Loading ...A year ago, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning wasn't even considered to be one of the top 100 players in the NFL according to his peers. In 2012, Easy-E skyrocketed to #31 on the NFL's Top 100 List, but even that isn't enough says teammate Justin Tuck, who was ranked #62 on the list.
"That's a joke," Tuck said of Manning's No. 31 ranking. "No question. He is top five, hands down. Top five."
Tuck isn't the only teammate or former teammate who has expressed his displeasure in Eli's ranking. Former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs tweeted that Manning should have been ranked #1 on the list, while wide receiver Victor Cruz said he felt his quarterback should have definitely been ranked higher.
More than just the numbers, Tuck feels Eli should have garnered more respect from his peers for the things he did a year ago that didn't show up in the box score.
"You win the Super Bowl, you have the season he had, you are automatically top 10," he added. "But it's how he did it, as far as the fourth-quarter comebacks, leading a team that really didn't have a super, super star wide receiver at the beginning of the year. He made two guys in Hakeem (Nicks) and Victor (Cruz), he made those guys what they are now. I really feel as though he should have been a lot higher than he was."
Hakeem Nicks and Cruz were ranked 39th and 90th respectively, with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul coming in ahead of Manning at No. 24.
Like many of those in the media, short of actually seeing Manning on the field, most of the players' consideration came from what they were able to witness on ESPN and other sports highlight shows. As a result, the list is nothing more than a bona fide popularity contest similar to NFL Pro Bowl voting, which is done by the fans. So to think there are 30 players in the NFL that bring more value to their team than Eli does, including one of his own teammates, is preposterous. And quite frankly, Tuck hit the nail right on the head.
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Osi is to Dirt as ________ is to Benton.
The answer you’re looking for is Eli.
He’s an excellent choice for a man crush, no arguments here. Kewl!
I love the fact that the media continues to underestimate Eli and the team as a whole. If Eli dated supermodels, had a reality show and a crappy attitude he would undoubtedly crack the top 10 on this list. Instead all he does is win championships. Let’s not change anything, I like it just the way it is.
Well, as I’ve said, not only do I think Tuck is correct, but that as long as Eli wasn’t voted #1 the credibility of the vote is zippo. Not worth arguing about any longer, but I really do not see how anyone can legitimately consider someone other than Eli Manning the top player in the NFL based upon the 2011 body of work.
If you want to look back beyond that, or project forward to this season, that is a different story (although anyone who considers Eli outside the top 5 going forward has to be kidding). But immediately after the Super Bowl any poll that did not have Eli rising to the very top had to have one of two explanations: failure to really see his season, or stupidity.
I’m looking forward to the Dunkin Donuts commercials. I bet we see Easy E throwing through the hole of a swinging “tire sized” strawberry frosted donut with rainbow sprinkles. Sure to be a classic.