Super Bowl XLVI: Eli Manning Can Become Greatest Quarterback in Giants History

It's funny to think that more than five months ago, we were laughing when New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning said he was an elite quarterback in the NFL. Now, he's in the discussion as one of the best in the league and has the chance to become the greatest quarterback in Giants' franchise history.

That statement he made in August was coming off a season in which Manning didn't play so hot, passing for 4,002 yards, 31 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. Not exactly elite by today's standards.

In the 2011-12 season, Manning has strongly backed up his self-assessment, throwing for a career-high 4,933 yards, with 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. One can easily make the argument that without Manning, the Giants wouldn't be where they are today.

Throw in his great playoff numbers and it's getting easier to make the case Manning is a great quarterback.

Manning has already won one Super Bowl for the G-Men, knocking off the then undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. It was one of the most memorable Super Bowl matchups in NFL history and cemented Manning in Giants' lore.

He now has a chance to put himself at the top of his team's illustrious history and can become the Giants' greatest quarterback of all-time with another Super Bowl win over New England.

Manning would become the only quarterback in New York's history to win two Super Bowls, one more than Phil Simms and his Super Bowl XXV replacement, Jeff Hostetler. Despite that Super Bowl win, Hostetler isn't in the same universe as either Manning or even Simms for that matter.

Simms, who by default is considered one of the best in Giants' history, doesn't even sniff the type of numbers Manning has put up in his career and couldn't have even dreamed of having the type of season Manning has put up in 2011-12.

Some will make the case for the old school choice, Y.A. Tittle. Although he was a good quarterback, he never won a championship with the G-Men instantly taking him out of the conversation. Besides, before next year is up, Manning will surpass Tittle's career numbers by far.

Although it isn't really even close at this point, Manning can further solidify his spot atop the list of best quarterbacks in Giants' history with another Super Bowl ring on his finger. Not to mention, his place in the entire history of the NFL will be far better than any of Big Blue's play-callers before him.