No he wasn't and most felt he was drafted that high b/c of his last name. he wasn't even the consensus #1 QB that draft(and as it turns out isn't the best QB from that draft). Eli generated buzz b/c A) his last name is Manning and B)the SD controversy
Do I need to list all the prospect rankings from 2004 as of the draft, ALL of which had Eli #1? Think about it. That draft had Eli ranked #1. It had Roethlisberger ranked somewhere from 4 to 10. It had Rivers ranked in the late teens to early 20's. That was almost from the combine onwards although Eli was #1 on everybody's 2004 board from about the middle of his senior season onwards.
He comes closest. He was another big trade up to the top of the draft. Eli was the next big prototypical QB though. Vick was new business, a new kind of QB that everybody wanted to see in action but nobody knew if he'd be a star. He was a lot like Cam Newton but a bit more established as a value when he came out.
A) they were wrong b/c ben is the best QB from that draft and B) there were those that didn't think Eli was #1.
Whether they were right or wrong doesn't matter. The facts are that Eli was widely seen as the best QB prospect to hit the NFL since his brother and all the action at the top of the draft reflected that. Two teams effectively picked him #1 overall since the Chargers took him and then the Giants overloaded a deal to trade for him after the fact.
thats debatable. i can tell you this eli was far higher rated than ben coming out. i remember watching ben in college and thinking he would be a great pro and being a bit disappointed he wasnt thought of as highly as he should have been. but he wasnt they have both won 2 superbowls and both made clutch plays for their teams. i would take ben but it wouldnt be by much. and thats before i would factor in the fact that ben is a jackass and his style of play doesnt lend itself to him being as good for as long.
I disagree, there wasn't a clamoring for him in 2004. Most felt his name got him the top spot and I am sure it helped. For years teams had been reaching at the top of the draft for QBs, most felt it was another like that. The only reason ben was lower was b/c he was from a small school and that scared some people.
Eli was a nice prospect but I wouldn't go as far as to say once every 5 years kind of prospect. Carson Palmer the year before probably had similar draft grades. He had the prototype size, had the strong arm, and was coming off the big Senior campaign.
if i remember correctly he told san diego he would not go there. how many guys can say you know what i am not going there? the giant gave up the number 5 pick, a third rounder a first the next year as well as a fifth rounder. thats a pretty hefty ransom for a guy who was only getting by on his name. id have to say you are incorrect on that one junc. he was gone after and was drafted first for a reason, he was considered the best qb coming out that year. 01 had vick and brees 02 david carr, joey harrington and patrick ramsey 03 carson palmer and david leftwich 04 rivers, roethlisberger and jp losman 05 alex smith, aaron rodgers jason campbell. let me remind you rodgers was drafted 1 spot ahead of campbell 06 vince young, matt leinart and jay cutler i dont remember any of those guys creating the buzz of eli manning.i didnt personally like him coming out of ole miss but i was one of a few as everyone had him at the top of the board. i am sure his name helped but his play didnt bring him back down from the top.
Junc, I am not trying to be a dick but why is it Eli was carried by his D and thats your argument against him. But when people on this board say Mark was carried by the run game, o line, and D we are all wrong?
I always say the d led the way for us, I think mark and eli were similar which is why I think if you switch the QBs you get the same results. Both played very well but the play of the defenses/STs dictated who won and lost
