2011 NFL Thread: The Lazarus Season - Part 8

[Ness]

That's another thing...When a QB wins a Super Bowl it solves everything and the aura of mediocrity is automatically gone. Now Eli is elite...

Any QB can go hot in the playoffs

Well I think Eli has been elite this season personally. That team still has a chance to go to the playoffs amazingly. They wouldn't even be close without Manning. He's also been brilliant in the 4th quarter this season. And he's gotten a lot better since he won the Super Bowl.

 

[Hound55]

I'd agree with that.

Personally, I think this season's the most impressive notch in his career, even moreso than the Superbowl win. Because he's actually looked solid, rather than riding that amazing pass rush they had that year, and some (a lot) lucky breaks.

As for whether he's elite or not (*sigh*, back on this old chestnut) I'd say "No" and that there's only been three "elite" QBs this year.

Rogers, Brady and Brees.

With Manning taking that next tier with guys like Roethlisberger and Rivers, who's another guy who has disappointed this year and dropped a tier.

 

[TheIncredibleSk]

Eli has been elite this year and has a ring. To me, he's a elite QB.

 

[Hush]

Had a great Sports Memorabilia related Christmas! I was given a Brady Jersey, Patriots snow hat and baseball shirt. Sooooo awesome!

 

[Immortalfire]

No one gave me anything team-related this year

 

[Themanofbat]

I'm sure we can dig up an old Thrashers jersey somehwere...

 

[Themanofbat]

Eli Manning is NOT an elite quarterback...

 

[SpideyInATree]

Well, what would make Eli Manning NOT an elite quarterback?

 

[Kane52630]

No one is an elite quarterback.

 

[Immortalfire]

I'm sure we can dig up an old Thrashers jersey somehwere...

I still have one, thank you.

 

[StorminNorman]

Meh, I've been saying all year he's had an off season, isn't playing up to his own standards. However, I place a sizable chunk of that on Cam Cameron's terribly predictable play calling that has facilitated Joe's limited options turning to bad decisions. When you don't run the ball when you have a beast in the backfield, it handicaps your QB & gives the D the added luxury of a cheat sheet.

Agreed. You guys needs to get Josh McDaniels.

 

[SpideyInATree]

No one is an elite quarterback.

So, someone like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees wouldn't be an elite quarterback? Why not?

 

[Kane52630]

Because that word "elite" doesn't exist.

I've heard that word thrown around so many times that it's become meaningless to me.

 

[Erzengel]

Well, what would make Eli Manning NOT an elite quarterback?

Eli has a superbowl ring was the MVP and the last 2 season, he's thrown for over 4,000 yards, and this year he's almost at 5,000 yards. This year especially, the team is being put on his shoulders despite a running game that's almost last in the league.

They were discussing 2 categories on the radio the other day. One was Number 1 QB NFL Draft picks, and which ones panned out for teams. Essentially they had the Mannings, Elway, Aikman, etc. as ones that worked out and Russell, Carr, Couch etc. as ones that didn't. And obviously the last few years Stafford, Bradford and Newton where it's too early to tell.

Then they discussed the Superbowl winning teams over the past decade and outside of Dilfer, it was pretty much the consensus that you really need a solid QB.

Living in NY, where I have to hear how Sanchez vs. Manning. Or have to hear how great Romo is and after he costs his team another win, that he really needs to turn the corner, blah, blah, blah. I really think Eli is vastly underrated.

 

[SpideyInATree]

Well, the word elite does exist but I get what you're saying.

I think you can throw that around with certain players though.

 

[SpideyInATree]

Eli has a superbowl ring was the MVP and the last 2 season, he's thrown for over 4,000 yards, and this year he's almost at 5,000 yards. This year especially, the team is being put on his shoulders despite a running game that's almost last in the league.

They were discussing 2 categories on the radio the other day. One was Number 1 QB NFL Draft picks, and which ones panned out for teams. Essentially they had the Mannings, Elway, Aikman, etc. as ones that worked out and Russell, Carr, Couch etc. as ones that didn't. And obviously the last few years Stafford, Bradford and Newton where it's too early to tell.

Then they discussed the Superbowl winning teams over the past decade and outside of Dilfer, it was pretty much the consensus that you really need a solid QB.

Living in NY, where I have to hear how Sanchez vs. Manning. Or have to hear how great Romo is and after he costs his team another win, that he really needs to turn the corner, blah, blah, blah. I really think Eli is vastly underrated.

Oh, I kind of agree about Eli Manning. I was just asking more for some of the posters who were saying he's not. Just curious as to what qualities that he shows that makes him not that way.

Right now he's not playing the best football but when it comes down to it he can win the game for them and a Superbowl ring usually helps add to that as well. Especially beating a Patriots team that was undefeated coming into the Superbowl. They were replaying that game on Christmas too but the Giants defense really had a heavier hand in that than the offense.

 

[Immortalfire]

Because that word "elite" doesn't exist.

I've heard that word thrown around so many times that it's become meaningless to me.

You're an elite poster in this NFL thread.

Or are you?

 

[Kane52630]

Nope.
:')

 

[Erzengel]

I'm an Elite Poster on SHH period.

 

[Matt]

Eli is underrated. Eli is not elite. Eli is at the lower end of the top ten. But really, with 30 starting QBs, is being in the top 1/3 really elite? You have to draw the line. If 33 % are elite, then you are probably defeating the purpose of the term, elite. IMO, the top three/top 10 % would qualify as elite and that would be Rodgers, Brady and Brees (in no particular order). Now I suppose the argument can be made for top 5 (I personally would throw in Rivers and Roethlisberger). Eli is very good this season. He is not as good as guys like Rodgers, Brady and Brees. Not even on his best day and their worst. Thus, he is not elite.

And if you want to get really picky, he is the worst starting quarterback of his draft class alone, so what does that say?

 

[Erzengel]

I think Eli is a solid 8 but he was pushing 9 this Season, obviously one of better if not best seasons statistically.

 

[Matt]

I'd rate him a 7 on average, an 8 at his best. Keep in mind, last season he threw 25 interceptions. This year he's thrown 16. There is a lot of upside to Eli Manning, but at this point in his career, he shouldn't be throwing as many picks as a rookie would. That alone keeps him from being "elite," IMO.

 

[Erzengel]

As someone who watches all the Giants games, a good portion of those interceptions were the fault of the receivers more than Manning. See it a lot this season, a lot of catchable balls.

 

[Matt]

As someone who watches all the Giants games, a good portion of those interceptions were the fault of the receivers more than Manning.

I never really buy into that argument when it comes to any quarterback. It is one thing when the QB throws a perfect pass, it bounces out of the receiver's hands and into the defender's, but how often has that happened? Even if the receiver's route is off or the receiver isn't accounting for a defensive back, it is the job of the quarterback to see that and respond accordingly.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

I agree with this notion where Eli is not elite, but just dangling out of that zone.

I only classify Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and possibly Big Ben as elite.

As great as Eli has been in recent memory, he's struggled and been inconsistent.

Anyone remember his first three years in the league? Giants fans were already questioning whether or not Eli was a bust, and the NY media was absolutely brutal towards him.