Eli Iron Man-ning
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by Fattony1010
He has spent the first three plus years of this career as a lightning rod for criticism, most of it deserved. Even I, as a Giants fan, can admit that I didn't particularly like they way that Eli became a member of Big Blue. Ever since his drafting, he has taken the brunt of the blame for the team's inability to advance past the first round of the playoffs, many fans look at Eli and see the possibilities of having Phillip Rivers and Shawne Merriman instead, and on top of all of that he has taken a back seat for his first few years in New York to the more veteran and vocal, for better or worse, leaders of the Giants locker room, Tiki and Strahan. No longer. It seems that Eli is set to make a statement to his team and the league on Sunday afternoon against the Green Bay Packers.
Most know that Eli hasn't missed a game since he was named the starter for the New York Giants, which is impressive enough considering the beating he has taken at times behind a generally sub-par offensive line. What most don't know however is that Eli hasn't missed a start in his life since he started playing competitive football. No games in high school. No games in college. No games as a pro. Against the Dallas Cowboys, he suffered an injury to his shoulder that was significant enough to keep him off the field for a crucial drive in the fourth quarter and on Monday the rumors immediately hit that Eli could be gone up to a month. Eli denied it, the Giants denied it, but most of us still believed it. Now it appears to be a real possibility that Eli will be behind center for the New York Giants when they line up against the Packers Sunday afternoon.
Eli has been in a verbal sparring match with Tiki Barber about his leadership through the media. He has dealt with the pressure of the New York media who expect Eli to carry the team despite no help from a defense that seems lost while learning a new defensive scheme. The same defense by the way that let the Giants down at least as much in the second half of the 2006 season as Eli Manning did. Eli has been the starter for the Giants for two years and during those two years the Giants have reached the postseason twice. Despite that, it never felt like Eli was taking a leadership position with his football team. It appears that he is finally ready to take that step. Of course that can all change if he isn't able to go on Sunday.
For all of those Eli haters out there, and goodness know that there are plenty of you. Take off your own team's glasses for a moment, take a step back, and acknowledge the things he has done. Even I, as a Giants fan, recognize the abilities and respect the talents of Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, and even Campbell (who I personally think will be pretty good). Of course, that can all change if he isn't able to go on Sunday.
