All I can say is, he better be worth it. He better play well from day one and make only a few "rookie" mistakes. He better "learn the system" and learn it fast. He better put up or shut up. And he better be ready to play quarterback in the New York/NJ region and for all the pressure and media attention that comes with it.
Because the guy asked for it. He acted like he was special and deserving of special treatment in the NFL draft. So he better be a special player NOW, not five years from now. All the other draftees are basically happy to be selected in the draft, never mind be selected in the first round, never mind be chosen as the first overall pick. I can pretty much assure you that Mr. Irrelevant is pretty happy right now just because he made the cut [for now].
But not Eli Manning. He's a bit spoiled. He knew he'd probably be the first pick in the NFL draft this past weekend, and he knew that the San Diego Chargers had that pick. Young Mr. Manning decided the Chargers weren't good enough for him, so he got his mommy and daddy to join him in telling the Chargers not to pick him. He didn't even ask them to pick and trade him. He had the gall to suggest that they not pick him at all.
Here was the Manning message: Don't pick Eli in the draft. If you do, he won't play for you. You suck so much that he'd rather sit out than play for your team. So just don't pick him.
He's so important that a team should give up the player most wanted in the draft and take the next one? He's such a great player that he has this kind of power in the NFL, of which he's not even an active member yet? He's such a MAN that he lets his parents be involved in the job negotiations? Can I have my mother call my next prospective employer and make demands for me?
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Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Damn fine post, bhw. Personally, I think Eli is over-rated. But time will tell...
2 - bhw
Thanks, RJ. I get a little passionate about my team. 8-)
3 - RJ Elliott
Oh, me too! :-]
I think the Detroit Lions (MY team) made some terrific moves in the draft:
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2353876
They added a great wide receiver and an speedy running back. Joey Harrington now has two young, talented WRs to throw to (Charles Rogers and Rookie Roy Williams) as well as a quality RB to hand it off to (Rookie Kevin Jones).
And don't forget about CB Dre' Bly!
Hell, we might even break .500 this season... ;-]
4 - bhw
Yeah, I read that the Lions did well in the draft. I don't think the Giants did. I think they wasted this year's pick and the two for next year. I have that sinking feeling .... But I'll be happy if Eli proves me wrong!
But unless he turns into a hall-of-famer, he'll be a disappointment. That's a tough standard to meet.
5 - RJ Elliott
Yep. Unless Eli winds up wearing a SB ring, he'll be viewed as a professional failure. And that's exactly what he set himself up for.
Same for his brother, too...
(And you're right; Peyton DOES seem to choke in the bog ones...)
6 - bhw
The thing that kills me is that I live in New England, where the Patriots have won two Super Bowls with a late-round pick as their quarterback. I think he was taken in the sixth round.
So I have to live up here and hear all about Tom Brady, blah, blah, blah while the Giants go after Manning and give up future picks.
7 - RJ Elliott
Er, "big" ones... :-/
8 - RJ Elliott
Yeah, the QB position is hard to figure. Kurt Warner was plucked from NFL Europe. I think Warren Moon was a CFL QB for a while...
9 - visualsimplicity
Yeah and Jeff Hostettler was a back up QB.
10 - bhw
Egggggzactly.