Eli Manning and John Elway’s NFL careers began the exact same way. After 88 starts you’ll see their stats are very similar as well.
Even though, in my opinion, today’s QB, in general, has become more of a dink and dunk position (resulting in higher passer ratings), as we saw on Sunday, Eli’s style of down-the-field passing is similar to when Elway played.
What I found very interesting is that the Giants and Broncos were LAST PLACE teams the year before Eli and Elway were drafted. Two years later, after their first full season, both the Giants and Broncos were FIRST PLACE teams.
Two years ago this comparison may have been slightly insulting to John Elway fans but Eli is definitely closing the gap with his play over the last couple years.
Eli and Elway after 88 total starts (81 Regular Season starts and 7 playoff starts)
DRAFTED: Eli first overall/traded, Elway first overall/traded
RECORD YEAR BEFORE DRAFT: Giants 2003: 4-12 (last), Broncos 1982: 2-7 (last-strike season)
RECORD AFTER FIRST FULL SEASON 2005-Giants 11-5 (first), 1984-Broncos 13-3 (first)
SUPER BOWLS: Eli 1, Elway 0
TOTAL RECORD: Eli 52-36 .591, Elway 57-30-1 .655
REG SEASON RECORD: Eli 48- 33 .593, Elway 53-27-1 .663
PLAYOFF RECORD: Eli 4-3 .571, Elway 4-3 .571
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: Eli .535, Elway .518
AVG. RANK OF DEFENSES PLAYED AGAINST (YDS): Eli 15.1, Elway 17.6**
PASSER RATING: Eli 78.1, Elway 74.1
ATT: Eli 2,781, Elway 2,788
COMP: Eli 1,576, Elway 1,515
COMP PCT: Eli 56.7%, Elway 54.3%
PASSING YARDS: Eli 18,311, Elway 19,330
NET PASSING YARDS: Eli 17,296, Elway 17,981
YARDS/ATT: Eli 6.6, Elway 6.9
TD: Eli 124, Elway 111
INT: Eli 90, Elway 103
4th QTR/OT COMEBACKS: Eli 17, Elway 17
SACKS/YARDS: Eli 147/1,015, Elway 178/1,349
**Elways competitors ranked 15.4 in defense out of 28 teams which equates to 17.6 against 32 teams
If Eli turns into 1/2 the QB Elway was over his career, it's all good for Giants fans. Not that he's chopped liver now, but comparing him to Elway wouldn't happen outside of BBI.
Eli has proven again and again he's got ice water running his veins. That's why I laugh when people bitch about him, say he's overpaid and overrated.
2000: 4.0 yards
2001: 4.2 yards
2002: 3.9 yards
2003: 4.0 yards
Since Eli took over:
2004: 4.5 yards
2005: 4.7 yards
2006: 4.7 yards
2007: 4.6 yards
2008: 5.0 yards
We are just finding out this year that, all along, Eli has been calling audibles himself, switching to running plays based on what he sees in the defensive alignment. Being a Manning you know this guy is studying night and day.
I do agree that the Giants have had better backs than the Broncos (until Terrell Davis came along in 1995) but, because the coaches are now publicly recognizing Eli as a big part of the Giant's rushing success you can't argue that he has contributed to the Giants improvement in their running game, especially after looking looking at the numbers above.
Neither he nor Peyton are ever going to be considered mobile.
I think a naked bootleg at the goal line would probably result in Eli walking in to the end zone.
Peyton did a naked bootleg and was un-touched against the Ravens a couple years ago.
At least Elway was a smart powerful passer compared to guys like JaMarcus Russell and Jay Cutler. It's getting old hearing about Jay Cutlers outstanding talent just because he's got a great arm.