I have to admit there was time during the 2007 New York Giants season that I thought Eli Manning was not going to be the Giants quarterback much longer. After his horrendous performance against the Minnesota Vikings in week 14 when he threw 3 interceptions which were returned for touchdowns, the future for Eli Manning in New York looked bleak. The fans were booing and and radio call in shows were calling for his head. The following week against the Chicago Bears he started off slow again and almost threw another interception in the end zone. It was at this time that I thought maybe it would be best for Eli to leave town. But he managed to rally the team in the 4th quarter and the Ciants prevailed. Even so Eli was still on shaky ground.
Things began to change however in the final week of the regualr season. The Giants were playing the New England Patriots. In all reaity the game meant nothing to the Giants, they had already secured a playoff spot. But the Patriots were trying to become the 4th team in NFL history to finish the season undefeated. The entire Giants team played with a sense of purpose and gave the Patriots everything they could handle. Even though the Giants lost, Eli Manning had a great game and threw 4 touchdown passes. But something greated was happening, Eli Manning was playing with a confidence that he had not shown in his 4 seasons with the Giants.
Eli Manning's confidence carried into the postseason, he outplayed Jeff Garcia of the Buccanneers, Tony Romo of the Cowboys and future Hall of Famer Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers in the conference championship. It was during that game Eli Manning really arrived as Giants quarterback. It subzero temperatures he played like he was home in New Orleans. He didn't flinch and didn'y let the temperature get to him.
Than the Super Bowl, where he lived every boy's dream. He led the Giants down the field and threw the game winning touchdown.
Eli Manning has cemented himself as the New York Giants quarterback of the future.
