A couple of weeks before the NFL season started, Eli Manning was asked a question, something to the effect of is he in the same class as some of the elite QBs in the league. Manning's answer was, verbatim, "I consider myself in that class." From jump, that comment made unnecessary headlines.
Millions of people and hundreds of sports writers scoffed at the notion that Eli Manning, All Pro and Superbowl MVP quarterback of the great New York Giants, would even place himself in that elite class of QBs. What was he supposed to say? What is a quarterback, the most important skill position and leader on a football team, supposed to say when asked if he thinks he's one of the best? Nonetheless, all the sports writers started to overstate his flaws, point out the league leading 25 interceptions thrown last year, and questioning his leadership abilities.
Week 3 against the Eagles. Giants down 16-14 at the start of the 4th quarter. Eli connects with Victor Cruz and later Ahmad Bradshaw for TDs to come away with the victory. I consider him in that class.
Week 4 at Arizona. Giants down 20-10 at the start of the 4th quarter. Eli commands his team down the field and gets a score from Brandon Jacobs. Later connects with Jake Ballard and Hakeem Nicks on the last drive of the game for the win. I consider him in that class.
Week 6 against the Bills. With the score tied up at 24 nearing the end of regulation, Eli Manning marches his team 76 yards for a game winning field goal. I consider him in that class.
Week 8 against Miami. Giants are getting bested by the winless Dolphins trailing 17 to 10 at the start of the 4th quarter. A field goal and a 25 yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz puts them ahead for good. I consider him in that class.
This past Sunday, at New England, in a stellar defensive show put on by both teams until the last quarters, Manning again found himself in an all too familiar circumstance. After throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, the Patriots struck back and reclaimed the lead, 20-16. It's apparent that New England showed no respect to the Giants offense allowing them plenty time on the clock to march down the field....and march down the field they did. Eli connected with Jake Ballard for the come from behind victory in enemy territory. No Ahmad Bradshaw and no Hakeem Nicks...NO PROBLEM. Tom Brady aka Justin Bieber Sr., has more weapons at his disposal than that of Elite Manning but throwing to Wes Welker and Wes Welker and Wes Welker and Wes Welker and Gronkowski and Hernandez and Wes Welker does not make you and elite quarterback this year.
With an NFL leading, 5 come from behind victories, and quarter back of the 2nd best team in the league, Eli Manning, the elite Eli Manning has emerged. I consider him in that class.
I'm not recapping other scores this week. That's what ESPN is for. The story this week is the New York Giants!!!
For those of you that listened to me and saw the James Kirkland and Angulo boxing match....WOW. Excellent fight. Fight of the year candidate. Recap? Nah, you should have listened to me and seen the fight.
This weekend however, will be the final time Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez square off against each other. Marquez has no business climbing up this high in weight....again. He doesn't learn. Maybe he would have a chance if they were still at featherweight or super featherweight but Pacquiao is just too big, too strong, too fast for him at welterweight. This is no way going to be a war like their previous fights. I see this bout lasting no more than 5 rounds with Pacquiao making Marquez call it quits for good on his stool like Chicken De La Hoya.
Hit me up with a comment below and follow me on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment