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Eli Manning literally tunes out critics

New York Giants v Washington Redskins

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 11: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field during the season opener against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 11, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Anyone that lived through NFL Network’s tandem of Joe Theismann and Matt Millen are familiar with the strategy of watching football with the volume turned down.

It’s a strategy Eli Manning uses no matter what broadcast team is covering the game.

“It’s gotten to the point now where, when I watch football . . . I just mute the television,” Manning said Monday via Bob Glauber of Newsday. “It’s just more enjoyable for me, just because I like to watch and make my own opinions. It makes me more mad when the guy’s saying something and he’s totally wrong.”

The strategy comes in handy during tough times for the Giants. After a torrent of injuries this preseason and an opening week loss to Washington, the negativity in New York has picked up.

“You can’t sit there and watch every television show and read every paper. That’s not going to help the cause,” Manning said.

Eli does agree with one media observation. The Giants need to figure out what they do well. The team’s re-formed offensive line showed promise at times, but the running game never got off the ground. Manning didn’t seem to know where to throw on third downs.

“You have to figure out exactly what’s going to be our style and how we’re going to be successful,” he said.

Manning will try to figure it out on Monday night against the Rams in a matchup of teams trying to avoid 0-2 starts.