Would you trade Eli Manning for ... ?

by Ed Valentine on Jul 19, 2007 7:10 AM EDT in News Comment 22 comments

Let's play a little game. I'll call it the "Would You Trade Eli Manning For ..." game.

Here's how we'll play. I'll name several young quarterbacks who are at roughly the same stage of their careers as Eli. I'll give you my opinion as to whether or not I would trade Eli straight up for that quarterback, then you give me yours.

I'd love to hear from fans of some of those other teams who end up being mentioned, as well as other SB Nation football bloggers.

So, let's get started.

Would you trade Eli Manning for ...

• Tony Romo? No. Romo's star might be shining brighter right now, but I still believe when it's all said and done Manning will be the better player.

• Jason Campbell? No. The folks who follow the Redskins will tell you this guy is going to be a star. There isn't enough evidence yet for me to make this deal.

• Ben Roethlisberger? Yes. Ernie Accorsi should simply have drafted Big Ben instead of trading for Eli. This would fix that mistake.

• Philip Rivers? Yes. Rivers was the 3rd QB in that 2004 draft, and the Giants actually drafted him and traded him to San Diego. Right now, he is better than Eli.

• Matt Leinart? Yes. Leinart is the guy who could finally lead Arizona out of the NFL wilderness. The bright lights of New York would not faze him.

• Vince Young? Yes, in a heartbeat. Young is unconventional, but he's a leader and a winner. He would be electric in New York.

• J.P. Losman? No. The Bills QB is developing, and right now is roughly equal to Eli. I believe, though, that Eli will end up having the better career.

• Jay Cutler? No. I went back and forth on this one. Ultimately, he is in the same category as Jason Campbell. I just haven't seen enough yet to justify trading Eli.

• Rex Grossman? No way. The Bears erratic QB makes Eli look like the model of consistency and accuracy. I think what we see now from Grossman is what we will always see -- some big plays, and lots of big mistakes.

• Alex Smith? Yes. I think the 49ers QB is headed for stardom. I'd be surprised if the 49ers would actually do this.

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Ok, I'll give it a try

Romo - No. Same reason.
Campbell - No. Same.
Roethlisberger - No. Overrated. I just don't get why people are so high on this guy. He had the worst QB rating of any SB winning QB & absolutely sucked last year. No way.
Rivers - Yes. Same reason & this one hurts a little.
Leinart - Yes. Same.
Young - Yes, but I'm not totally sold yet. Let's see what happens when defenses catch up to him a little and start hitting him during that weird throwing motion.
Loserman - No. Same.
Cutler - No. Same.
Grossman - No way.
Smith - No, but this is only because I'm not familiar with him. Who has actually watched the 49ers play the last few years?

If I'm going to break them, I'm going to break them both. - LT

by potroast on Jul 19, 2007 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Once again

I find myself in total agreement with potroast. I know absolutely nothing about Smith.

by george cronin on Jul 19, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The one thing I always hold out hope for with

Grossman is that he has the F the world mentality and isn't afraid of anything. That is the main problem I see with Eli, he just seems to care to much what people think and shrink when the pressure is there.

Secondly, screw you all and your NO Friggin Way on trading for Grossman. Look at the stupid numbers.

Manning - 3244 yds/24TDs/18INT/77.0 Rating
Grossman - 3193yds/23TDs/20INT/73.9 Rating

yeah, big difference. So Grossman is up and down, that means Manning is consistently average. Sorry, that ain't going to win you a thing. Plus, Grossman has played only one full year of football there is still hope he can be a great one, what is this Manning's 4th or 5th? You still waiting him to show you something?

by WCG on Jul 19, 2007 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sexy Rexy

I see the numbers and they aren't as bad as you would think. I will give you that much. Problem is, Sexy Rexy makes his mistakes in bunches and costs his team games. I also think he would have a hard time handling New York, where I think he would get crucified if he struggled like he has at times in Chicago.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 19, 2007 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't argue

that he has lost some games with us, but he has also won many for us. He had 7 games last year with a rating over 100. Only other guy who was better was Peyton.

So Rex wins us some and loses us some is that really any different than a guy who so far is pretty much just average?

Just from a fan standpoint I it is more enjoyable to have a 100 yd 1Td 3 INT game if it is followed by a 300yd, 4TD, 0INT game than it is to always have a 200yd, 2TD, 1INT game.

by WCG on Jul 19, 2007 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rex

I'll give you a couple of things: I do like the Rex attitude better and the numbers are pretty close. That being said, I'd still take Eli. As ETVal was saying, Eli is inconsistent within games. He has some great plays and some bad ones, but over the course of a game he plays ok and it makes me think that he'll get over that hump. He doesn't shrink from pressure, as he usually plays his best with the game on the line. Also, the Giants most often lost games last year because their defense was like a sieve. (Note: Eli has only been a starter for 2 full years not 4 or 5).

Rex on the other hand, has great games and then has terrible ones that costs his team games. Their defense is great and they have some weapons. He may get over that hump too, since he's only played the one year like you said, but at this point I would take Eli.

If I'm going to break them, I'm going to break them both. - LT

by potroast on Jul 19, 2007 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smith but not Campbell?

That seems odd. I'd like to hear more of a justification. JC was the better QB last year. Even if we ignore the entire 1:16 TD:Int fiasco for Smith, based purely on 2006 resume isn't JC still the winner?

None of which considers that he was adjusting to a different offensive coordinator for the 5th consecutive time, and was playing in his first NFL games without having any reps with the first team offense.

Hogs Haven

by Skin Patrol on Jul 19, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

JC vs. Smith

Really, it's not a knock on Campbell. I believe that all of you Redskin folks think Campbell will be terrific, and you just might be right. I just need to see more than 7 games before I would be willing to trade Eli to get him. As for Smith, I based my choice on the huge improvement he made from his rookie season in '05 to last season. His completion percentage went from 50.9 to 58.1%, his TD to INT rate went from 1 and 11 as a rookie to 16 and 16 last year and his rating went from 40.8 to 74.8. Those things tell me he is showing rapid improvement and that the upside could be huge. Eli might still be better, but we'll see.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 19, 2007 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

there is something to be said for improvement, I just never understood why any defense of Alex Smith would reference his 2004 season. It's true that he went from historically one of the worst quarterbacks ever to merely a mediocre one. I don't think that suggests "upside", merely it tells us that he's better than Ryan Leaf.

Jason Campbell did better last year than Alex Smith. Given how your approval of Smith is predicated on improvement from year 1 to year 2, wouldn't it be easy to assign that to JC as well?

Hogs Haven

by Skin Patrol on Jul 19, 2007 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leinart

Leinart looked great last year, especially early in the season. His footwork is great even if his arm strength isn't but he sees the coverage like a guy who has played for years.

Roethlisberger doesn't have Eli's talent. He just had a better coach who knew exactly how to get the most out of him.

The league will soon catch on to Vince Young. I think he will fade this year.

Rivers? The rest of the team is so good we really don't know how good Phillip may be.

Grossman? There are probably 15 or 20 quarterbacks in the league better than him.

Cutler? Has potential...may soon be damn good.

Romo? I dislike the Cowboys so much I am not objective about him but I wouldn't trade Eli for him.

Campbell, Losman, and Smith? Of these three Smith seems to have the brightest future.

If I had to trade Eli for one of them it would be Leinart.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 19, 2007 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In agreement

"giant fan since 57" has pretty much nailed this on the head!
I have to agree with just about everything you said.
Leinart: agree to a point. He needs some more snaps to really show what he is about.
Roethlisberger: agree, no exceptions.
Young: I don't know if he would fade, I think teams are going to understand now how he plays. He will improve, but so will the oppositions.
Rivers: totally agree. There team is pretty much stacked. Doesn't matter who you have at the helm.
Grossman: what can be said about him? ummm, agree.
Cutler: agree
Romo: see Leinart, except he may need a to carry some toilet paper when he takes his snaps. Sometimes I thinks he is soo worried that he will get sacked, that he freaks out like he is going to crap himself. Also like Young, the oppositions will learn now how he plays.
Campbell: need to see more snaps.
Losman: the same
Smith: agree
So in all, most of these QBs need more experience to prove they will be good QBs in the NFL. At this point, it is hard to say who is who yet....

by All Day on Jul 19, 2007 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leinart

All the time I watched Leinart play at USC I kept thinking he didn't have a good enough arm and that his receivers made him look good.

I made a point of watching him when he got his first snaps as a pro and immediatly changed my opinion. He broke the huddle and walked to the line like he knew exactly what he was going to do. And he did. He picked up the whole team and instantly they were two notches better. This is even more of an achievement considering the miserable history the Cardinals have had.

Look, none of these guys are bums (well, maybe Grossman) but I still think Eli may outplay most of them this year. I know our offensive line is unproven but the receiving corps has the potential to be the best in the league.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 20, 2007 6:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eli

I think Eli would've been OK in San Diego - his DAD is responsible for this - he should have left it all alone to work itself out

Eli just isn't a NY kinda kid - I don't think Payton would've done well in a Giants uniform either, honest - a lot of times things are just about the break you get

Big Ben got a huge break in getting drafted by the Steelers - it just was the perfect situation for him and he benefitted

I think Rivers may not have done well in NY either. I think Ben would have done OK in NY, but not as well as he's done in Pittsburgh

of the list on this article I think the best QB for NY would be Vince Young, but there's no way in the world Tennessee would consider trading him

what I really think is that NY needs a veteran QB and Eli should be traded to a different team and start over - but to a team which would use him immediately

I kind of feel bad for Eli - I feel like a lot of what's gone on up there is not his fault - send Daunte Culpepper up there and have Eli go rescue the Falcons - I think that would be a good deal for everyone - Daunte's old enough and experienced enough to handle the heat in NY - and Eli would be a breath of fresh air for the Atlanta fans after all they've gone thru with Monster - er, I mean Michael - Vick -and it would put Eli back down South, close to his childhood environment and college environment

by SteelersBigBenFan on Jul 20, 2007 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting perspective

I always thought Roethlisberger would have been a great fit for the Giants. He's a blue-collar type QB, and even though the Giants play in New York they have traditionally been a blue collar kind of team. You are right, though, that Eli would have been better off if Archie hadn't screwed around with this whole deal and had let the kid stay in San Diego.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 20, 2007 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peyton

SteelersBigBenFan....I agree with a lot of what you say, but to me Peyton could make it in any uniform.

Young cetainly looked impressive last year, especially aginst the G-men but I think good defensive coaches will figure out how exploit the part of the game he may have trouble mastering...the head game.

You need to have a great mind as a quarterback and no offense to Vince but the (alleged) 6 score on the wunderlick test will come into play as he struggles to be a star in the NFL. The best quarterbacks in history are quick thinkers and students...guys like Montana, Young (Steve), Manning, Mcnabb, they have that cerebral approach to game that gives them the edge. A lot of their success comes from a constant streaming realization of what the defense is doing and what they are giving them.

The league is littered with the corpses of many who had great arms and legs but couldn't quite master the position...Think about Vick for example. He isn't as big as Young, but he has similar skills. When defenses first encountered Vick he dazzled them with his running and he does have a strong, if not accurate arm. There was talk that he was indefensible, but soon enough defensive schemes were designed that confused him and negated his great running ability.

Bottom line...I want a quarterback who can adjust to any defense on the fly.

ETVal...I like Big Ben but he has that same question mark...So I would take Eli over both of them.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 21, 2007 5:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Arms

Giant fans need only remember Kerry Collins. I can't think of many QBs with better arms(not great legs, of course.) He had a decent career, even made it to a super bowl, but never did quite master the head game.

by george cronin on Jul 21, 2007 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Collins

George, Collins had his 60 minutes of fame aginst the Vikings in the playoffs when we rolled over them 41 to 0 on the way to the Super Bowl. But alas, we had to remove our "victory grins" when we subsequently got our butts kicked by the Ravens.

But you have to admit, Collins was hot that day.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 21, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Collins

He had more than one. In fact, at the time, I thought the Giants should have stuck with Collins instead of trading for Eli (that was Accorsi, looking for a Hall-of Famer.) I thought the Giants biggest weakness the season before they got Eli was the O line. Collins was running for his life too often (tough when you run in slow motion and have a hard time throwing on the move.)I believed if we made the O line a good unit, Collins could take us back to the Super Bowl. The Giants did a good job of improving that line anyway. It could be argued that Collins's subsequent career makes my belief about getting us back to the big game was nothing more than a pipe dream. Then again, he didn't exactly play with contenders after he left the Giants.

by george cronin on Jul 22, 2007 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Intangibles will rule

Looking at the QBs you have named most (including Eli) are what Coach Parcells used to call "just a guy". There are no Ellways or Aikmans or Montanas or Unitises emerging yet. Some have improved and some have hit a wall. It will take another three or four years for the verdict on some. I will say that of Campbell, Romo and Eli the first to win the Super Bowl will be the man. I am not sure any of them can even get there. By far the fewest mistakes by a first year QB on this list were made by Romo but he had the luxury of learning on the practice field for several years.

The real issue for any of these guys is can they lead the team to be better than the sum of its parts? Can they excel in 4th quarter must-score situations? Can they handle the pressure.

by lee3022 on Jul 21, 2007 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Just a Guy."

True. Sometimes these types can rise to heights the super stars never quite reach. For example, the two best QB performances in Super Bowls were turned in by Doug Williams and Phil Simms, neither of whom are Hall-of-Famers.) Of couse, they enjoyed the advantage of not having the Ds focusing on them as they would have on a Marino, Elway, etc.

by george cronin on Jul 22, 2007 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Collins

George...you are right. Collins had some talent. He might be the most accurate passer the Giants ever had. But oh the fumbles, the clumsiness, the total lack of mobility, those are the tinings that stood in the way of his becomming a big star.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 22, 2007 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

get real

Eli will never be half the player Romo will become. Two qb's who know something about football think Romo will become a superstar and i agree.

"I don't see why he shouldn't be one of the best quarterbacks in the league," Esiason said of Romo, 27. "In fact, I'll go as far as to say I expect him to be in the Pro Bowl again this season."

"I think he'll be just fine this year," Gannon said. "He's a very athletic guy, he throws the ball well, moves well and he's got a toughness I really like."

"There is a great upside for this young man," Esiason said. "I love his personality and how he carries himself. He is very confident. I see him being the starting quarterback in Dallas for the next 10 years."

Esiason said his conversation with Romo convinced him the Wisconsin native is bound for stardom.

"I walked away thinking, 'That kid is going to be really great someday,'" Esiason said.

by Terry on Jul 23, 2007 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs