There is nothing unusual about Eli Manning holding a media session or speaking on a conference call the first day the Giants open their offseason program. That the 38-year old quarterback will do so, again, on Monday is par for the course, given the position he plays and the team spokesman role he fills.
This time around, though, is different. Manning is back for a 16th season, once again locked in as starter, after enduring an uneasy limbo-like period when his return was far from guaranteed. The Giants qualified for the playoffs only once in the past seven years and Manning was at the helm of the offense in every game but one in that span.