Eli Manning - Great Quarterback, Or Average Joe?

Eli Manning - Great Quarterback, Or Average Joe?

Topic Author: Sam Farnsworth

Posted: Feb 5, 2008

Replies Posted: 6 comments

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Eli Manning - Great Quarterback, Or Average Joe?

In the last couple of days since the New York Giants came from behind to beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII my sports office has been echoing with the loud and passionate discussions about whether or not Eli Manning should have been the games MVP and if he has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

11 News anchor Glen Mills, 11 Sports' Zach Kerker, and myself (Sam Farnsworth) have each taken a different point of view in this great debate. Glen says that as a result of the late run by the Giants that included the Super Bowl win, Eli has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

Zach and my points of view are similar, but we still differ in some ways. Zach believes that Eli has reached his peak and will continue to be an average NFL quarterback (top 10-15 at his position) for the remainder of his career. I agree with Zach, but I believe that Eli still has to do more than he has already accomplished this season if he wants to continue to be a starting quarterback in the league.

Manning finished the season with 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, and he ranked 25th in the league in passer rating (73.9). Those are not good enough to remain a starting quarterback in the NFL. By winning the Super Bowl Manning has bought himself at least one or two more years as a starter, but if he puts up the same numbers over the next two or three seasons he will be traded away from New York to be a solid backup for another team in the league.

As a result of our debates, we decided to make a list of quarterbacks that we would want to lead our team next season with the task of winning a Super Bowl and nothing less. So, who would you pick to lead your team to the Super Bowl next season? This is how we rank them.

GLEN MILLS: (1) Tom Brady, (2) Peyton Manning, (3) David Garrard, (4) Ben Roethlisberger, (5) Jeff Garcia, (6) Brett Favre, (7) Eli Manning, (8) Tony Romo, (9) Matt Hasselbeck, (10) Derek Anderson, (11) Carson Palmer, (12) Drew Brees, (13) Marc Bulger, (14) Matt Schaub, (15) Trent Edwards

ZACH KERKER: (1) Peyton Manning, (2) Tom Brady, (3) Tony Romo, (4) Brett Favre, (5) Drew Brees, (6) Ben Roethlisberger, (7) Matt Hasselbeck, (8) Carson Palmer, (9) Marc Bulger, (10) Donovan McNabb, (11) David Garrard, (12) Jeff Garcia, (13) Eli Manning, (14) Derek Anderson, (15) Matt Schaub

SAM FARNSWORTH: (1) Tom Brady, (2) Peyton Manning, (3) Ben Roethlisberger, (4) Drew Brees, (5) Tony Romo, (6) Brett Favre, (7) donovan McNabb, (8) Matt Hasselbeck, (9) Jeff Garcia, (10) David Garrard, (11) Carson Palmer, (12) Eli Manning, (13) Philip Rivers, (14) Jay Cutler, (15) Marc Bulger

We also picked our five most likely to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame (in no particular order). And our greatest quarterback of all-time.

GLEN MILLS: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, David Garrard. GREATEST EVER: John Elway

ZACH KERKER: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger. GREATEST EVER: Warren Moon

SAM FARNSWORTH: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Donovan McNabb. GREATEST EVER: John Elway

Now it is your turn to get involved in the debate. Let us know who you would choose to lead your team to a Super Bowl next season, where you rank Eli Manning, who is most likely to go to the Hall Of Fame, and who is the greatest of all-time. We'll be waiting for your respones and are ready to defend our decisions as well.

Posted by: Meg I think that if you had Donovan McNabb the giants would still be at home waiting for their rings, just like the Eagles will continue to do as long as we have him. I think NY is lucky to have Eli, he is coming into his own and can only get better. Best ever Joe Montana.

Posted by: Ron Location: New Orleans
I'll pick the Giants to return and win the SB in 2009. It finally dawned on the whole team what they had in Eli and started playing ball. He was the top quarterback in the country during highschool and then college. He's now the best by far in the NFL. No ifs ands or butts. Just wait and see.

Posted by: Mary Location: Miller,PA
I cannot understand the choice of Donovan McNabb for the superbowl. He makes most of his big plays when they don't matter and when things are on the line he has trouble with his throat, I think they call it choking. I have watched Eli for the last few years and he gets better with experience. Don't underestimate him or beleive the hype on others. Best ever Montana.

Posted by: Rick Location: Provo, Utah
Of all those listed, there is no question that Brady, Peyton Manning, and Favre are the three who will end in the Hall of Fame. But give me Favre next year to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Even though he is old (but, hey, some of you might think I am, too) he is cagey like a fox, gutsy, and very good. Give me Favre for next year. (That is barring injury.) As for the greatest of all time, I detect that some of you have a Denver bias. (I personally know your sports director has that bias. He is a Bronco fan all the way, even before he ever moved to Colorado.) However, Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas are probably the two greatest to ever play the NFL game, with Joe Montana being close. Maybe you guys don't go back that far. Keep up the great work!!