I've never regarded Eli as a Top 3 QB...more often In and Around Top 5, at his peak. That's not shot at him---there are Legends and all-timers ahead of him at most points in his career.
The 2011 Championship Game is Eli's Emblem... it's the greatest game I've ever seen a Quarterback play. You may disagree with that. From a somewhat different perspective, I'd ask whether any other QB could have played that game on that Day and taken THAT BEATING.... 6 sacks, and a tremendous pounding.
I did not remember that he passed the ball 58 times... I did remember that he took a brutal beating. 6 Sacks...12 recorded Hits. 2 td...0 INT.
I don't know how the Football world sees Eli.... I understand the HOF arguments on Either Side. Eli could not do some of what his greatest contemporaries could do---but he did what almost none of them could.
I know THAT GAME, The 2011 NFC Championshiip, is a HOF Game. THAT GAME is a Game that "Another QB", ANY OTHER, would be Unlikely to Play and Win.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201220sfo.htm#all_player_offense
Truly, one of the best, if not the best performance of his career.
I don't think there is another QB capable of winning either title game Eli did, given the opponents + the conditions both games were played in.
39 pressures
12 qb hits
I also think that TD pass to Manningham was one of the best throws of his career. I believe it came on a 3rd and long but I could be mistaken. Amazing performance.
What a game though. The Eli toughness. Overcoming Vernon Davis having a monster game. The controversial non-fumble by Bradshaw.
Wow.
Thanks for the stats tuckrule
By contrast Wentz self reported his concussion and left the playoff game vs the Seahawks. Does anyone believe Eli wasn't concussed in that game? I'm not saying what Wentz did was 'wrong' but it sure can't be described as tough.
Turns out it was pretty severe.
Not reporting concussion symptoms could absolutely be described as stupid. I'm not sure why that would be considered tough.
And then they were. Like the liquid metal cop in Terminator 2, Manning just kept getting up. Several times that day, I thought he was injured. Gets up, pulls the jersey off the exposed shoulder pad, pulls a chunk of sod out of his facemask...
...and fucking SHRUGS.
That shrug - said so much. He really was unflappable in his early years. In 2011, he was MVP, in my opinion. The Giants would not have won the NFC Championship, or the Super Bowl, then Giants would not have MADE THE PLAYOFFS without him.
The irony that they did this to San Fran TWICE - in 1990, the 49ers were DESTINED for a Three-Peat, this was the game that they had the game in the bag, Giants on the ropes late in the game when the impossible happened - first, Leonard Marshall ended Joe Montana with a hit that left him with a bruised sternum, bruised stomach, cracked ribs and a broken hand. Then, with the Niners running out the clock in Giants territory when Lawrence Taylor suddenly had possession of the ball and the Giants had just enough to move the ball into Matt Bahr's range.
The 2 best franchise runs in NFL history both share the same distinction of having the New York Giants shit in their hats on multiple occasions. :)
Thank you, Eli.
This is why no-one should care. The Hall of Fame is base doc for careers. As a Giants fan I don't give a shit if he gets in or not. Doesn't change my opinion or memories either way.
Well said! So true. That defense was an all time great defense. The names across that defense are mind boggling
Patrick Willis
Aldon Smith
Justin Smith
Donte whither
Dashon Goldson
Navarro Bowman
Ray McDonald
Carlos Rodgers AKA Victor Cruz’s bitch
[quote] In comment 14791919 JohnG in Albany said:
Quote:
was Manning's "middle finger game" for his doubters.
Well said! So true. That defense was an all time great defense. The names across that defense are mind boggling
Patrick Willis
Aldon Smith
Justin Smith
Donte whither
Dashon Goldson
Navarro Bowman
Ray McDonald
Carlos Rodgers AKA Victor Cruz’s
There was a play late in the game where Eli hit Bradshaw with a short dump-off .... after the pass, Eli absorbed just an hellacious hit from Aldon Smith ... Smith had a long running start and picked him up and landed with all his 270lbs on him in the worst possible way. All I can say is, cheers to Eli and his indomitable will. That game was one of the sports highlights of my life.
This
[quote] In comment 14791919 JohnG in Albany said:
Quote:
was Manning's "middle finger game" for his doubters.
Well said! So true. That defense was an all time great defense. The names across that defense are mind boggling
Patrick Willis
Aldon Smith
Justin Smith
Donte whither
Dashon Goldson
Navarro Bowman
Ray McDonald
Carlos Rodgers AKA Victor Cruz’s
There was a play late in the game where Eli hit Bradshaw with a short dump-off .... after the pass, Eli absorbed just an hellacious hit from Aldon Smith ... Smith had a long running start and picked him up and landed with all his 270lbs on him in the worst possible way. All I can say is, cheers to Eli and his indomitable will. That game was one of the sports highlights of my life.
That was the most emotionally/physically exhausted I've ever been after watching a sporting even from the comfort of my home... so I KNOW the players must have been spent.
Quote:
In comment 14791941 Tuckrule said:
[quote] In comment 14791919 JohnG in Albany said:
Quote:
was Manning's "middle finger game" for his doubters.
Well said! So true. That defense was an all time great defense. The names across that defense are mind boggling
Patrick Willis
Aldon Smith
Justin Smith
Donte whither
Dashon Goldson
Navarro Bowman
Ray McDonald
Carlos Rodgers AKA Victor Cruz’s
There was a play late in the game where Eli hit Bradshaw with a short dump-off .... after the pass, Eli absorbed just an hellacious hit from Aldon Smith ... Smith had a long running start and picked him up and landed with all his 270lbs on him in the worst possible way. All I can say is, cheers to Eli and his indomitable will. That game was one of the sports highlights of my life.
That was the most emotionally/physically exhausted I've ever been after watching a sporting even from the comfort of my home... so I KNOW the players must have been spent.
It’s right up there with 1990 NFC “There will be NO Three-peat!” title game v the Niners as the most gutwrenching for me.
Last few years aside, we’ve been lucky as hell to be Giants fans.
You referenced the Niners defense above. A complete powerhouse. I watched a 14 minute highlight package of the game and forgot just how incredible Justin Smith was in his prime — just a raging bull.
In response to someone's comment above, the TD to Manningham was a 17-yard TD on 3rd and 16.
Pounding and pounding and pounding and he still gets up and go to the huddle and calls the play.
I was really proud Eli was our QB that day. Most clutch season ever by qb.
Topped with Super bowl champ!
I miss it...
Obviously the Williams fumbles played a big role in the result, but Eli stepped up bigtime despite dealing with an OL that was overwhelmed by the 49ers' front 7.
- Giants won the TOP battle 39:36 to 28:18 despite being significantly outrushed by the Niners (150 to 85).
- Giants were able to extend drives by converting 3rd downs (7-21 on 3rd downs), unlike the Niners (1-13 on 3rd downs)
- All 7 of the Giants' 3rd down conversions came via an Eli Manning pass including a 17 yard TD strike to Manningham on 3rd and 15.
The QB pressure stats have been posted above, but it was just incredible how Eli stood in there under that heat and stepped up and delivered.
I don't think it was the best game of his career (JPP game in '11 vs. Dallas or '11 Super Bowl are my choices). But it was a career defining moment and a hell of a game.
In response to someone's comment above, the TD to Manningham was a 17-yard TD on 3rd and 16.
Yes!!! Thank you lawguy. One of my favorite throws of Eli’s career. Really an underrated moment for him