Pro Bowl Draft 2016: Ranking the New York Giants
By Mike Luca
1. Eli Manning (QB—Team Rice)
Manning ironically stole the Honolulu show from his premier wide-receiving puppet with his cutthroat business tactics, savvy interviews and overall charming pedigree.
After Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder injury indirectly rewarded Manning’s on-field manifestation of Ben McAdoo’s offense and promotion, he received No. 1 pick honors yet again. Even though Russell Wilson technically left the board before him for Team Irvin, one could presume Manning was Rice’s and OBJ’s top priority either way.
Per Dan Graziano’s Twitter early Wednesday afternoon: “No pressure, but if you don’t draft me, don’t expect to catch any balls next year.” Classic SNL-turned-Godfather Eli.
Manning undoubtedly delivers the sound bytes of the broadcast: the follow-up downplaying of his threats before threatening Beckham Jr. again; his back-handed compliment of a “quarterback’s dream” and his two hands whenever he decides to use them both; his politically insightful speculation of brother Peyton Manning’s future.
All of it was executed with humor and magnetism that is difficult to dislike or disrespect no matter the viewer’s allegiance.
Despite the dastardly amount of dropouts that took place in these passing weeks, it’s rare to look at a Pro Bowl depth chart and know for sure that’s the exact order an actual franchise would follow. With no ill marks on the rising statures of Derek Carr and Tyrod Taylor, Manning is the clearcut cream of this quarterback crop simply when combining resume with star quality.
Plopping him behind an all-star offensive line for a change allows Manning to receive higher MVP credibility than OBJ in this game, while he simultaneously enlists talent for the Big Blue boys back home.
Regardless, the New York Giants offensive duo and the generally emphasized sense of cohesion flowing throughout the roster gives Team Rice the edge in this exhibition. That is to say, unless Andy Reid milks 29 minutes of the first half with handoffs to Travis Kelce.