Is Eli Manning the NFL’s best quarterback? Not likely, but the New York Giants passer is definitely among the top five.
After winning his second Super Bowl MVP award in five seasons, he is no longer overshadowed by his older brother Peyton and the league’s other top names.
Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans’ Drew Brees are everyone’s Nos. 1 and 2. Rodgers was named the NFL MVP on Saturday, while Brees was tabbed the offensive player of the year. Both have Super Bowl rings.
Tom Brady, despite losing his second straight Super Bowl after winning his first three, remains among the top five. He completed a Super Bowl-record 16 straight passes in Sunday’s 21-17 loss to New York. Like his supermodel wife, Gisele, bluntly said, Brady can’t throw and catch the ball.
Peyton Manning, should he return this fall after missing last season because of neck surgery, remains in the top five. He now has one less ring than Eli but is the game’s best when healthy.
All four are bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Peyton Manning and Brady will be in on the first ballot.
But Eli Manning no longer can be ignored. Two Super Bowl MVP awards elevate his Hall of Fame candidacy. At 31, he still has a chance for another title.
Maybe Manning doesn’t have his brother’s golden arm, but he’s savvier in big games. Indeed, Manning has become just like Ben Roethlisberger, able to rise to the occasion.
The Washington Redskins need to find a quarterback like Manning in the coming months. Look beyond the NFL Combine drills, 40 time and Wonderlic test. Look instead for a leader like Manning, who rallied a 7-7 team to six straight wins.
With less than four minutes remaining and the Giants down 17-15 on Sunday, Manning carried that confidence onto the field. He hit five of six passes before the Giants ran for a touchdown. Manning stole the Super Bowl from Brady. Indeed, Manning’s two Super Bowl victories over Brady will define him.
Intangibles create greatness. Few NFL teams would take Eli Manning over Brees, Rodgers, Brady or Peyton Manning. Maybe not over Cam Newton, Philip Rivers or Roethlisberger, either.
And they would be making a mistake. The Redskins blew it the last three times they drafted a quarterback in the first round with Health Shuler, Patrick Ramsey and Jason Campbell. NFL teams need to look for something more than a great arm. Jeff George was one of the best pure passers in years but couldn’t win or stay on a roster consistently with seven teams in 14 seasons.
Manning was a decent quarterback by his second season but didn’t join the elite until his sixth year. The Giants’ patience has been rewarded with three standout seasons.
Now Manning deserves equal billing with Brady and Co. leaguewide. He earned it. And one day, Canton may come calling, too.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
