Kevin Gilbride, Eli Manning
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Former New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has confidence in an Eli Manning resurgence in 2019.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has accomplished a lot in his long and storied career. Entering year No. 16, Manning is No. 7 all-time in career passing yards, No. 8 all-time in touchdown passes, and, of course, has two Super Bowl MVPs.

One of the guys he owes a lot of credit to is his former offensive coordinator. Kevin Gilbride held the position from 2007-13 and was on the staff for both of those Super Bowl titles.

With many people believing Manning has declined on the field in recent years and calling for the team to part ways with him, Gilbride believes Manning will undergo a resurgence.

“Now, people get upset [and say] ‘Well, he can’t do this’ and ‘He can’t do that.’ … He’s never — from the day he got there — solved problems with his feet,” Gilbride said, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

“It’s always been with his brain and his arm. I think it looks like, and you never know until the season starts, but from what I can tell, It looks like they’ve shored up the offensive line and it looks like if that has happened, I expect him to have a good year.”

The offensive line has seemed to improve since last year. They’ve replaced right guard Jamon Brown with Kevin Zeitler, right tackle Chad Wheeler with Mike Remmers, as well as center Spencer Pulley with Jon Halapio. Big Blue’s offensive line was tied for 22nd in the NFL last year with 47 sacks allowed, so the front five definitely needs to develop immensely.

Gilbride now has his first professional coaching job since retiring from the NFL in January of 2014. The XFL has announced him as their first head coach for the New York Guardians. Their inaugural season will begin in February of 2020.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.