My thank you to Eli Manning

[AP44]

For the last 16 years and across three Giants fanbase board - there probably hasnt been a bigger fan of Eli Manning than myself. When Eli was drafted in 2004, there was probably no bigger fan instantly than me. I actually went to Penn State passing camp with him. I caught a few balls when they wanted me to try out as a tight end from him. I followed his career at Ole Miss. When the Giants traded for him, I had this feeling that it would be the greatest trade in our history.

You came in as a rookie and struggled mightily. You had a 0.0 QB rating against Baltimore. Jermore McDougal nearly sent your head into the 30th row. However, it didnt phase you. You came out against another heralded rookie and went toe to toe with him in your best game in 2004. You had a game winning drive against the the hated Cowboys, and even though the season was over - you showed that this could be your town.

You showed signs of progress in the following years. You made the playoffs in 2005 and 2006 behind a strong running game and timely passes to Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Jeremy Shockey. You won the hearts of your teammates with a game winning drive against Denver, on a pass you got obliterated on. However, your detractors were still rampant as you threw a lot of INTs and the Giants didnt dominate teams like Philly, Dallas, or Washington. Your first playoff game was one to forget. You threw 3 INTs and couldnt even muster a point against the Panthers. 2016 was better. Who could forget your game in Philadelphia when you were sacked 8 times and still led a game from behind victory in OT with the game winning pass to Burress. You made the playoffs behind a super her effort from Tiki Barber that tear but the playoffs still didnt go well with a loss to the hated Eagles. People started to question whether you had it to lead the Giants to a victory in the playoffs. The INTs were rampant. Tiki was leaving due to retirement. The question remained - can Eli be the savior of the franchise now.

2007 started off with a bang, but not a good one. Tiki came out and questioned/mocked your leadership. Plaxico was constantly hurt. Shockey wanted nothing to do with you and let the world know. The first two games were utter disasters. You got hurt against Dallas and was suppose to be out 4-6 weeks. You were trailing in the 4th quarter against the Skins in the 3rd game. But we won. There were pathetic games in the meantime, most notably the 4 INT game against Minny. You were never on the same page with your WRs. It was ugly football for the most of 2007 but then Shockey got hurt. The team had a great win against Chicago. You guys had a great run game and defense against Buffalo that clinched a playoff spot. You went against the 15-0 Patriots and went to to toe with them for 60 minutes and almost knocked them off, the next meeting wasnt too kind to them. The first playoff win of your career came in TB where the epitome of the 2007 team came in one drive between the 3rd and 4th periods where you held the ball for 15 and over 9:00 for the game clinching TD. You went into Dallas and beat the heavily favored Cowboys, who had beaten you twice previously in the year. You executed the 2:00 offense at the end of the half like you were a surgeon. Then came GB, where your face and other body parts nearly froze in the middle of the game. Favre had only 1 loss in Lambeau. GB was unbeatable there. Favre was taking his team to the SB for the last time. However, you and Burress made Al Harris look like a rookie. Jacobs and Bradshaw were running over defenders. The defense was clamping down - as guys like Pierce were literally running through 3 blockers to stop a touchdown. Tynes missed a few field goal, but nailed the important one in OT to get you guys in the SB and a rematch with the undefeated Patriots and Tom Brady.

The game was a classic. Tough throw, tough runs, and tough defense by both sides. They had a 7-3 lead after three quarters, but you hooked up immediately with Boss for al ong gain on a drive that led to a go ahead score. There was some missed opportunities as you and Burress failed to communicate on a long play. Brady hits Moss for the go ahead TD - but there was one problem. They left you too much time. We converted 4th and 1. You got sacked. You then magically created the greatest play in SB history with an escape that no one, even members on your own team, figured how you do it. You launched high and over the middle (which is a big no-no for a QB) and it magically landed on the helmet of David Tyree. We all knew what was going to happen. We converted a big 3rd and 11 to Steve Smith. And the next play with less than 30 seconds, you made it happen with a TD to Plaxico Burress. Undefeated the Patriots were no more. We were world champions and you were deemed the best player in the most important game.

2008 came along with high expectations. The defense and the run game were the best in football. The Giants took down the Packers, Saints, Ravens, and Steelers ho were all considered serious contenders for the SB. And then it happened. Plaxico shoots himself. Our passing game lost its biggest threat. The defense is worn down. OL got beat up. We made the playoffs but were sputtering to the end and lost to the Eagles, again!

The next couple of years were so much of a roller coaster. The yards were there, the TDs were there, but unfortunately the INTs and the losses were too. Lot of blame centered around Coughlin/Gilbride, people said you were regressing and didnt take the next step, others blamed the WRs for drops and wrong routes. I was one of those people. I was one of those who people who defended you with all my might. Fans still wanted you gone. Fans still said you were an average at best QB. That you coudlnt win without a defense and a run game. And then...

2011 came. The year were Eli Manning became of the greatest players in our franchise. Most of the doubters went away. The supporting cast you had some amazing individual talents, but as units - they failed. You took a late 1st round pick, the last pick in the 3rd round, and UDFA and made them the best WR corps in football. You took an UDFA TE and made him one of the most reliable players on the team. The team was becoming a little long in the tooth. The OL was showing signs of deteriorating. The defense outside of JPP, were inconsistent all year. Playoffs were just a dream with the worst rushing attack in football and the 25th ranked defense. There was a 3 game stretch that seemed to end the season. A bad game against Philly, a beat down by the NO Saints, and a crippling loss to the Packers and the officials. A loss to Dallas the following week seem inevitable and the ending of the season. And with 5:00 left, down 34-22 - it looked like another disappointing season. But something happened. The Eli of 2011 took us from despair to jubilation. You led us to 2 fourth quarter TD drives in the last 5 minutes. JPP blocks a field goal, and we stunned Dallas to keep the season alive. Not only did that win keep us alive, but awoke our struggling defense to the point where they went from one of the leagues worst, to one of the leagues best. In the last two games we beat the hated Jets thanks to a 99 yard pass to Cruz and then took down the Cowboys at home, where you set an NFL record with the most 4th quarter TD passes in a year. Also, earlier you set the record for most come from behind victories as well.

With all the momentum going into the playoffs.... the Falcons had no prayer as Nicks turned into the best WR in the NFL. The defense shut the Falcons out which included two 4th and 1 stops deep in our territory. The following week, you went into your home away from home and took down the 15-1 Packers and league MVP Aaron Rodgers. The officials did everything they could in that game as well. But with 3 more TD passes, timely turnovers by the defense, and the run game coming alive - the vaunted Packers were taken down and everyone knew playoff Eli was a real thing.

Then came the greatest game of your life. In the rain and slop in SF, you were hit to the point where no one thought you would get up. You were facing one of the best defenses in the NFL who were known to get to the QB. But it didnt stop you. You stood in the pocket and delivered strike after strike. Your helmet was sideways, grass was in your facemask, your jersey was ripped off your pads. It didnt faze you one bit. The offensive showing wont go down as one of the best statistical games ever - but for those who watched it.... knew that Eli Manning willed his team to victory.

The came another SB rematch and the script wasnt too much different. A back and forth game. The Patriots taking the lead. You needing a score late in the game to win the Super Bowl - and again you lead them down the field - starting with one of the greatest clutch throws ever to Mario Manningham. You looked off the safety and then dropped the ball into a space where only Manningham could catch and keep his feet in bounds. Bradshaw eventually took the ball in for the game winning score - and once again Eli Manning was a Super Bowl MVP by completing 30 of his 40 passes.

Eli, the first half of your career was not matched by many of your peers. You were well on your way not only to the HOF but as one of the most accomplished QBs ever. However, the second half of your career would not go as planned. Injuries to Nicks, Cruz, Smith, and Ballard set back was suppose to be a great WR core. The OL got old and injured and was never replenished. Snee was your rock for year and career was ended prematurely. Diehl and McKenzie were old and beaten down. Baas never became the stable force at center. Seubert's best day were behind him. And unfortunately we neglected the line for a few years and when we did pick an OL with a premium pick - they busted. The run game suffered once Bradshaw/Jacobs showed their age. The defense had a bunch of injuries as well. The team was going downhill in the prime of your career.

There were signs of life though. A man named Odell Beckham came to the team are rejuvenated your career and the Giants offense. For the next 3 years, you guys worked your magic together, unfortunately though the wins didnt come at first. The team was filled with castoffs, over the hill veterans, and draft busts where we just couldnt overcome the connection you two set. Who could forget the one handed TD grab by OBJ, the domination of the Dolphins and Rams, even though the latter team had a bounty out for OBJ. In the midst of this, your coach was fired. Your emotions were apparent. The man who you loved like a father was no longer there. And despite not investing on the OL, the GM spend over 200 million dollars on the defense for 2016 season - and it initially worked. The defense dominated. OBJ was carrying the offense and we went 11-5. And made the playoffs again. Where you went into GB again and dominated. Unfortunately, three TDs were dropped. The defense was hampered with injuries in the secondary, and we couldnt overcome a hot Rodgers and we ultimately lost.

The last 2 seasons of your career were very forgettable. Changes were made from GM to HC. You were benched unfairly ruining one of the greatest streaks in football history for a castoff. You were blamed for everything within the organization. People and fans said you were done. You couldnt play anymore. I think those people misunderstood. You couldnt play for what has now become an inept orgranization. Too many draft pick busts, too many players more concerned with themselves than the team. The New York Giants that you grew up as a player with was no longer there. The guys who bled blue now either bleeded green for money or didnt bleed at all. The term "true Giant" basically no longer exist. You lost a lot of games. You get hit a lot. You missed passes. People of your own fan base had been calling your departure for years. But you kept playing. You kept helping the other QBs. You kept working. You were benched and the first thing you did was go to those QBs and help them. team over player - always your mantra.

You were given two games this year before the staff realized this team was going nowhere. No reliable WRs and a terrible defense you were straddled with. On the day you learned you were benched, the first thing you did was go downstairs and help Daniel Jones. You didnt demand a releae. You didnt demand a trade. You went to work like you have for the last 16 years.

Eli, I have no problem saying you are my favorite athlete of all time. Your record is .500 as a starting QB, and it doesnt matter to me. The way you have handled the ups, downs, and everything in between is something all aspiring players and kids should look up too. You were voted man of the year once and it could have been more. To you, it was never about the accolades or personal achievements. It was always about the team - something that is lost on the modern day athlete. You never once threw a coach or player under the bus - despite some coaches and teammates doing it on a weekly basis to me. You were a great football player but always a better person. The Giants lost more than just a starting QB this week.

Giants football will always be a part of my life, but it will be hard realizing that the best part of it is now gone. I thank you Eli Manning. The team, the town, the fans, and the sport will miss you. Even if most do not realize it.

[MightyGiants]

Well done, Dale   

[kingm56]

If you have time to read that post, I envy you!

[MightyGiants]

If you have time to read that post, I envy you!

It was lengthy no doubt.   I figured if he took the time to write it, I could take the time to read it.  I have no doubt this post means a lot to Dale.

[AP44]

Believe it or not, this was the short version.

I make no bones about it. Eli is my favorite athlete ever. From the time I was 23 years old up until now, I look forward to every football Sunday. I loved the player, loved the person more. I am an old school person. The modern day athlete wanting to teammate up with friends, calling out teammates and coaches, demanding trades or to be released - its not my cup of tea.

The Eli Mannings of the sports world are becoming fewer and fewer. Showing admiration for him should be appreciated, not looked down upon. We may never see another QB like Eli ever again. I am hoping Jones is the goods - but there are definitely no guarantees in life.

[kingm56]

It was lengthy no doubt.   I figured if he took the time to write it, I could take the time to read it.  I have no doubt this post means a lot to Dale.

That

[dflogan]

I did read it all, and think it was an excellent post!

I feel much the same way about Eli -- and, having lived through the entire Phil Simms era, I feel the sense of loss even greater. 

I agree it

[TONKA56]

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[weeze]

 My older brother Drake and I both have official Eli Manning Citizen Eco drive watches. Blue face with a re number 10 up there at 10 o'clock of course.
  That watch will always stay with me.
'

[AZGiantFan]

I named my cat after him, and no matter how well DJ does, that won't change.