ELITE OR DELUSIONAL?

Recently Eli Manning the first round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers and now New York Giant was asked if he considered himself an Elite’ quarterback, and he replied that he considered himself in that class.

It seems to be a question that needs to be asked, since he is in his fourth meaningful season with the Giants, owns a Super Bowl ring and has led his team the New York Giants into the playoffs this year.

Playing for a New York team draws attention when you are the quarterback the high-profile guy on the team.

But 4,933 yards, 29 touchdowns with only 16 interceptions, six game-winning drives, and five fourth-quarter comebacks are very good numbers to boast about and say: Yes, he IS elite. He belongs in the same class of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

Manning comes from a football family, a pro football, quarterback family, he was a leading pick in the NFL draft, and again, let’s not forget, does own a Super Bowl ring.

He has beaten the likes of the New England Patriots and almost beat the Packers, helplessly and frustratingly watching from the sidelines as Aaron Rodgers staged a last minute comeback for Green Bay to beat the Giants.

But is he elite? I think so, I call him “Elite Eli” because he has cut down on his turnovers, moves around the pocket very well, is very accurate, can lead and has thrown a lot of TDs., and most importsntly for a quarterback, knows when to get rid of the ball. He matched well against Aaron Rodgers, beat Tom Brady and can go toe-to-toe with Drew Brees.

Aside from his two wideouts Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, each with over 1,000 receiving yards apiece this season, he has no running game, yet there he is poised to play against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday !

Usually winning quarterbacks have sustained well-balanced team on offense that helps to complete a bigger package, Eli doesn’t own a running team this year. When the Co-tenants, NY Jets started this season, they had all the experts picking them to finish better than the Giants, who were riddled with injuries.

That takes me to another point, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have the confidence and support of their head coach, teammates and coaches, well so does Eli Manning.  After watching Eli play this season, I think his days of walking in the shadow of his brother Peyton are over.