Phil Simms Misquoted by ESPN…as usual
By Joe Tufaro
I awoke this morning to a discussion about how Phil Simms had declared both Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning Hall of Famers. I knew that ESPN would make a day long conversation of the quote, and I also knew that they would get it wrong. The discussion of course was centered around Eli, and how at this point in his career was he or wasn’t he a Hall Of Fame Qb. Unless I missed a big story yesterday, I think Eli is still playing and hasn’t announced any plans as yet to retire. I would say if he up and walked out of camp this afternoon, then the discussion would be a short one, and he wouldn’t get in, but here is the actual quote from Phil Simms:
"“Now they both absolutely one day will go in the Hall of Fame.”"
ONE DAY…Not today ESPN, not tomorrow, but ONE DAY. That means that Phil is counting on Eli and Tom continuing their very successful relationship. He also knows Jerry Reese and the Giants are committed to winning and building the best, most competitive team possible each and every year. When it’s all said and done in another 7-8 years for Eli, yes he will be a Hall of Fame QB, and Tom Coughlin will be there too.
I think the better argument is whether Phil Simms is a Hall of Fame QB….If he had stayed healthy and won the Super Bowl with the team in 1990, I think it would be an easier argument, but as it stands he has just as many Super Bowls victories as Steve Young, and they both hold two Super Bowl records for QB’s.
Steve Young started 16 games for the Niners 3 times, Phil Simms did it four times.
Young started 124 games in total for the Niners and 143 for his career, Simms had 159, all for the Giants.
Simms won 95 games, Steve Young 94
Simms had 33,462 passing yards(With a run first Bill Parcells for a coach) Young had 33,124
Young had 232 TD’s and Simms 199
Simms took over a strugging rebuilding team and took it to it’s first Super Bowl, Young took over for Joe Montana after he was injured in the NFC Championship (against the Giants) after the Niners had won back to back Super Bowls.
Young had Jerry Rice, John Taylor, and Brent Jones
Simms had Lionel Manuel, Mark Ingram, Bobby Johnson, and Mark Bavaro
You make the call…..