Dependable Eli just keeps rolling along

The Giants' defense had to prepare for two quarterbacks this week. Seattle, along with all three of the other quarterback situations in the NFC East, are nebulous. That's something the Giants' offense rarely has to worry about.

While the Seahawks Sunday will turn to Charlie Whitehurst to make his first NFL start against the Giants, Eli Manning keeps chugging along.

Ninety-six straight regular-season starts - including several that looked iffy in the days leading up to them - have established Manning as the cornerstone of the Giants as well as the division.

Consider this: There is no running back on the roster who has taken a meaningful handoff in an NFL game from anyone other than Manning, and there is no receiver on the roster who has caught a meaningful pass in an NFL game from anyone other than Manning.

For so many of these Giants, he is the only quarterback they're ever known.

"It's been nice to rely on just one guy," tight end Kevin Boss said (after knocking on the wood trim around his locker). "It definitely helps us out, being comfortable with one guy and not having to worry about getting out of rhythm with him. It's definitely helpful as an offense."

That's not the case elsewhere around the league. Matt Hasselbeck suffered a "slight" concussion last week against the Raiders and was unable to bounce back in time for today's game. In the division, Mike Shanahan has turned to using his backup quarterback like a relief pitcher, coming in to try to close games out (although Mariano Rivera might have better luck engineering a comeback win than Rex Grossman). Philadelphia's starter depends not on who is playing the best but who is healthy enough to play. And in Dallas, the Cowboys have turned to Jon Kitna to salvage the middle portion of their season. Remember, too, that the shine was dulling on Tony Romo long before the Giants broke his collarbone and sent him to the sideline for two months. "It's nice not to have to worry about that," Boss said. "It's just extra drama that luckily we don't have to worry about."

That's not to say that Manning doesn't get hurt. He just doesn't allow it to get in the way of playing. "It's a great, great asset that he possesses," Tom Coughlin said. "He plays through things, too. He'll play hurt."

The last time Manning came close to not starting was against the Raiders last year, coming off the game against the Chiefs in which he suffered a non-contact injury to his foot. He played through it, posting a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in five series before handing a 28-0 lead over to backup David Carr.

Even then, when he missed two practices during the week, there seemed to be little question that Manning would play.

"He got in there, took care of business and got out," Boss said. "I don't think there was ever any doubt that he wouldn't at least give it a shot."

Reynaud out. Darius Reynaud, who injured his hamstring on Friday, did not make the trip with the Giants and has been ruled out. He likely will be replaced on kickoff and punt returns by Will Blackmon, who was signed last week.