When Archie Manning retired from football in 1984, he left the game a seemingly beaten man. He was a legendary college QB at Ole Miss and was selected by the sorry New Orleans Saints with the second choice in the 1971 NFL Draft.
His career was filled with dismal seasons and disappointments. His record as a starting QB over his 14-year career is the worst of any QB with 100 NFL starts.
When he left the game, his story appeared to be over—relegated to calling Saints' games from the broadcast booth. More losing and more disappointment.
But little did anyone know that Archie Manning's story would take such a dramatic upturn.
In 1984, his son Peyton was eight, and his youngest, Eli, was three. They would take the Manning name to the heights that Archie tried to—but could not do. Not that Archie was a bad QB. Quite the contrary. He was terrifically talented QB, but the teams he played for were hapless to say the least.
In 1998, Peyton was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, the Colts have been an elite team, winning more games than any other NFL club over that period, including Super Bowl XLI.
Peyton was the MVP of that game, has won the league MVP twice, and is on pace to set NFL all-time records for TD's and total passing yards.
In 2004, Eli was drafted first overall by the San Diego Chargers. They traded him to the New York Giants on draft day in what appeared at the time to be a lopsided deal in favor of San Diego.
After several years of mediocrity and first-round playoff exits, the youngest son of Archie Manning led his Giants to the most improbable championship run in the 83-year history of the NFL. The Giants won eleven-straight road games, including Super Bowl XLII over the undefeated New England Patriots.
Eli was involved in the play which many are claiming to be the best in SB history. After slipping away from an almost certain sack, Eli fired a pass over the middle to WR David Tyree, who made a circus grab, keeping the Giants' winning TD-drive alive.
Several plays later, Eli found Plaxico Burress in the end zone of for the winning score and was named MVP.
So now, proud papa Archie's legacy is being fulfilled—albeit vicariously through his boys. The three legends travel around the country in the offseason promoting charities and spreading their good fortune.
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3 months ago
Do you think there's a chance the Mannings would ever meet in a Super Bowl? I'd think the Colts have the better shot, but then again, I thought Eli wouldn't get there for another five or six years. Imagine the hype on that one.
from 3 months ago
The Mannings could most certainly meet in a Super Bowl, both teams have the defense to go along with their respective big play makers on offense.. Eli at this point in his career has more wins as a starting QB than Peyton does also
from 3 months ago
I agree with Michael. Things have fallen just right for the Giants. They stuck with Coughlin and he is unquestionably the man in charge. The cancers are falling one-by-one. First Tiki and now Shockey. Strahan came around and finally endorsed Coughlin - but only because of Spags. He's gone now, too. This is a Coughlin team now and I think they will get even better over the next season or two.
The Colts are always in it. Their defense will dictate how far they go. Losing Freeney hurt their chances in the playoffs last year, just like Harrison's injury hurt the offense.
But the Colts are getting Freeney and some others back, had a quiet draft and are flying beneath the radar right now. I see them winning 12 games again. The offense re-signed Dominick Rhodes and stole Mike Hart of Michigan in the 6th round. Don't forget that Dallas Clark is healthy - the team franchised him even - and Anthony Gonzalez is also improving. This is a good team....
In the NFC, people are picking Dallas, but they are making too many headlines away from the field. I like the Giants, Minnesota, Dallas, Philadelphia, Green Bay and Seattle. In the AFC, I like New England, Indy, Pittsburgh, SD, Cleveland and Jacksonville.
3 months ago
Eli versus Peyton, Colts versus Giants in the Super Bowl, that would be like going to heaven for me. This Giants team has historically underperformed when expectations are high and over reached when they were low so I'm glad that the experts are picking them to finish behind Dallas.
But another Super Bowl chance for my Syracuse boys Harrison and Freeney? That would be great, just that it'll suck pulling for them to lose it this time.
3 months ago
I remember having a real soft spot for Archie Manning as a kid. He always seemed to try so hard for teams that just weren't going to win anything, ever. I wish we could have seen the eldest Manning play for a contender during his career. As my mom likes to say, I don't think Peyton and Eli licked their talent off a tree.
3 months ago
How did the draft day deal with the Chargers and Giants seem lopsidedly in favor of the Chargers?
from 3 months ago
I didn't think so at the time, either - but that smug bastard AJ Smith sure did, and so did ESPN and 95% of the continent.
I love saying it because it turns out to be one the best deals the Giants ever made.
3 months ago
good read man. though i disagree with the assesment on shockey. he isnt the cancer, hes the heart of the team. tikki? now that was a cancer. i am tempted to say that buress is more a cancer than shockey, after all the giants were conmsidering a trade for shockey to NO. It is no wonder he is a little miffed, but his attitude shows that he is a competitor. when we werent using shockey last year, we were losing.
cant wait to watch tuck play in strayhans stead. and hope that mike is just pulling a stunt to get out of training camp. the safety postions need to be sured up, and lb need to be figured; though we have a defense that will be able to do it. the giants defense was swarming all over the pats in the SB. i am sure they will improve with tuck too. shockey is a must have TE; he opens up the whole offense, and gives an out for jacobs, and buress.
from 3 months ago
This is like Ocean's 11 - are you in or are you out? Shockey is choosing to be out. If he did not attend mini-camp, I wouldn't call him a cancer. But he showed and didn't participate. Burress is 'holding out', we know what his issue is..money
What's Shockey;s problem? As far as I'm concerned he's a cancer because he's disrupting team operations with his moronic bullshit.....he needs to grow up
3 months ago
Fair enough John, I know where youre coming from, but the Gints were considering, or at least listening to trade offers, and it pissed Shockey off. So what? For all the camps that Strayhan missed, who cares about camp anyhow. NOW Buress wants to renegotiate a deal that was already made...that shounds like "indian giving" to me. Her has a contract through the next two or three years, but now wants to renegotiate? hmmm. I dont like it. But he'll be a Giant regardless. How hard will he play without a raise? We'll see. It's just not right man.
THat being said...its the Giants ownership who "doesnt know if theyre in or out" regarding shockey..as made apparent by their listening to offers. Is that fair enough? In the long run Shockey will stay, and theyll make amends. Maybe give Shockey a raise for the spiting him, and not Buress, the hostage negotiator. Either way, its all about the defense anyhow. That and Jacobs + Bradshaw. Yes, and Buress, but just as much about SHockey too. They all are the Giants, and without all of themcan Eli do it again? Hot topic right there, I will look forward to maybe your doing an article on that one. I think we're seeing problems where they really dont exist, camp matters to rookies trying to learn the system, as made apparent last year, and the yr prior by our "captain"...who I hope is just trying to get out of camp without a fine to pay. Fingers crossed, but I think hes done. Giants are fine, Shockey (pampered kid with a temper) is fine too, as is Buress. Strayhan is a big deal, but easily managed with Tuck...I hope.
from 3 months ago
I wnat Shockey to stay and I want him to produce....but he needs to put the team first for once
3 months ago
I think Peyton is and will always be superior in this sport.
3 months ago
Good article. It was well written. I didn't really enjoy it, but it was still well done. I don't particularly enjoy football writing, anyway.
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