Loading ...Sorry to step away from the exciting backup quarterback and kickoff specialist news cycle, but something made me want to bring up another round of the never ending Eli Manning debate.
I was talking with a friend of mine about the Giants this past weekend, and we started on the topic of increasing Eli’s role in designing and implementing game plans. Basically, we both thought Eli Manning should call the shots on game day, especially as long as Kevin Gilbride is the other option.
Then, with a smirk that indicated he expected to get a reaction out of me, he said: “you know, my dad still hates Eli Manning. Can’t stomach watching the guy play.”
Really? Are we still having this conversation?
It surprised (angered?) me because I think after last season (and his 9 of 14/152 yd/2 TD Super Bowl XLII performance) we would be past this. Last year, with uncharacteristically poor offensive line play and a sometimes non-existent running game, he threw for 4,000 yards and 27 TD’s.
Sure, with no running game and a defense putting you in early holes on a weekly basis he had to.
But that’s exactly the point: he stepped up when he had to, took the reins and produced better than he ever has. Not many quarterbacks can do that at the NFL level.
Sure, he’s not as accurate as Peyton. He’s not charismatic like Brady, and he doesn’t exude confidence and passion like Brett Favre.
But don’t let that fool you into thinking that Eli is not the picture of a rock solid steady leader, on and off the field. But you don’t need to hear it from me, you’ve all seen him step into throws when he saw the hit coming. And you’ve all seen him, week after week, year after year, play his best damn football in the fourth quarter of games.
I won’t belabor you with stats, comparisons or any other pseudo-sophisticated analysis. What I will say is this:
Whatever it takes to be a “franchise” quarterback in the NFL, that “it” factor, Eli Manning has it. At any given time, there’s only 5 or 7 guys in the NFL playing to that level, and you know when you have Eli Manning that you’re always going to have one of those guys.
Even if he is perennially on the outer fringe of that top group…he’s in that group, and quarterbacks who play to that level year-in and year-out are indispensable. After all, 7 QB’s, 32 teams…you do the math.
You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, and you certainly don’t complain about Mark Texiera because he’s not Albert Pujols.
Eli Manning may never be Peyton or Brady or Brees, but as far as quarterbacks go the Giants could be doing a whole hell of a lot worse. You know, like maybe if their quarterback was wrapped up in multiple sexual assault cases
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Yeah I’ve heard so many call Eli a bum and talk about how he’s so overpaid. He’s clearly a top 10 QB in the NFL. I always wanted us to take Big Ben instead of that ridiculous trade for Eli but we clearly got the high character guy.
Who wrote this article? Seems Simon’s style…. Well, either way….GOOD JOB!
Simon. At the bottom of each article on the main page, there is a tag line with the author. Once the new design is complete, it will be easier to tell.
Oh yeah! LOL, didn’t see it in the fine print! Thought it was him anyway.
There is not many other QBs I would take over Eli in NYC. Do you think Rothlisburger could last a week in NYC…yeah maybe but he cant even stay out of trouble in East Jesus PA, let alone come to the middle of the world. Rivers…hes a ****, hes that guy that wants to get Brady’s calls, but since he’s not Tom Brady, doesn’t, and complains all day long.
I think i would take Palmer, and def Peyton, but IDK how either would fair in NY. this is real life, Sanchez has a big mouth, adn I know it will catch up to him.
Eli is the Derrick Jeter of the NY giants, I dont care who he impresses, he impressed the Sh!t out of me each time he thorw that Blue on. I am happy to have eli, he doesnt want the attentino, he just wants to win. Doesnt care abou tmaking money, he just does, and he doesnt want to be the center of attention, something that the QB of the giants almost should be looking for. Eli is a consumate professional, and is a perfect Role model for the next generation of football heads!
Sorry for the grammatical errors, I can not speak/type today.
I’d take Brees, Eli’s big bro and Brady but thats it.
And not to correct you but Ben got in trouble in rural GA. So no, he’d be a disaster in NY. I can finally stop regretting that trade. Now I’m honestly glad we have Eli. Rivers is a jerk. Big Ben can’t keep Lil Ben in his pants. Eli is grounded and improving every year. Still way too big of a price for the trade but its justified with the SB42 ring. Glad we have him.
yeah id take brees and brady too, i thought that they were ovbious, but I think that is why eli is the 5th best in the league… i know others will argue, but Peyton, Brady, Brees, (maybe plamer, maybe farve to some), but there are not any more that I would start over Eli. God could you imagine having Mcbad, Tony Ohno, or Jason Cantballl, we definitely have the class of the NFC East!
And no sh!t he got caught in GA, and in Tahoe, I meant that he cant eevn stay out of trouble in Pitsburgh, Blue collar america, can you imagine what hed do in the middle of the world??? Where there is a bar on every corner, and everything in the world i sat your fingertips??? Well my man eli can comb through this city, and not worry about getting in trouble, why? because he is one happy NEW YORK GIANT!
***Little Ben**hahahaha
I have to disagree with the assertion that Eli should call the shots. He would be less likely to call shotgun draws and would probably introduce himself to a young prospect named Kevin Boss. And we all know how detrimental this could all be.
Simon, I take it you wrote this in order to attract back a few of the posters who have gone missing who just might be tempted to return in order to cite statistics and other data that proves that Eli Manning is, in fact, a bum.
I cannot imagine why else you would spend your valuable time writing a solid piece that makes a case that many people just won’t accept. Eli Manning is to NFL quarterbacks what Harry Truman was to the Presidency. He doesn’t always look the part. He has a bit of an “Aw shucks” air about him. He doesn’t present himself in a way that satisfies the “experts” who know what a fellow filling that role should be. But then you look up and the results are outstanding. Eli isn’t his brother, just as Truman wasn’t Roosevelt (Franklin or Teddy). But he’s someone we should be very happy plays for the Giants.
Eli is the Man, no pun intended. Hes worth every penny they paid for him, and outside of the other Manning or Drew Brees, I honestly wouldn’t take any other QB. Eli, Smith, Nicks, Manningham and Boss will be a high octane for YEARS to come if we can straighten out this o-line. The future is bright!
errr, they will be a high octane offense*
Big Ben’s a doosh!! Being a bike rider, I thought his near-death crash rose a red flag that said this guy’s an idiot. Serves Pittsburgh right!
Can’t agree enough. So sick of people complaining about Eli.
The bottom line is, regardless of whether or not you think “X” number of guys are better than him, he is good enough to be better than anybody that is ever AVAILABLE.
You don’t let QBs who are capable of winning championships go. It may be another decade or more before you find another one. Other teams know this too, which is why you won’t see any free agents on the lists people produce of QBs they think are better than Eli.
It doesn’t matter who is better than Eli. All that matters is Eli is the best QB that the Giants CAN HAVE and he is good enough to win with, so we have to try to win as much as possible while we have him.
Well said.
“You don’t let QBs who are capable of winning championships go. It may be another decade or more before you find another one.”
exact philosophy to drafting woodson and bomar! If one pans out to be a starting quarterback, we can easily get a first for him. Same way that the patriots did with cassell and what the eagles could do with kolb.
Did you guys see that Big Ben is in the news again for raping another girl? I don’t believe he did but that’s still the second alleged victim in a year.
I also cannot see Ben playing past 33 years old with all the hits he tales every game. As compared to Eli, he’s not the most mobile quarterback but he knows how to get rid of the ball before taking a shot. I can definately see Eli throwing for us when he’s 37 years old and becomes the next Kurt Warner/Brett favre (excluding the retiring, unretiring debate).
Yea dude in GA. I didn’t believe it the first time. Now….well dude shouldn’t put himself in that situation. Fool me once sham on you. Fool me twice shame on me. SInce its March 9th I’ll quote Biggie, he’s a bad, bad man…