Five Reasons Eli Manning Is Right to Consider Himself Elite

Eli Manning put himself in the same class as Tom Brady in an interview with Michael Kay, and fans and critics haven’t been shy in expressing their disproval.

In the eyes of the media, Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, while Eli is an interception machine. There’s really no argument about who is the better quarterback, but Eli only said that he was in the same class, not that he was a superior QB. Here are five legitimate reasons he shouldn’t be getting so much grief.

5. He's Succeeding with Young Recievers

Outside of the interceptions, Eli’s numbers have been trending upward since his rookie season in 2004. He’s thrown for 4000 yards in back-to-back seasons and threw for a career high 21 TDs in 2010.

The most impressive part about Eli’s constant improvement is that he’s doing it with extremely young receivers. He’s spreading the ball and helping his young group evolve into one of the elite corps in the league.

Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham are putting up excellent numbers and will continue to do so in 2011. Without Eli throwing to them and instilling in them great confidence, their development wouldn’t be as effortless as it has.

4. All Quarterbacks Should Think They're Elite

If you ask any quarterback in the league if he’s elite, he should say yes. To be a starter in the NFL you almost always need to be a winner at the high school and college levels, and beyond. Winning becomes a way of life and it becomes what you expect every time you step on the field. It inflates the ego, and typically for good reason.

Even if you aren’t a Giants fan, you’d be crazy if you wouldn’t want your QB to compare himself to the best guys in the league. It shows that he’s confident and regards himself highly. It shows he has a strong desire to succeed and win and that he’ll stop at nothing to stay on top.

3. The Manning Family Tree

Eli’s father Archie Manning is probably one of the more unfortunate quarterbacks in NFL history. Had he not played behind the brutal Saint’s offensive line of 70s, he could have easily amassed more impressive numbers. In spite of this handicap, Archie was selected to two Pro Bowls ('78 and '79) and completed over 2,000 passes.

Brother Peyton’s career speaks for itself; 11 Pro Bowls, four MVP Awards, and Super Bowl XLI winner and MVP.

When you’re surrounded by such brilliant talent, you can’t help but feel great yourself. Peyton is often in the conversation for best quarterback of all time, and Eli‘s father was highly respected and highly regarded. Both will go down in history as successful signal callers. There’s no possible way Eli wouldn’t envision himself in the same position. 

2. The Interception Numbers Are Inflated

The main reason that Eli is omitted from the NFL’s top-tier is the frequency of his interceptions. However, in 2010 when he set his career mark with 25, 10 of his picks came on dropped or tipped balls by his receivers.

Another reason Eli probably threw so many interceptions was the fact the he was stuck behind a de-facto offensive line riddled with youth and injuries.

There is no question that he needs to learn to make better decisions with the football if he wants to be considered elite, but Eli isn’t entirely to blame for his sloppy 2010 campaign. He could easily shave 15 INTs off his total from last season.

1. Super Bowl XLII Victory

Warren Moon, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly are each considered to be in the upper echelon of great quarterbacks in NFL history. All three are Hall-of-Famers, and all three would likely trade their statistical success for just one Super Bowl win.

Eli in no way has compiled the numbers it would take to be considered a Hall-of-Famer, but he did lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory in 2008. He was also named MVP of the game against arguably the best regular season team in NFL history, the 2007, 18-1 New England Patriots.

Eli knows what it takes to win, he knows he’s amongst other greats such as Joe Montana, John Elway, and Terry Bradshaw; all Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks. However, more importantly, he knows what it takes to carry a team to the promise land and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

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