Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that NY Giants QB Eli Manning is set to sign a 6yr/$97.5 Million contratc extension. The $16.7 million per year average would make Eli the highest paid player in the NFL. Just like when Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb had their huge contracts, the question is being asked again ..... is Eli Manning deserving of the highest salary in football.
An easier question might be 'should Eli even be the highest paid player in his family?' His brother Peyton, long considered arguably the best QB in the game, only makes $14.3 million per year. Only... Geez, I'm getting a headache just typing 'million' over and over again! However, there are other things to be taken into account. Eli is entering the prime seasons of his career. He did seriously cut down on his interceptions last year. And he has a ring.... By the end, he may be worth that money, and maybe he'll be the best QB in football -but I doubt it.
Most of you know that I am a lifelong NY Giant fan. Eli Manning is like Phil Simms. He's a very good quarterback, but not near the best. His arm strength is suspect at times, and he is dependent on a good supporting cast. The Giants were a lot like my Fantasy Football team - through 11 weeks, they looked like worldbeaters. Then Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg, and they fell apart. Burress was the guy that stretched the defense, and helped out the running game. Burress and Amani Toomer are gone. In their place are Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden. None of these guys are Plaxico Burress.
Smith is the possession receiver. Hixon has good speed and height,but is inconsistent. Nicks and Barden are rookies, so don't expect much out of them this year. Maybe Nicks can be longball threat a couple times a game to stretch the D, and Smith and Hixon can become the 6-7 catches a game guys. That's their best hope. The Giants needed an All-Pro WR to replace Burress, but they got cheap, and are instead giving that money to Manning. It looks like the G-Men are following DC's lead, and spending money on something they already had, rather than what they needed....
Manning looked very lost without Burress at the end of last year, he has all training camp to find that guy he trusts, but he might no find him at all. $97.5 million is a lot of money, and when much is given, much is expected - especially in New York, baby...
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4 comments:
9.75 maybe, not 97.5
I hear that you better moe fast if you'd rather have Michael Vick, between the Pack and Al Davis, some interest is stirred up.
They can keep Michael Vick. The guy can't throw...
Mike-if the Raiders take Vick I can see the picketers now at the games. Might be more fun to watch the fans than the Raiders play (opps it already is). Eli probably is worth the big $$$. Like you said he does have a ring there just a few teams in his way (Dallas,Philly,Washington,Phoenix, Carolina,Atlanta to name a few).
A bigger lesson that has yet to be learned is that high dollar qb's do not mean a thing to Superbowl champions, just ask Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. That said the NFC is the Giants for the taking if they can stay healthy and get a little of the necessary luck....teg
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