In the second practice of the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, Eli
Manning completed 10-of-11 passes in the second two-minute drill of the
day and, according to the official NFC pool report, looked especially
sharp.
Certainly Manning has faces greater obstacles than his own starting defense in a practice situation, but there is a strong feeling that he is at the top of his game. Of course, Manning put an indelible stamp on his career by leading the Giants to an upset of the Patriots four years ago in Super Bowl XLII, earning MVP honors for directing the game-winning touchdown drive.
Since then, Manning has been a solid quarterback, but he took a step back last season with a career-high 25 interceptions. Manning cut that figure to 16 this season, and he’s probably never going to be a low-interception quarterback given how frequently he throws the ball downfield.
Four years ago, Manning entered the Super Bowl clearly as the second quarterback, but he arrives this time closer to Tom Brady’s level, establishing himself as a true franchise quarterback who elevates those around him. If he adds a second Super Bowl victory—and a second Super Bowl victory against Brady—Manning will not only become the first Giants quarterback to play and win two Super Bowls, but he will vault himself into consideration for Hall of Fame status, not that he is anywhere close to retiring.
Certainly Manning has faces greater obstacles than his own starting defense in a practice situation, but there is a strong feeling that he is at the top of his game. Of course, Manning put an indelible stamp on his career by leading the Giants to an upset of the Patriots four years ago in Super Bowl XLII, earning MVP honors for directing the game-winning touchdown drive.
Since then, Manning has been a solid quarterback, but he took a step back last season with a career-high 25 interceptions. Manning cut that figure to 16 this season, and he’s probably never going to be a low-interception quarterback given how frequently he throws the ball downfield.
Four years ago, Manning entered the Super Bowl clearly as the second quarterback, but he arrives this time closer to Tom Brady’s level, establishing himself as a true franchise quarterback who elevates those around him. If he adds a second Super Bowl victory—and a second Super Bowl victory against Brady—Manning will not only become the first Giants quarterback to play and win two Super Bowls, but he will vault himself into consideration for Hall of Fame status, not that he is anywhere close to retiring.
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