I'm seeing posts on social media (FB/Twitter) that Eli is the greatest Giants QB of all time.
I understand he brought us two championships, but is he really the greatest QB of all time?
Over Conerly, Tittle, and maybe Simms?
I'm just looking from perspective from fans who have been around the block a little longer and maybe have a better view on this.
Also Eli over Tarkenton, whom I'm just old enough to remember. Tark was good at the things Eli isn't: Scrambling, accurate short passing. But still.
I don't remember Conerly or Tittle. There were guys before that, too, like Benny Friedman.
I'm with at. Tittle was great but he came to the Giants at age 34. I don't remember that much about Conerly (I'm not that old) but I think he'd be in the discussion if I'd seen him more - he was a career Giant and a good one. Simms was great but for durability and the most amazing moments I think you have to say Eli was/is #1.
Simms also came into a totally hopeless Giants squad. This team is nothing compared to the crap situation the Giants were in for decades when Simms came.
It's interesting though that Eli's qb rank relative to his peers is not as good as Simms in their best years. And why many can look at the overall stats and think it's a runaway for Eli but it's much closer than that.
(Dave Brown gets a shout out too for that one time he knocked cocky Deion on his ass in Dallas) :-)
YAT great warrior and passer but he wasn't hindered as Charlie was. I think Phil Simms was tough, had bad luck, and was limited. No way he is best or even in top three. After Charlie and YAT comes Eli, a winning and great deep passer. If Eli could keep the ball down he would have been so much better.
A QB I never saw was Goldberg (I think that's right) who many would argue was best as he helped innovate T formation, but that requires older records than are in my head.
So in my lifetime and "opinion"
1. Charlie Conerly #42
2. YA Tittle
3. Eli Manning
4. # 10 from and to Vikings
5. Phil Simms
YAT great warrior and passer but he wasn't hindered as Charlie was. I think Phil Simms was tough, had bad luck, and was limited. No way he is best or even in top three. After Charlie and YAT comes Eli, a winning and great deep passer. If Eli could keep the ball down he would have been so much better.
A QB I never saw was Goldberg (I think that's right) who many would argue was best as he helped innovate T formation, but that requires older records than are in my head.
So in my lifetime and "opinion"
1. Charlie Conerly #42
2. YA Tittle
3. Eli Manning
4. # 10 from and to Vikings
5. Phil Simms
AGREE. #6. Kerry Collins
Conerly because he was QB when I first became a Giants fan and his passes to Rote, Gifford, and Shnelker.
And YA because of the passing game opened up under Sherman.
I think Mc would have loved Gary Wood...he was mobile.. O k, he had to be.
I'm not older enough to have an opinion pre-1972, but here's the thing. Simms played on a team that was all about the defense. He played with LT and Harry Carson. When I think about the heroes of that era, he's not the first guy I think of. But his Super Bowl performance was amazing.
But it wasn't *dramatic*. I think those come-from-behind Super Bowl wins--coupled with a few of those playoff games--are defining for Eli. At least for me. When I think about the heroes of the Coughlin era, Eli is at the top.
But I'm talking about perception really, more than comparing their strengths.
A couple of years ago, out of the blue, I wrote a letter to Eli's mother and father, telling them how happy and proud we Giant fans were with Eli,, not only because of his talent and skill, but his decency and demeanor. I said that I believe that comes from his upbringing and I'm writing to compliment and thank you both on raising such a solid citizen and terrific human being.
She wrote back, thanked me and added that the Mannings had a soft spot for the Giants because of Charlie Connerly and are glad Eli was a Giant.
But, Eli passed him. Though his ups and downs, hes been the best in my lifetime. I wasn't around to see Connelly (sp?) or likes prior to 1970s and may have a case to be the best..but in this era I'd say Eli
But, Eli passed him. Though his ups and downs, hes been the best in my lifetime. I wasn't around to see Conerly (sp?) or likes prior to 1970s and may have a case to be the best..but in this era I'd say Eli
I was a kid when Tittle played and thought he was wonderful. Simms brought Giants fans success that for 18 years was reserved for other elite teams, and we all know what Eli has done.
I guess if I had to pick one, it would be Simms.
Tough question
Someone who should at least get honorable mention in this conversation is Ed Danowski. Other than Eli he was the only QB to win 2 titles with the Giants. It was in the 1930's and the QB's role was very different then, but still. (Full disclosure: he was once my gym teacher.)
One thing that under-40s may not fully appreciate: remember the beating Eli took in the NFC Title Game against San Francisco? That’s the first five years of Phil’s career. Every... single... week. And for his first eight years, his wide receivers were the equivalent of Tavarres King and Roger Lewis (plus maybe Sterling Shepard for the year or so when Lionel Manuel was healthy and motivated). Mark Bavaro could only do so much from the TE spot.
Eli was very smart and resilient. Not to mention a great human being on and off the field. I don't think he was a great QB, but a very good manager of the offense. He made as many mistakes as he didn't. He once had a great long ball, but the west coast offense that he was forced into... will forever be seen as the beginning of the end of his career. He was, (and is) ill-suited for such an offense.
Simms would have lit things up in this era.
So it’s Simms, since I didn’t see the Titles of the world.
Tarkenton was good for an additional 3 wins a season. The team from 67-71 would have been under .500 every year without him. Instead, as I recall, they had 1 winning season and two .500 seasons out of the 5.
Definitely best flat top on a Giants QB ever.
For example, Benny Friedman. Given his time, probably the best Giants QB in comparison to his competition.
Link - ( New Window )
Tha said, I think Eli is better. Nothing wrong with being # 2 to Eli.
Never a fan of Tarkenton.
Never saw Tittle, I was born in 196, but the numbers speak for themselves. My dad loved him, said he was tremendous.
Apologies for missing Benny Friedman, he was definitely another great QB.
Bill Walsh once said that, had the Giants not picked him and he had been drafted by Miners like Walsh intended to, that he would have done just as well as Joe Montana.
Collins. Simms was an absolute great leader and very good QB and Eli of course had had some of the greatest moments in Giants history and so I think we need to clarify or define greatest.
With all respect to the '90, '07 and '11 teams, the 1986 team was the best ever, by far, in my lifetime. Simms was a big contributor, but the running game and defense were dominant.
That said, Eli put the team on his back for those two runs. Clutch. Eli is the NYG GOAT, by a nose, in my lifetime.
And while the 1990 era OL were road graders, they weren't exactly the best pass blocking crew.
Eli played well in the Super Bowl, but a Giants QB holding the record for completion % in a SB isn't named Eli Manning.
I'd follow him with Simms, Tittle, and my sentimental favorite Conerly in that order.
Then there's a huge gap. I don't even know who I'd put next, but it would not be Tarkington. Probably Kerry Collins.