New York Giants: More Proof Eli Manning Gets Too Much Flak

Many New York Giants fans are ready to dump Eli Manning. They feel he’s done. Some have even gone so far as to say he’s overrated.

Keep in mind this does not represent the majority of fans. Most are smart enough to understand that Manning has done more for that franchise than any quarterback in history. The record books prove that much. He leads the team all-time in passing yards (51,682), touchdown passes (339) and wins (111). There are also those two Super Bowl rings on his fingers too.

New York can be a pretty unforgiving town if they so easily overlook that and are ready to move on. What’s that famous song lyric? “You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” Clearly some people need some new perspective on how good Manning has been in his career and how bad it could get if and when he finally does retire or get cut/traded.

Eli Manning did the most with the least during his career

Adam Rank of NFL.com raised an interesting point recently. He wanted to compare the best quarterbacks from the memorable 2004 draft class to see who has had the best cast of weapons during his career. Upon review, he discovered something interesting about Manning.

"“Some of my friends, who just so happen to be Giants fans, act like Eli has never played with credible threats during his career. I’m here to tell you that it’s not the case. However, I’m not sure Eli has worked with a Hall of Famer.”"

This is not to say Manning has done it all without help. That’s false. However, can anybody think of the talent he played with during his peak years and say any of them will end up in Canton? Tiki Barber is by far the closest and the odds don’t favor him ever getting in. Plaxico Burress? Ahmad Bradshaw? Hakeem Nicks? Brandon Jacobs? Nope to all. Yet the man has two Super Bowl rings to his name.

Meanwhile one must look at his closest competition. Ben Roethlisberger has almost drowned in riches during his extended run with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward during his early years. Now he has Antonio Brown who’s well on way too. Philip Rivers? Yep even he’s been spoiled. He had LaDainian Tomlinson at running back when he first started and Antonio Gates throughout almost his entire career.

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Tomlinson is already enshrined and Gates will be five years after he finally retires. Roethlisberger has two rings, the same number as Manning despite far more high caliber weapons. Rivers has none. This should reflect on just how much impact the younger Manning has had on the Giants franchise. Sure he hasn’t been at his best in awhile, but one should not dismiss him because of that.