preview. There's no reason to focus on anything except Eli. I know this isn't how he wanted to end his Giants career, but I'm sure we'll get his best on Monday night. He is the consummate professional. I have been fortunate to see the entire careers of Eli and LT. As a fan, I could not have asked for anything more.
I remember watching footage of Eric present the BBI Player of the Year Award to Eli. Reading this tribute was very poignant. Years later, fans who didn’t get to see Eli play can read this and understand why Eli is a legend.
for stating so very well how much Eli Manning has meant to the Giants and to Giants fans. I've seen every Giants quarterback from Charlie Conerly to Y.A. Tittle to Fran Tarkenton to Phil Simms to Eli Manning to Daniel Jones, as well as all of the ones in between -- good bad, really bad and terrible. Manning will always be special to me for his play, for those wonderful playoff runs you cited, for the two championships, those incredible, indelible special plays, for his poise, character, toughness, and perseverance. He will never get enough credit for what he accomplished here. If it turns out Jones won't be ready for the Dolphins I'm planning on being at Met Life on Dec. 15 to see Manning take the field in what will likely be the last time as starting QB for the New York Giants.
We all know this game is meaningless in the standings. But it is not meaningless for those of us who appreciate everything Eli did for this franchise, and the incredible memories he left us.
The rub with Eli’s career is if you take away his two 4-0 playoff runs, other than longevity which led to stat accumulation, his career doesn’t seem very impressive. But… but… but… you CAN’T take away those two playoff runs.
...but there is simply no other career in NFL history like Eli Manning's. Absurd, arguably unparalleled highs (SB42, 49ers slugfest) and just unspeakably humiliating lows (unfortunately a long list, and often features the team the NYG will play Monday). Joe Flacco is the only career really even somewhat comparable. 10-5 post-season record, 1 absolutely epic run.
Quote:
Win or lose on Monday night, you are about to see him play for the New York Giants for possibly the last time. Appreciate the moment.
The Giants are going to lose on Monday, Eric. The Eagles don't lose to the NYG anymore, and they're almost certainly not going to do so at home, fighting for the NFC East crown. I bet part of Manning doesn't even want to play in this game.
for a beautifully written and very touching narrative..
any professional sports writers that have an opportunity to read this should request permission to copy and paste it to whatever media outlet they work for
If we lose, I hope he starts against the Dolphins and Redskins. Not that I wish DJ ill -- he is excellent, and I want him to be fully healed. But I'd love for Eli to have the chance to finish his career with a couple of wins: his final last-minute come-from-behind defy-the-odds legacy.
I have lost faith in this franchise after witnessing the debacle that this ownership has allowed. I will watch tomorrow night because I love Eli and the Giants have been my team for 58 years.
We cannot ignore the bad decisions, the lousy coaching and the incompetence we have seen! This is a sorry franchise!
Great write up Eric and very touching I wish the circumstances were better limping into Monday
night game with our hated rivals who have owned us for
far too long . Big game for the Eagles Eli being tossed
into the lions den with a broken down team .
But as you stated he has had some incredible wins
that will never be forgotten .
I bet you Eli wants to play, he’s been wanting to play since September.
It’s very unlikely but I hope he balls out tomorrow
Don't be daft. My insinuation is clear.
Of course he wants to play football. Obviously he still thinks he can ball and may very well do so for another team (Tampa? Denver?) in 2020. I'm rooting for him to succeed.
But to play at the Linc against a team which has owned him, behind a terrible offensive line, throwing to a hugely banged up receiving corps, a dysfunctional circus of a team that has lost EIGHT games in a row?...? You don't think a little part of him is disappointed to step into the spotlight in that context? He won't show as much cause he's the consummate pro, but let's recognize just how embarrassing the Giants' situation is here.
THE FINAL WORD
Thank you Eli. We’re proud of you.
...as you've ever written IMO.
Very touching tribute to Eli Manning.
...but there is simply no other career in NFL history like Eli Manning's. Absurd, arguably unparalleled highs (SB42, 49ers slugfest) and just unspeakably humiliating lows (unfortunately a long list, and often features the team the NYG will play Monday). Joe Flacco is the only career really even somewhat comparable. 10-5 post-season record, 1 absolutely epic run.
The Giants are going to lose on Monday, Eric. The Eagles don't lose to the NYG anymore, and they're almost certainly not going to do so at home, fighting for the NFC East crown. I bet part of Manning doesn't even want to play in this game.
any professional sports writers that have an opportunity to read this should request permission to copy and paste it to whatever media outlet they work for
It’s very unlikely but I hope he balls out tomorrow
We cannot ignore the bad decisions, the lousy coaching and the incompetence we have seen! This is a sorry franchise!
...as you've ever written IMO.
Very touching tribute to Eli Manning.
Great write up Eric and very touching I wish the circumstances were better limping into Monday
night game with our hated rivals who have owned us for
far too long . Big game for the Eagles Eli being tossed
into the lions den with a broken down team .
But as you stated he has had some incredible wins
that will never be forgotten .
It’s very unlikely but I hope he balls out tomorrow
Don't be daft. My insinuation is clear.
Of course he wants to play football. Obviously he still thinks he can ball and may very well do so for another team (Tampa? Denver?) in 2020. I'm rooting for him to succeed.
But to play at the Linc against a team which has owned him, behind a terrible offensive line, throwing to a hugely banged up receiving corps, a dysfunctional circus of a team that has lost EIGHT games in a row?...? You don't think a little part of him is disappointed to step into the spotlight in that context? He won't show as much cause he's the consummate pro, but let's recognize just how embarrassing the Giants' situation is here.