MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- Several of the Giants' offensive linemen have defended and supported each other publicly this spring.

Now, the man they are paid to protect has chimed in with his vote of confidence.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was asked Monday if his offensive line, as currently constituted, is good enough. Manning said he feels the five-man group is up to the task, throwing his support behind left tackle Ereck Flowers, left guard Justin Pugh, center Weston Richburg, right guard John Jerry and right tackle Marshall Newhouse.

"I think we have a good crew," Manning said at the 39th Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic. "They work hard, and it's important to them. We can win with them, for sure."

Richburg and Pugh turned in Pro Bowl-level seasons a year ago, so there is not much heat on them. But Flowers had a rocky rookie season, and Newhouse and Jerry have become popular targets of criticism amongst fans.

Richburg and Pugh have gone to bat for the right side of the line, offering vigorous defenses of both players and Flowers during the offseason program. And Newhouse and Jerry have taken the outside negativity in stride, while expressing appreciation for their linemates' support.

Manning said when it comes to an offensive line, cohesion is the most important thing.

"I've always thought of the offensive line, it's not always five individual players," he said. "You have to look at them as a group, and how well they communicate, how well they get along, and understand the schemes, and handle whatever is thrown at them. The longer you have the same five together, you can grow and get better together."

Offensive continuity is one of the reasons the Giants are optimistic they can end their four-year playoff drought this fall. In addition to Manning and the five projected offensive linemen, the team also expects to have wideout Odell Beckham Jr., running back Rashad Jennings, and tight ends Larry Donnell and Will Tye, both of whom started last year, back in the fold.

Throw in the potential for a Victor Cruz return and rookie wideout Sterling Shepard, and the Giants should more or less look the same as they did a year ago. And, they'll take that.

Despite their 6-10 finish, the Giants had the NFL's No. 8-ranked offense a year ago in yards-per-game, and were sixth in points-per-game. And, despite all the criticism, the offensive line was fifth-best in sacks allowed per pass attempt, although some of that was on Manning's propensity to get rid of the ball quickly.

It was not good enough, per se, when examining the big picture. But Manning feels the offense's success last year gives the Giants a good foundation to build upon in 2016, their third year in now-head coach Ben McAdoo's scheme.

"I think we did some good thing last year. We were able to move the ball and score points," Manning said. "I think it's good when you have a lot of the same guys back. That means guys understand what we're trying to do, what we need to do, what we need to do better, and you can grow with those guys."

TALK IS CHEAP, Ep. 55: Giants OTAs, Snapchat and hair gel

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James Kratch can be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find and like NJ.com Giants on Facebook.