Eli Manning

[Fin077]

Has anyone seen him play??

Is he really that good that people could seriously compare him to Elway or Marino?

 

[Paullyboy]

Ive seen 2 games of his, the first he looked good - not great. He looked like one of those college QBs that will make pro, but most likely spend his career as a backup trading between teams every time his contract his up.

The second time I saw him he showed a bit of spark that was missing in the first game and suggested that he might have the ability to be something good.

But I wouldnt consider him anywhere near worthy of comparisons to Elway or Marino.

I have a feeling the guy will be a bit incosistent.

 

[Fin077]

Thanks Paully. It's gonna be interesting to see how he goes.

Kerry Collins packed his bags and moved out of Giant land the other day.....if Eli finds the going a bit too tough, the Giants could stuggle this season.

I guess going off your impressions he has the raw talent and might get better as he learns and gains experience in the NFL.

The way he carried on about not wanting to play in San Diego, he seems to maybe be a little spoiled which could hamper his ability to learn.

Anyway, we'll see what happens. If he's half as good as his brother, he's worth having!

 

[Paullyboy]

Rumour has it that either Neil O'Donnel, Kurt Warner or most likely Vinny Testaverde will be signed to the Giants as backup to help bring Eli through.

 

[Fin077]

Is Neil O'Donnell still going!! :shock: :lol:

I thought he was planning to retire at the end of last season!

If I were the Giants I'd be putting everything behind getting Kurt Warner. Like you said Paully, he'd be very handy in bringing Eli through his first year with the big boys.

 

[Cupid Stunt]

IMO he is riding his family name. The kid has a good arm but doesnt seem to dictate games. Roethlisberger is the pick of the draft for mine. This guy will lead & win. Plus all 'round he is just simply bigger, faster, stronger.

Not wanting to go to SD & whinging about it I at first thought was childish but in retrospect I'm starting to give him some credit. Joey Harrington is a gun QB factoring in his time in the big show & the cattle he has had to work with but his stocks have plummeted since leaving Oregon. Nothing to do with his skills just a poor performing team. Eli may have earned a few extra million on his next contract by ending up in NY.

 

[Paullyboy]

This is the gist of what ive been hearing about Eli's situation:


Eli's agent is Tom Condon who represents, Marty Schottenheimer, Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson (all San Diego Chargers)

Word has it that Marty told Tom Condon that the situation in SD was bad and not let Eli sign with SD. Tom Condon had terrible negotating confrontations with owners Alex and Dean Spanos and so Eli never even visited SD

Condon said that Eli didn't want the Chargers to sign with them. SD contacts Paul Tagliabue and Tagliabue asked Archie (Eli's Dad) to go out and meet with SD and see what could be done, The fact was SD wanted to sign Phillip Rivers and not Eli but they were afraid of the heat the fans would give them not signing Eli after the Michael Vick fiasco

Archie confirmed what Marty Schottenheimer and Tom Condon had told him, Archie said he would take the heat on Eli's decision not to play for SD even if he had to sit out a year

So as it worked out SD got Rivers and Eli signed with a team he can win with in a professional organization. So Archie and Eli have copped a bit from the media, but I think they made the right moves

I thought some of you will find this interesting

 

[cq]

History says there is a fair chance that Eli will be a bust. Look at the last big QB draft (class of 99). I think Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb all went in the 1st round. Out of the 4, you could only consider McNabb and Culpepper a success at this stage. Couch has been a starter for most of his career without doing anything special. Smith had the misfortune to be picked by the Bengals when they were hopeless and I don't even know if he is still in the NFL. Ryan Leaf comes to mind as another high pick who turned out to be a bust.

 

[Paullyboy]

Akili Smith really could have been something good, but the disgraceful ownership at Cinncinatti ruined any chance he had. They are going to do the same thing to Palmer as well.

I think that was a successful group in the main, I mean Donovan and Daunte are absolute superstars now.

If only Rivers and Eli make it as gun QBs then still I think thats pretty descent. I dont like Rivers chances though now that he is in Sandy

 

[Fin077]

Now that I've read the full story on Eli my opinion of him is very different! It's amazing how your opinion changes when you have the full story! ;-)

I just had a look in nfl.com for Akili Smith and he's not listed at all....I guess he's moved on.

 

[Paullyboy]

Akili left the Bengals after the 2002 season to join Green Bay and tried to earn the number 2 spot behind Brett Favre, he failed and I believe he was released.

 

[legend]

I remember watching a program on Akili Smith and the leadup to the 99 draft. He was with his family and his agent advised him he had just been selected by the Bengals and he was stoked. Never heard much from him again.

I don't think Eli will be as good as Peyton but you never know. No QB class will ever top 83'. Elway, Marino and Kelly all in one class makes it easily the best ever.

I wish Denver would buy Kurt Warner as a backup. The guy is still a gun.

 

[Paullyboy]

I think Warner is over-rated, he has only had 2 good seasons out of 6.

 

[Fin077]

True, but he'd have alot of knowledge and tips he could pass on to a guy like Eli Manning.

For this reason I think he'd be worth signing.

 

[Paullyboy]

Problem with doing this is that as soon as the Giants lose a couple of games with Eli at QB, the fans will lose interest in developing their QB and just be desperate for wins - that creates a problem because people push for Kurt to be given the start. When this happens many a great rookie has dissapeared.

I think their best bet is signing Vinny. He is well and truely over the hill now and I cant imagine anyone ever expecting him to start regardless of any struggle's Eli has

 

[Fin077]

Good point that Paully......

I notice Marc Bulger just signed a 4 year contract with the Rams, which will no doubt mean Kurt will be on the lookout for a new job.

 

[Cupid Stunt]

Manning is in a whole world of trouble already. Theres no way I'd be looking forward to a season & leading a team that already is mumbling about what happens when you fall on your face. He will look like a champ if he pulls it off but I dont see it happening.

 

[Cupid Stunt]

Ooops... Double post.

 

[Cupid Stunt]

Bugger... Triple post. Bloody itchy trigger finger. :lol:

 

[Fin077]

Found this article this morning......Doesnt really shed much more light on the issue, but still interesting;

QB Warner talking to Giants

NFL.com wire reports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (May 6, 2004) -- The New York Giants are thinking about signing quarterback Kurt Warner if the two-time NFL MVP is released by the St. Louis Rams in a salary-cap move.

"We've been talking," Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, said in a telephone interview.

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon had no comment.

Bartelstein has spoken with six or seven teams about signing Warner since the Rams gave him permission to shop for a deal for the quarterback who led St. Louis to a Super Bowl championship in the 1999 season.

Warner's future in St. Louis became very uncertain this week when the Rams signed Marc Bulger to a four-year contract.

It's unlikely Warner will take a pay cut to stay with the Rams, and it's even more unlikely he will enjoy being Bulger's backup again.

Coming to the Giants, however, also would pose questions.

New York seemingly wants to start Eli Manning, the top pick last month in the NFL draft. The Giants cut Kerry Collins, taking $8.95 million off the team's salary cap this season.

"We haven't said we're going to New York," Bartelstein said. "I don't think they have decided on what is the best way to develop Manning."

Bartelstein said Warner would be willing to sign a one-year contract, acknowledging this is not an easy time for veterans to get multiyear deals.

"Kurt wants to start and play and have a great season," said Bartelstein, who would not identify the other teams interested in Warner.

Warner lost his starting job to Bulger after fumbling six times in a season-opening loss to the Giants. He had three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in an injury-plagued 2002.

The Giants recently courted veteran quarterback Neil O'Donnell as a possible backup and mentor to Manning, whom they acquired in trade with San Diego. But the 14-year veteran said he planned to retire.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service