Top 10 All Time Giants
#4 Eli Manning
One of the more debatable and controversial careers of the past 15 years began much the same way. In 2004, the San Diego Chargers held the first pick in the draft, and did what was in their right, and chose Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning. Eli strode onto the stage, managed a half smile, and held up a Chargers jersey with his name and a big number 1 on it. But Eli and his dad Archie had no intention of playing in San Diego. So when the Giants were on the clock with the 4th overall picked, they chose NC State quarterback Philip Rivers and subsequently traded him to San Diego, where he has since enjoyed the year round 70-degree weather and zero championships.
Manning on the other hand, has quietly racked up more yards and touchdowns than either Rivers or the other highly touted quarterback in that draft, Ben Roethlisberger, won two Super Bowls with two entirely different teams, and has started over 190 games, every one since November 21, 2004. His longevity alone is a remarkable feat and I think stands as his most impressive, but over the years, his play, particularly under pressure and his ability to make plays against nearly all odds has truly set him apart from the quarterbacks in that ’04 class and every quarterback in Giants history.
His performances in the playoffs and Super Bowls aside, his regular seasons have been full of up and down play, heart breaking losses, and unbelievable finishes. Where his brother was a calculated mastermind behind center, Eli appeared to do everything on a whim. His calculations and playing style mirrored a more stubborn, less graceful Brett Favre. I am in no way comparing their play, seeing as that Eli thoroughly outplayed him in Lambeau in their most important match up, rather offering an insight in to the type of player Eli is and how he manages to throw games away only to pull his team right back into them.
Just this past year, the Carolina Panthers came into East Rutherford undefeated and looking to extend their winning streak. The Giants were 6-7 and essentially on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Almost as expected, the Giants fought and kept the game competitive, only to have Cam Newton MVP his way to a commanding 35-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. The offense seemed incapable of doing much of anything, but in the final quarter, Eli led his team to 21 unanswered points, tying the game and even throwing a customary, wobbly interception in the end zone. The pick only made the comeback attempt more exciting, as is usual with Eli-led offensive comebacks, but his team wound up falling short. It didn’t much matter but the switch that Eli is seemingly able to turn on at will is something that his career has been known for. Skeptics of the better Manning will say his only good football is in the playoffs, which would be the best case, and that if a team had to rely on him to make the playoffs, it would regularly miss them. And as of recently, the product on the field has been wholly inadequate in supporting a two time Super Bowl MVP.
For a guy whose best football is only played during the playoffs, it has been some historically relevant and awe inspiring play. Even when he retires in the top 10 of every significant career passing category, people will only see him as the guy with funny faces on social media and the younger brother of that guy who had HGH shipped in his wife’s name. But the funny faces and irrelevant family connections aside, Eli has gone up against and defeated a list of noticeable, contemporary greats: Rodgers, Brady (twice), Favre, Romo, Ryan. Throw in Alex Smith, a highly touted first round pick himself, and you have a winning resume that stacks up against any Hall of Fame quarterback in history. The regular season doesn’t matter, winning when you need to does. And Eli has shown that throughout his career, completing two of the most memorable, clutch throws of all time to receivers whose names are only recognizable because Eli got them the ball.
The past two seasons have been the most prolific of his career; he has attempted more passes and had two of his highest touchdown totals. With another revamped roster and an arm as strong as ever, it is on Eli to show his ability for a full season, lead his team to wins, and maybe vault past the three iconic names left on the list.
Next: #3-Bridging the Gap