Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins says Birds must get pressure on Manning early and often. Photo by Andy Lewis / contrastphotography.com

So far this season Giants longtime quarterback Eli Manning has the look of a guy who does not want to get hit anymore. He has been sacked eight times in two games, but has been hit several more times than get charted.

He has also fallen down several time or reacted to pressure that’s not there. Defensive players say Manning is so rattled he is “seeing ghosts.”

That is not a good thing for your offense. You want your quarterback to be strong in the pocket and make good decisions.

When your team has scored just 13 points in two NFL regular season plays, there are not many bright spots to look at, especially when your signal caller is 35 years old and has started to decline.

Giants head coach Ben McAdoo held nothing back when asked about mistakes made by Manning against Detroit last week including a delay of game penalty.

“Sloppy quarterback play,” McAdoo said. “Quarterback and the center need to be on the same page there. We’ve got to get the ball snapped.”

McAdoo said he didn’t call a timeout before the flag because it was Manning under center.

“We have a veteran quarterback who has played a lot of football,” he said. “I expect us to get the ball snapped. Usually the clock goes from three, two, one, zero. Once it hits zero, they look at the ball, then look at the clock. Usually we have a tick once it hits zero to get the ball snapped without being a delay of game. I thought we had a chance to get it off.”

Manning did not go as far as to throw his offensive line under the bus after the 27-10 loss to the Lions, but he did hint he needs more time when facing a good defensive line.

“You know, they’re a good front four,” Manning said. “Some of the best players on their defense are on their front four, so we knew we were going to have to get the ball out quickly at times. They were playing some coverage where I thought I was going to have some chances to get the ball downfield and I knew I was going to have to buy some time, move around a little bit on those plays and just didn’t have the opportunity on some.”

It will not get any easier for Manning this Sunday in Philadelphia. The Eagles defense has played well overall and can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

Eagles Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins said has seen both Giants games this year and says Manning isn’t just spooked.

“He’s been under a lot of pressure,” Jenkins said at his locker this week. “You’re going to see ghosts after done got hit by one. It’s one of those things. Any quarterback changes after he’s been hit. People have been able to get pressure on him a little bit. But when he has a clean pocket he’s still a smart quarterback at the line of scrimmage. He knows how to run into advantageous box counts. He’ll change a play, get into a pass, deliver the ball on time. We definitely have to get some pressure on him.”

One defensive back Manning will be sure make sure he sees clearly is Jalen Mills.

Jenkins taked about the second-year corner out of LSU.

“He’s been impressive since he’s been a rookie because his mind’s always been in the right place,” Jenkins said. “Playing corner is one of those positions, alot of it it about confidence especially your rookie year. You’re used to being the alpha male out there then all of a sudden you’re getting beat by NFL talent, you’ve got to continue to know who you are, believe in your talent. And that’s one thing he’s never had trouble with.”

Jenkins said Mills is in denial about where he was taken in the draft.

“Even when he showed up, he was drafted in the seventh round, he showed up, in his mind he was a first round talent,” Jenkins said. “He’s always wanted the best receiver that’s out there. He wants to be the best and when he’s not regarded as such he takes it personally and it reflecks in the way he goes about his work.

“That’s the mentality of a veteran, most people take a while to develop that, and he came in the door with it.”

Odell Beckham Jr. was a former teamate of Mills. Jenkins was asked if Mills wanted to make an impression on the Giants superstar receiver.

“Oh yeah.”

Follow Al Thompson on Twitter @thompsoniii