Giants' Manning has no problem with coach's criticism

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:52 AM Throughout the years, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has developed a thick skin when it comes to criticism.

So, when coach Ben McAdoo tossed a few direct criticisms his way following the team's 24-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night, the Giants' iron man took it all in stride.

"It's part of being in the NFL," Manning said. "You can't be sensitive, and I think everyone's gotten very sensitive -- players and everybody. If someone says anything negative about you, or you did something wrong, then you've got a problem."

McAdoo raised a few eyebrows after the game Monday when he seemingly pointed a finger at Manning for taking an unnecessary delay penalty down by the goal line. The coach called Manning's play "sloppy."

Manning didn't disagree with the assessment.

"Well, he is talking about the interception and the delay of the game," he said. "Those are the two plays, those are on the quarterback and those always will be. So, that's just part of it."

Manning has always been the first person to stand up and point a finger at himself when things haven't gone right.

After the loss Monday night, he did so again, reiterating his usual "I have to play better" speech to nearly every question he received from the media about his and the offense's performance in the losing effort.

Because Manning is so self-critical of himself, that makes it easier for him to take outside criticism from others like his coach.

"Coach McAdoo and I have a great relationship," Manning said. "I told him when he first got here, I enjoy being coached. If I screw something up, let me know. I want to be coached, so we talked about things and there's some things I've got to do that I've got to be better at."

Criticisms aside, McAdoo's comments drew the ire of some not because they were accurate but because he singled out his best player on offense while handling left tackle Ereck Flowers' rough showing Monday night with kid gloves.

Manning agreed that McAdoo was probably more direct about his performance because he knew he could take it.

"If you've played 14 years in New York, you've been criticized," he said. "You can take pretty much whatever they throw at you. So, Coach McAdoo and I are on the same page and anything he says -- whether it's to the media, to me, to the team -- it's all for the better of the team and I'm OK with it."