Poor Eli: Week 15
The Eli-haters are back
Posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM"Poor Eli" is a weekly compilation of quotes by both the media and fans about New York Giants quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.
Despite his recent success, negativity and doubt have followed Peyton's younger brother since the moment he was traded from the San Diego Chargers to the New York Giants on draft day of 2004. Regardless of what he does or how well he performs - even in a league that lives and dies by the motto, "What have you done for me lately?" – he is questioned and criticized.
In Week 14, Manning and the Giants hit a rough patch in the road. The sudden buzz saw, known as the Philadelphia Eagles, took it to them like no team had in nearly a calendar year.
Despite the weather, the incorrect routes and the dropped passes, Manning still had a solid game. He completed 48.1 percent of his passes (would have been 62.9 if not for drops) for 123 yards and one touchdown. And while those numbers look rather sad, there's no telling how impressive they would have been had the wide receivers played the game the way they're capable of playing it.
Regardless, when your name is Eli Manning and you play in New York, it couldn't possibly be anyone else's fault. So after two weeks of rapidly vanishing Eli-haters, they have returned in full force after Sunday's "debacle."
Roderick Boone, Newsday
"At this rate, Eli Manning won't be repeating as the NFC's Offensive Player of the Month anytime soon. Not with the type of performance he turned in [Sunday]."
Wallace Matthews, Newsday
"Eli Manning threw the ball poorly, both with and againstthe swirling December winds."
Matthew Berry, ESPN
"Eli Manning: The second-half-swoon trend continues."
Anthony De Rosa, Giants Football Blog
"Eli Manning had a tough day weather-wise to contend with; however, McNabb found a way when Eli could not."
Roget, Kotite's Corner
"Eli Manning is still not very good without a good rushing attack, and especially without Plaxico Burress."
Matt Bowen, The National Football Post
"Eli Manning looked like a rookie playing in December for the first time in his career."
Kevin Sherrington, The Dallas Morning News
"The Giants just lost at home to Philadelphia in a game whereEli Manning looked like the Eli Manning we once knew."
Sujal, Fat Mixx
"Eli Manning is (still) overrated."
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