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Eli Manning
refer to caption
The 2006 President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports
New York Giants
Career information
College:Mississippi (Ole Miss)
NFL draft:2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2007
TD-INT:77-64
Passing yards:11,385
QB Rating:73.4

Elisha Nelson "Eli" Manning (born January 3, 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League.[1] He is the younger brother of Peyton Manning and Cooper Manning and the son of Archie Manning and Olivia Manning.[1] He played college football at University of Mississippi after attending high school at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.

Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. However, a draft-day trade sent Manning to the Giants in return for the fourth overall pick Philip Rivers, a third round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft and the Giants' first- and fifth-round picks in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was the MVP of Superbowl XLII in February, 2008, during which he led the Giants to an upset of the undefeated New England Patriots.

College career

Eli Manning during his tenure at Ole Miss.

Prior to deciding which college to attend, Manning received a call from David Cutcliffe, formerly the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. Cutcliffe had been hired as the head coach at Ole Miss and had previously helped Eli's older brother Peyton improve his game. Upon learning Cutcliffe was now in charge of the Rebel program, the 18-year-old followed his father’s footsteps, and made his way to Oxford, Mississippi.[1]

During his football career at Ole Miss, Eli set or tied 47 single-game, season, and career records. His career numbers include 10,119 passing yards (fifth on the SEC career list), 81 touchdown passes (third on the SEC career list), and a passer rating of 137.7 (tied for sixth on the SEC career list). Manning also led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and a 31-28 SBC Cotton Bowl victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2003. He was invited to play in the 2004 Senior Bowl, but chose not to play.

As his senior year came to a close, Eli won many awards including the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best all-around player, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award, the Sporting News Radio Socrates Award, and the SEC Player of the Year. He was also a candidate for the Heisman Trophy but voters chose Oklahoma's quarterback Jason White (1,481 voting points) to win the award. Eli had 710 voting points making him third behind White and Pittsburgh's sophomore wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.[2]

While at the University of Mississippi, Manning graduated with a degree in Marketing and finished with a GPA of 3.44.[3]

Professional career

2004 NFL Draft

File:Eli Ny post 04.gif
Eli Manning has been a frequent target of the New York Post and the New York media during his tenure in New York.

2004 Season

For the first half of his rookie year, Manning was tutored by veteran player Kurt Warner. After two tough defeats in the middle of the 2004 campaign, first year New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin[4] decided to start Eli against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite several poor performances, Eli finished the season with three successive solid games against the Steelers, Bengals, and Cowboys. On January 2, 2005, playing against Dallas, Eli led the Giants in a last-minute touchdown drive to end an eight-game losing streak with a 28-24 victory.

2005 Season: NFC East Champions

Following 2004, Kurt Warner voided the last year of his contract[5] and Eli was named the starter for 2005. Manning led the Giants to a 2-0 record with victories against the Cardinals and Saints[6], before traveling to the west coast for a test in San Diego. Chargers fans did not forget the snub, and on September 25, 2005 when Eli and the Giants made their first trip to San Diego for a game since that draft day, the crowd booed Manning loudly every time he touched the ball. San Diego defeated the Giants[7], 45-23, but Eli displayed what may have been his most impressive performance of his young career, going 24-41 for 352 yards and two touchdowns[8].

Following his performance at San Diego, Manning returned home to throw for almost 300 yards and a career high four touchdowns against the Rams at Giants stadium in a 44-24 romp.[9] Two games later, he led a brilliant last-minute drive against the Broncos to secure a 24-23 victory for the Giants.[10] The drive culminated in a two yard touchdown to Amani Toomer with 8 seconds remaining.[10] The following week, Manning overcame a weak first half at San Francisco to help his team secure their first official road victory of the season, 24-6. Despite a poor performance at home against the Vikings, throwing four interceptions, he again led his team back to tie the game in the final minutes before Minnesota won on a late field goal.

Eli's second season was largely a success. He finished in the top 5 in both passing yards and touchdown passes, while leading an offense that finished 3rd in the NFL in scoring, with a total of 422 points. It was the most points the Giants scored in a single season since 1963. The Giants won the NFC East with an 11-5 record[11], and went to the postseason.

The one knock on Eli during his first full season was his efficiency. Even though the Giants finished at the top of the NFC East, Manning himself struggled during his first full year as starting quarterback. Eli completed just 52.8% of his passes with a modest 6.8 yards per attempt, producing an unimpressive quarterback efficiency rating of 75.9 (23rd in the league), leading many sports commentators to question his abilities. Manning visibly wore down late in the season. His play fell off, culminating in a poor performance in the playoffs against Carolina[12].

2006 Season

Manning's second full season was reminiscent of his 2005 campaign. He started off playing well and completed over 65 percent of his passes through the first four games. However, he struggled in the second half of the season and his production diminished towards the end of the regular season. After losing a tough game to his brother Peyton and the Colts on opening day[13], Eli and the Giants rebounded from a 24-7 4th-quarter deficit en route to a 30-24 overtime victory over the division rival Eagles in week two.[14]Manning threw for a career high 371 yards in the win with three touchdowns including a game winning pass to Plaxico Burress in overtime.[15] Following a poor performance against Seattle the next week[16], Manning and the Giants responded by winning five straight games including wins over the Redskins, Cowboys and Falcons to push their record to 6-2.[17]

Following this winning streak, key injuries including one to receiver Amani Toomer pushed Eli Manning and the Giants into a downward slide. [18] Playing against the Chicago Bears, Manning started well, but the Giant's offense was derailed by the loss of left tackle Luke Petitgout to a broken leg.[19] Manning was held to only 141 yards passing with two interceptions. Petigout's loss left a gaping hole at the crucial left tackle position, and Manning was unable to repeat his first half success. Manning struggled the next week at Jacksonville[20] and the week after that, a costly interception helped to culminate a huge collapse at Tennessee, with the Giants seeing a 21-point fourth quarter lead simply evaporate.[21] Manning improved the following week, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, but the Giants lost again. Finally regaining momentum, Manning threw three touchdowns in a win at Carolina[22], but then he stumbled badly in the final three games. He threw two interceptions against the Eagles and tallied only 73 passing yards in a game against the Saints. Although the Giants battled back to 8-8 the following week at Washington, Manning completed only 12 of 26 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. The Giants qualified for the postseason and met the Eagles again. Although he did significantly better in this game than the 2005 playoff matchup, completing 16 of 27 passes and two touchdowns, the Giants lost to a last second field goal by the Eagles.[23]

For the year, Manning threw for 3,244 yards, 24 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.[24] He completed 57.7 percent of his passes, a five point improvement from 2005, but he again struggled badly in the second half of the season. Manning finished the season with a mediocre quarterback efficiency rating of 77.0 (18th in the league) thanks to a lackluster 6.2 yards per attempt. He was generally perceived to be a solid quarterback, but he lacked the more notable successes of fellow 2004 draftees Phillip Rivers (for whom he was traded) and Ben Roethlisberger.

2007 Season

Preparation for 2007

Eli Manning trained in the Meadowlands with Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride and new Quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer.[25] For the first time ever, Plaxico Burress[26] and Jeremy Shockey[27] practiced in the off-season with Eli to perfect their timing and chemistry, rather than training in Miami as they did in previous years.[28]

2007 Season

Manning opened the 2007 season with an outstanding personal performance against the Dallas Cowboys, completing 28 of 41 passing attempts for 312 yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception[29], but suffered a shoulder sprain[30] and was removed from the game late in the second half. Although he did play against Green Bay in week 2 while throwing for 211 yards with one touchdown,[31] the Giants defense performed poorly again and the team dropped to 0-2 with Green Bay winning, 35-13.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The Giants defense then shut down the Philadelphia Eagles with an NFL record-tying 12 sacks,[32] holding the Eagles offense to one field goal. The Giants won with a score of 16-3.[33] The following week, Eli overcame a dismal first half to throw for two second-half scores[34] in a 35-24 win over their in-city rivals, the New York Jets.[35]

Following two straight home victories, Manning and the Giants obtained their fourth consecutive victory with a 31-10 defeat of the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome on Monday Night Football.[36] Manning performed well, completing 27 of 39 passes for 303 yards along with a pair of touchdowns while giving away two intereceptions.[37] Behind a dominant defensive effort, the Giants improved to 5-2 the next week with a 33-15 win over the 49ers.[38]Eli played well again, throwing for two touchdowns in the effort. In week eight of the season, the NFL scheduled a Giants road game against the Miami Dolphins on October 28, 2007, in London's Wembley Stadium.[39] Manning only threw for 59 yards in the rain and mud, but he scored the Giants' only touchdown on a 10-yard run.[40] This touchdown was the first in an NFL regular season game that was played outside of North America. The Giants defeated the Dolphins, 13-10, bringing the Giants to a 6-2 record at the mid-way point of the 2007 season.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). New York Giants co-owner John Mara publicly questioned Eli's ability to lead the New York Giants in 2007 but more importantly in the future:[41]

The only thing we evaluate is 'Can we win with this guy?' That's the one thing. When we talk about any player at the end of the season, the No.1 question is 'Will he help us win?' And to take it one step further, 'Can we win a championship with this guy?'

After a week of criticism in the New York media and being outplayed by Tony Romo, Eli had a bounce-back victory versus their conference wildcard competitors the Detroit Lions.[42] Eli managed to throw for 283 yards and 1 touchdown but most importantly, no interceptions in a critical road game.[43][44]

The following week in a 41-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Eli threw four interceptions and had three of them returned for touchdowns. He continued to struggle until the last game of the season, against the 15-0 New England Patriots. With a playoff spot secured, the Giants could have rested their starters for the playoffs, but they instead chose to keep in the regulars and attempt to stop New England's quest for an undefeated regular season. The Giants lost 38-35, but Manning played exceptionally well, completing 22 of 32 passes for 251 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception.

2007 Playoffs

On January 6, 2008, Manning went 20-of-27 for 185 yards playing on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The underdog Giants won 24-14, and Manning had two touchdown passes.

"Eli had a great game today," receiver Amani Toomer said. "He took what was out there and didn't force anything. He doesn't get real excited; there is more than one way to lead a team ... and he showed that today."[45]

On January 13, 2008, Eli led the Giants to an upset victory over the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys, the number one seed in the NFC. For the third straight game, Manning played well, completing 12 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The Giants were the first team to beat an NFC number one seed in the divisional round since the start of the 12-team format in 1990. [46]. This victory secured an NFC Championship berth against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 20, 2008. In the championship game, the Giants beat the Packers in overtime, with a score of 23-20.[47] The dramatic victory secured Manning and the Giants a trip to Super Bowl XLII.[48] This was the first Super Bowl appearance for the New York Giants since 2000.[49]

Super Bowl XLII

On the strength of a late fourth quarter drive led by Manning, the Giants beat the heavily favored New England Patriots 17-14. Manning was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLII and was awarded the MVP trophy following the game. As a result, he and his brother Peyton became the first brother combination to win the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP in successive years.

Awards and Accolades

  • 2001 Conerly Trophy - Best College Football Player in Mississippi[50]
  • 2001 Davey O'Brien Award (finalist) - Awarded to the Nation's Top QuarterbackCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
  • 2003 SEC Most Valuable Back - Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club
  • 2003 Conerly Trophy - Best College Football Player in Mississippi
  • 2003 Mississippi Amateur Athlete of the Year - Jackson Touchdown Club
  • 2003 National Scholar-Athlete Class - Division I-A QB[51]
  • 2003 Preseason All-America First Team by Lindy's and Football Action
  • 2003 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award -Awarded to the Nation's Top Quarterback[1]
  • The Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year Award
  • First Team All-America - The All-America Foundation
  • First Team All-America - Southern Football Weekly
  • Second Team All-America - The Sporting News
  • Honorable Mention All-America - Sports Illustrated
  • SEC Offensive Player of the Year - The Associated Press and the SEC Coaches
  • SEC Player of the Year - The Commercial Appeal and the SEC Coaches[52]
  • First Team All-SEC - The Associated Press
  • First Team All-SEC - SEC Coaches
  • All-SEC - The Chattanooga Times Free Press
  • All-SEC - CollegeFootballNews.com
  • All-SEC - The Commercial Appeal
  • Mississippi Sportsperson of the Year - The Clarion-Ledger
  • SouthEast's Top Offensive Back - Touchdown Club of Atlanta Wally Butts Award
  • Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLII

Eli, his brothers Peyton and Cooper, and their parents Archie and Olivia all appeared in an ESPN This is SportsCenter ad from 2006. In this ad the entire Manning family are touring the SportCenter studios with Peyton and Eli engaging in horseplay behind everybody else. At one point Archie becomes aware of their actions and gives them a cross look - with Peyton pointing at his brother as if to say that he started the horseplay.

Personal life

  • As a child, Eli had great difficulties reading and nearly stayed back in the first grade. He credits his mother Olivia in helping him improve his reading.[54]
  • He is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was named Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2003. [55]Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
  • He is engaged to Abby McGrew,[56] who is studying fashion in New York.[57] They have been together since their days at Ole Miss. [58]
  • Eli's hobbies include antiquing in the off-season with his mother and fiancée.[59]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Eli Manning bio". www.jockbio.com. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  2. ^ Matt James (December 14, 2003). "Heisman Won By A QB For 4th Straight Year". CollegeFootballPoll.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  3. ^ SI.com (January 21, 2007). "ELI MANNING Bio". SI.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  4. ^ Sports Network (January 7, 2004). "Giants hire Coughlin as head coach". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  5. ^ Associated Press (December 30, 2004). "Warner won't be Eli's backup for next year". sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  6. ^ Stephen Edelson (September 20, 2005). "At 2-0, Giants taking baby steps toward bigger things". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  7. ^ "Giants Fall to Chargers, 45-23". giants.com. September 25, 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  8. ^ Michael Eisen (September 25, 2005). "Chargers 45, Giants 23: Inside the Numbers!". giants.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  9. ^ "Giants versus Rams recap". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  10. ^ a b "Giants versus Broncos recap". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  11. ^ "2005 NFC East Final Standings". Team Giants.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  12. ^ "Relax Giants fans, Eli is still the man". AceOnSports.com. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  13. ^ David Porter (September 8, 2006). "Hype aside, Colts game should offer gauge of Eli Manning's progress". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  14. ^ "Eagles can't stop Eli Manning's OT rally". Associated Press. September 17, 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  15. ^ Rob Maaddi (September 17, 2006). "NY Giants 30, Philadelphia 24, OT". AP Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  16. ^ "Seattle 42, NY Giants 30". Yahoo Sports. September 26, 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  17. ^ Joe Pascale (November 12, 2006). "Today's big game: Bears (7-1) at Giants (6-2)". SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  18. ^ Tom Canavan (November 8, 2006). "Giants receiver Amani Toomer out for year with knee injury". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  19. ^ ESPN.com news services (November 14, 2006). "Depleted Giants lose Petitgout to fractured left leg". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  20. ^ "Box Score". USA Today. November 21, 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  21. ^ John Branch (November 28, 2006). "Day After Debacle, the Giants Close Ranks". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  22. ^ ESPN.com (December 10, 2006). "NY Giants 27, Carolina 13". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  23. ^ "Westbrook, Garcia keep streaking Eagles' train rolling". Associated Press. January 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  24. ^ ESPN.com. "#10 Eli Manning QB". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  25. ^ "Giants Name Chris Palmer Quarterbacks Coach author=Michael Eisen". Giants.com. January 29, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-22. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  26. ^ Paul Schwartz (May 9, 2007). "PLAX ARRIVES TO WORK OUT". New York Post. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  27. ^ Steve Serby (May 23, 2007). "SHOCKEY SURE IT'LL WORK OUT". New York Post. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  28. ^ Ralph Vacchiano. "Shockey, Burress no-shows at Giants camp". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  29. ^ "Dallas 45, NY Giants 35". Yahoo Sports. September 12, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  30. ^ FOX Sports (September 11, 2007). "Manning (shoulder) in doubt for Giants". MSN. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  31. ^ ESPN (September 16, 2007). "Favre now winningest QB in NFL history after Packers' win". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  32. ^ Chuck Johnson. "Umenyiora, Giants sack Eagles in record fashion". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  33. ^ "Umenyiora, Giants sack Eagles 16-3". Associated Press. Oct. 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "Giants - Jets". teamgiants.com. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  35. ^ "Giants Rally to Defeat Jets 35-24". Boxxet.com. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  36. ^ John Branch (October 16, 2007). "Giants Coast to Their Fourth Straight Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  37. ^ Michael Eisen (October 15, 2007). "Giants defeat Falcons, 31-10". Giants.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  38. ^ Michael David Smith (October 22, 2007). "Giants Dominate Niners on Both Sides of Ball". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  39. ^ Ernie Palladino. "Giants look for normalcy as they prepare for London". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  40. ^ AP (October 28, 2007). "Giants outlast Dolphins in London fog, mud". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  41. ^ "John Mara and the Giants Sticking with Eli Manning". New York Daily News. 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  42. ^ "Giants Defense Comes Up Big in 16 to 10 Victory". New York Daily News. 2007-11-18. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  43. ^ Larry Lage (November 18, 2007). "NY Giants 16, Detroit 10". Accociated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  44. ^ "Eli Manning Quietly Passes A Big Test". New York Daily News. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  45. ^ Barry Wilner (January 7, 2008). "NY Giants 24, Tampa Bay 14". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  46. ^ AP (January 13, 2008). "Cowboys fall short on last effort as Giants move on to face Packers". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  47. ^ AP (January 20, 2008). "Third Tynes a charm: Kicker boots Giants into Super Bowl". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  48. ^ RALPH VACCHIANO (2008-01-21). "Giants beat Packers in overtime, will battle Patriots in Super Bowl XLII". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  49. ^ Michael Eisen (2008-01-21). "Giants Advance to Super Bowl XXLI". Giants.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  50. ^ David Collins. "Eli Manning's College Statistics & Records". University of Mississippi. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
  51. ^ "2003 National Scholar-Athlete Class Announced". footballfoundation.com. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2003-10-29.
  52. ^ SI.com (2007-01-21). "ELI MANNING Bio". SI.com.
  53. ^ Craig (June 25, 2007). "Eli Manning: I got engaged in Hoboken". NJ.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  54. ^ KAREN CROUSE (January 29, 2008). "Eli Manning Took Cues From Mother". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  55. ^ "National Award Members". Sigma Nu Fraternity. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  56. ^ Stephen M. Silverman (March 22, 2007). "NY Giants' Eli Manning, Girlfriend Engaged". People Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  57. ^ "Eli Manning and Abby McGrew Is Engaged". Celebspin.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  58. ^ "Eli Manning engaged to Abby McGrew". TransWorldNews. October 28, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  59. ^ KAREN CROUSE (January 29, 2008). "Eli Manning Took Cues From Mother". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-29.

See also

Sporting positions
Preceded by 1st Overall Pick in NFL Draft
2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by New York Giants Starting Quarterbacks
2004-
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by NFL Super Bowl MVPs
Super Bowl XLII, 2008
Succeeded by
Incumbent

Template:NFLStartingQuarterbacks

Template:Persondata