In optimal situations, Giants quarterback Eli Manning sits among the NFL's beset quarterbacks, in some cases between the Colts' Andrew Luck and Patriots' Tom Brady.

In non-optimal situations, the comparisons aren't as favorable. In some cases, he ranks below the Jets' Geno Smith, Kyle Orton and Josh McCown. He ranks above nobody.

Manning was rated Pro Football Focus' worst quarterback under pressure in 2014.

The league's best quarterbacks under pressure were Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (+18.1), New Orleans' Drew Brees (+14.8), Miami's Ryan Tannehill (+12.7), New England's Tom Brady (+12.5), Indianapolis' Andrew Luck (+8.9), Seattle's Russell Wilson (+7.8), San Diego's Philip Rivers (+6.9) and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (+6.6). Pretty much, it's a list of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Manning wasn't even close. He had a very poor -12.1 grade last season when the pocket collapsed.

That's the bad news and, really, not all that surprising. Manning was middle of the pack against pressure in 2012 and sixth-worst in 2013.

The good news is that Manning faced pressure (28.6%) less than all but five of the 37 quarterbacks PFF analyzed this past season in their "QBs in Focus." That can be attributed to an offense where the ball was released quickly and an offensive line that improved as a pass-blocking unit last season. The Giants quarterback went from being under pressure 40.3 percent of the time in 2013 to 28.6 percent last season. That's quite a dip.

And when Manning doesn't have 300-pound men in his face, he's quite successful. He's the ninth-best quarterback (+12.8) when facing what PFF considers "no pressure." That puts him right behind Luck and immediately ahead of Brady.

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This really isn't anything new to the Giants. They know the situation. They've managed Manning's strengths and weaknesses for years.

"I think we need to upgrade our offensive line," owner John Mara said after the season. "I watched some of these teams in the playoffs; especially with a quarterback like Eli who if he has time to throw, he can be lethal. It's just something we need to improve on and I think we'll have the opportunity in the draft and possibly in free agency to do that."

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/01/john_mara_details_giants_biggest_need_this_offseas.html

The Giants went and addressed their offensive line with a first-round pick, No. 9 overall. Ereck Flowers is expected to start at one of the tackle positions. Guard Geoff Schwartz is returning from an injury-filled season and second-year lineman Weston Richburg is being moved to his natural position at center.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese thought these moves would finally "settle the offensive line" and change the topic of conversation. Then left tackle Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle, and now the question remain.

Are the Giants good enough on the offensive line to keep Manning clean and limit the pressure? As this latest PFF analysis showed, they need it to be.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.