New York Giants: The Eli Manning Era Is Far From Over

What really is going on between the New York Giants and quarterback Eli Manning? Before we get to that, picture yourself as a general manager for an NFL franchise that happens to be in dire need of a quarterback. You understand that the talent pool for quality quarterbacks is extremely low and that in order to acquire such talent you would have to shell out a massive contract due to the current market value for quarterbacks.

Now picture you sitting at your desk when your phone suddenly rings. You answer and a voice at the other end says “I’m willing to trade you a 34 year old quarterback who hasn’t missed a single start since he was drafted and who also happens to be a two-time Super Bowl MVP and a multiple time Pro Bowl selection. In return, we want a first round pick for him.” You are intrigued by the offer and ask who this quarterback is and the voice on the other end replies “Eli Manning.”

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Chances are that almost half of you would probably hang up the phone despite your glaring need for that all-important franchise quarterback that the NFL is built on. The question is why? Why not put your faith in a seemingly great option for your struggling team?

I’ll tell you why, it’s because you listen to other people who have been unfairly criticizing Manning for his entire career just because of his facial expressions or his sometimes erratic play on the field. Is Manning perfect? No, but let’s be honest, there are really only three or four quarterbacks you can count on to take your team to a championship and although Manning is rarely brought up in the conversation of top quarterbacks, he has already taken his team to two Super Bowl victories when a couple of the “elite” quarterbacks have only done it once.

Obviously it takes an entire team effort to win a championship, but Manning has been known for being the most reliable quarterback in clutch situations and can make any play on the field when he has to, something many quarterbacks can’t handle.

It is a shame that many media outlets have made Manning out to be a goofy, happy-go-lucky quarterback when his stats prove otherwise. The Manning criticism has been rekindled as of late when the New York Giants announced that they are “comfortable” with letting Manning play out the final year of his contract while the two sides work out a deal that is going to be similar to the one Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger just received.

That deal will be around the $90-$100 million dollar range if it does happen (in all likelihood, it will). People have once again doubted the talent level of Manning and whether or not he is worth such a deal. I’m here to tell you yes indeed he is because Manning is far from declining and should be able to play at a high level for another 4-5 seasons.

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Statistically, Manning is coming off arguably his best season, passing for 4,410 yards with 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions (5 of which came from one game versus the San Francisco 49ers). He also had a 63.1 completion percentage and has thrown over 600 passes for the first time in his career at age 34. That doesn’t sound like a quarterback in decline to me.

Yes, Manning had a rough 2013 season, but like I said before, this is a team game and many factors like injuries and a poor offensive line sprinkled with a lack of talent around him played greatly into his poor numbers. Remember, it is easy to force passes when you are running for your life almost every play.

Now, he’s surrounded by the best offensive weapons he’s ever had and an offensive line that will be improved with a healthy Geoff Schwartz and Weston Richburg playing his natural position at center. Manning will also be entering a second season of a new offense that is geared for him to put up big numbers due to the high volume of quick passes that open up deep strikes downfield.

All that, plus the return of his security blanket at wide receiver Victor Cruz, an even better Odell Beckham Jr. with a full offseason under his belt and a solid rushing attack with the addition of versatile play maker Shane Vereen, who can catch passes out of the backfield, is a recipe for a career year for Manning. It will surely earn him the big time deal he deserves.

Many people overlook the best quality of Manning’s game, his mentality. Manning’s will is simply unbreakable. No matter how much pressure is on him or how much criticism he takes, you can guarantee Manning will still come out to play any given Sunday as mentally and physically prepared as he can possibly be.

Nov 9, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during pre game warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Manning is a classic field general who leads by example. Manning has an unbeatable work ethic and spends as much time in the film room as he does on the field. That kind of attitude tends to rub off on other players which leads to a better, more prepared team on Sundays.

So as much as the armchair quarterbacks who barely watch Manning play want to tell you, Eli Manning is an elite quarterback who in my opinion, still has his best years ahead of him. The Giants should, and probably will extend him as he deserves every penny.

For those who disagree, I leave you with this, take a look around the NFL and look at most team’s quarterback situations. Match that up with the resume of Manning and you should have a pretty good idea of how valuable a player Manning is to the Giants. Still disagree? Well then, as the old saying goes, you never really appreciate what you have until it’s gone.

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