody needs to do their jobs in order for us to be successful, and right now that’s not happening… I know he’s the punching bag right now, but a lot of guys need to play better when you’re 1-5."

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 16, 2018

The Giants had entered the 2018 season with much hope that Manning could leave his struggles behind him from last year, but his issues throwing the ball have only remained and are ringing much louder. It has been a combination of the porous offensive line play along with his inability to get the ball down the field.

There has been no consistency with the offense that has largely been stagnant through the first six games ranking 27th with 19.5 points per game along with being 18th in passing this year that has been a driving point to their shortcomings offensively.

New York has some premier talent to lean on in wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, but have been ineffective in utilizing them the primary factors offensively that could help fuel them. They are both game-changing talents that have been overshadowed by Manning's troubles playing with any dependable production.

This chatter will remain pointed toward Manning the longer that the team struggles with him under center. Ultimately, the further this drags the more than the 37-year-old will draw the brunt of the blame for the Giants pushing towards yet another disappointing campaign missing the playoffs. It is on his shoulders to turn things around and prove that he still has plenty left in the tank to be an effective option under center that can lead the franchise to success.