The Truth About Eli Manning
There is an argument that you hear a lot about Eli Manning. You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again because its such a convenient argument during a losing season. It is the idea that Manning is not a good quarterback, that he is overrated and just happened to be their for two Super Bowl runs.
He was lucky to be on good teams, claims the never ending line of fans who want to separate Manning from the New York Giants’ successes. Here is the thing, its a really bad argument.Eli Manning is and has been a good NFL quarterback that the Giants have been fortunate to have. The truth about Manning is that you cannot separate him from the glorious Giants playoff runs.
In a world where arbitrary rankings and perception matter above all else, Manning is not appreciated. Eli has a personality that plays well to his teammates but not at all well to the cameras. He is calm, quiet and introverted and unfairly has his leadership questioned. Eli is a Manning, a fact that is both a blessing and a curse.
He is always compared to his brother Peyton, who just happens to be one of the top 5 greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Eli is not Peyton Manning, he is not a top 5 quarterback in the NFL. He is however a very good quarterback who has had an outstanding career in his own right.
Manning shows up big in the clutch moments of the biggest games. He is great in the 2 minute drill; with the game on the line he is a true field general with confidence. In both Super Bowls against the New England Patriots, it came down to who got the football last. Manning has two of the most dramatic Super Bowl winning drives to his credit.
Many people try to say that it had nothing to do with Eli and everything to do with luck because of the David Tyree miracle. Lucky or not it was still an incredible throw, one that he had to run for his life just to get off.
The second defeat of the Patriots in the Super Bowl was Manning’s finest performance. He went 30-40 for 296 yards and a touchdown. Who can forget the majestic throw to Mario Manningham down the sideline, that sparked the game winning drive? It is amazing that anybody could try to discredit him as a quarterback because he may be the best one the historic Giants have ever had.
The Super Bowls were a display of his greatest ability, winning in clutch time. I urge everyone to go to Pro-Football-Reference.com (a great source for information on records and statistics of the NFL), the stats speak for themselves. Manning has orchestrated 26 fourth quarter comebacks and has 31 game winning drives.
The pundits can laugh at his awkward demeanor but to question this man’s leadership is incredulously insane.
Manning is a human and therefore he is not perfect. He has strengths and weaknesses just like any other quarterback.
The problems that Manning has had in the past two years can be attributed to his porous offensive line. Manning is not known for his quick release so a bad offensive line is a bad problem for him to have.
If you give Eli a clean pocket he can carve you like a surgeon. He is an accurate passer and has great anticipation, he can throw receivers open. The greatest strength he has is his ability to go through his progressions and make a good decision. When rushed relentlessly this is a strength you don’t see.
The bad pass protection rushes the decision making and forces some really boneheaded throws. Manning knows this which is why I think he takes some of the sacks he does. He would rather get sacked than end the drive with an interception.
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The truth about Manning is that the Giants are quite lucky to have him. The truth about Manning is that he played a huge role in the winning seasons the Giants have had during his career. The truth is that he is arguably a Hall of Famer.
In the defining moments of his career he has lifted the Giants to two Super Bowl championships, a truth that his critics wish they could bend. Manning may not put up the gaudy numbers of his brother and he may not always make it look pretty but he is a winner. The truth about Manning is that he may be the most underappreciated quarterback in NFL history.
In the same city that Geno Smith finished a game with just 26 passing yards, Eli is largely loathed. With proper perspective Giants fans can only thank Eli Manning for what he has meant to the team.