Eli Manning and 3 Players Rewriting Their NFL Legacies in 2011

Things change very quickly in the NFL. A player can ruin his career and legacy with a single mistake, but he can also change people's perception of him in a positive way with a great season. 

Not many players get a second chance to prove that they can get the job done at an elite level, but when a player does take advantage of an opportunity to prove their worth, it is quite a story. 

Here are four players that are re-writing their legacies in 2011. 

Eli Manning

Before this season, Eli Manning was viewed as one of the better signal-callers in the league, but not one of those "elite" guys. 

After the stellar year he is having, Manning is making a strong case to be in the MVP conversation. He is covering up a lot of problems on the offensive line and has been clutch in the fourth quarter in his best season yet as a pro.  

Marshawn Lynch

Lynch was always considered to be a good back, but this year, he has established himself as one of the best runners in football. He is the centerpiece of the Seahawks offense and runs with attitude and passion with every carry. 

Maybe its the Skittles, but we have never see Lynch run as well as he is right now. After getting him for just a fourth-round pick from the Bills last year, it looks like this trade was a landslide in Seattle's favor. 

Peyton Hillis

Hillis is rewriting his legacy with the Browns, but in a terrible way. Once a fan favorite, the bruising back has been riddled with injuries, and there is suspicion that he has been sitting on the bench with alleged "illnesses," avoiding injury risk. 

The situation between the Browns and Hillis is far from over, but his stock has plummeted in terms of signing a new deal. 

Alex Smith

Once one of the most hated players among the fanbase and labeled a "bust," Alex Smith has enjoyed a resurgence under Jim Harbaugh. 

He may not be putting up spectacular numbers, but his team is winning and will go to the playoffs. For a quarterback, winning is really the only way to change the perception about you, and Smith has done just that.