jerseyhoya wrote:I was pretty sure we'd be better than the Eagles this year and we're 5 games back after 7 games.

NOT GREAT

Though the silver lining is the crash will be even more painful than usual.

jerseyhoya wrote:Time to start prepping myself to root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl

TenuredVulture wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Time to start prepping myself to root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl

Go Vikings.

Bill McNeal wrote:

TenuredVulture wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Time to start prepping myself to root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl

Go Vikings.

I'd root for you against the patriots.
You all suck, we rooted for you against the pats. Lesser of evils. Don't be like that.

Bill McNeal wrote:

TenuredVulture wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Time to start prepping myself to root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl

Go Vikings.

You all suck, we rooted for you against the pats. Lesser of evils. Don't be like that.

Eli Manning is my favorite player ever in any sport. There’ve been better players on my teams, some of whom I’ve loved (Utley, Strahan, Halladay, Marty) others more just marveled at (Suarez, OBJ), but no one really compares to Eli.

For 14 years, week in and week out he was under center for my New York Football Giants. In the same time period Washington has started 10 different quarterbacks, while the Cowboys and Eagles have started a dozen different guys. The last time someone other than Eli started for the Giants I was a junior in college and GWB had just won reelection. There were a lot of fun fall and winter Sundays in the interim.

Of course any homage to Eli has to focus on the Super Bowls. The 1st was probably the best night of my life. A magical, unexpected and deserved win over the undefeated Pats. It will be remembered forever for many reasons, not least of which Eli escaping and somehow getting the ball to Tyree for that catch. The 2nd was great in its own way, included probably his best throw ever to kick off the game winning TD drive, and served as validation to anyone complaining about the helmet catch being a fluke.

To get to those Super Bowls took three wins both times, all but one on the road. Won in Tampa then beat Romo/TO’s 13-3 top seeded Cowboys and Favre at Lambeau in historically cold temps. On the 2nd run we dominated the Falcons at home, thrashed a 15-1 Rodgers led Packers team at Lambeau, then got by the Niners in SF.

I don’t think any game is a better microcosm of Eli than that Niners NFC CG. Stat line was not amazing – threw for 316 yards, but took 58 attempts to do so. 2 TDs and 0 picks, but at least a few that could’ve been INTs. He got sacked 6 times and was belted a number of times on top of that, but every fucking time he got back up. It wasn’t the greatest or flashiest QB performance ever, but facing a ferocious pass rush and great defense he persevered, stood in to make tough throws, and we won.

There’ll be time for HoF debates down the line. I hope he goes to Jacksonville or somewhere with an actual team around him where he can add to his achievements like Peyton did. But his legacy as an all-time Giants legend is beyond question.

He’s never been the best QB in the league or conference, and many years not even the division. But being good week in, week out for 14 years is its own form of greatness. Love ya, Eli. If this is the end, it’s been a pleasure.

mozartpc27 wrote:enjoyed the post, jerz, even if you are a filthy Giants fan. Still not sure I can wrap my head around how you and TV are Phillies/Giants, but there we are. I guess I have to meet an Eagles/Yankees fan to help with my understanding.

And I have mad respect for Eli, he's definitely underrated and will be a HOFer I think. Dude is tough as nails.

Werthless wrote:Your prediction powers have been pretty bad lately. Perhaps you're entering the George Costanza zone.

jerseyhoya wrote:The Eagles are better than I expected they would be and Wentz has improved, but he's a fucking idiot who needs to learn how to protect himself soon.

CalvinBall wrote:Hard to protect from non contact injuries but otherwise spot on.