Chuck Pagano: Eli Manning 'obviously' a Hall of Famer

When New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese looks at Eli Manning he sees a quarterback who has been too cautious during the first half of the season. Terry Bradshaw sees a guy who isn't as good as Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano sees a player headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Eli [Manning] is obviously going to end up in the Hall of Fame with his brother one day. He is one of the elite quarterbacks in this game," Pagano said during a Wednesday conference call. "If you don’t pressure and you can’t get pressure on him or do some things to disrupt the timing and rhythm of that offense that [offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo] is running over there now, then [Manning] will rip you to shreds. He can make all the throws and he has great touch and great vision and does a great job controlling safeties and people with his eyes. There isn’t anything that he hasn’t seen from a defensive standpoint."

So, of course, feel free to weigh in on the 'is Eli a Hall of Famer' question. We've done that before and I'm sure we will do it again.

Pagano, though, didn't just sing Manning's praises. He made the 3-4 Giants sound like an unbeatable juggernaut.

"What I see is a really good football team and a really well-coached football team in all three phases. I’ve got the utmost respect for coach Tom Coughlin and the entire staff there. He does a great job, he has done a great job forever, hold him in the highest regard," Pagao said. "You’ve got a defense that’s got a bunch of game-wreckers upfront, the front seven, that is going to be very, very difficult to block. Those guys still can bring it and cause problems from a protection standpoint. Got guys at every level that can make plays offensively. Eli Manning is playing really good, he is managing things; he is taking care of the football. Running game is going; I know they have a couple of injuries, that is the National Football League, like we do. Those young guys, guys are stepping up and stepping in. Like I said, the play of the tight ends and the young runner is doing a great job. Special teams, I know they are up there in a couple of categories, Josh Brown is doing a great job and Steve Weatherford, their coverage units, their returners are dangerous. All three phases, you see excellent play."

So, how is it that the Colts are a 3-point favorite?

Grid View

• Bummed after loss to Dallas Wesley Hitt [Getty Images Sport]
• During the loss to Dallas Ronald Martinez [Getty Images Sport]
• With Jason Garrett after Week 7 loss to Dallas Wesley Hitt [Getty Images Sport]
• Running for a first down against Dallas Wesley Hitt [Getty Images Sport]
• Face down during loss to Eagles Evan Habeeb [Getty Images Sport]
• Ouch! Crushed during loss to Eagles Evan Habeeb [Getty Images Sport]
• After losing to Philly Week 6 Evan Habeeb [Getty Images Sport]
• Smiling after a Week 5 win over Atlanta Jim McIsaac [Getty Images Sport]
• During a Week 5 win over Atlanta Jim McIsaac [Getty Images Sport]
• After running for a Week 4 touchdown against Washington Rob Carr [Getty Images Sport]
• During a Week 4 win over Washington Patrick Smith [Getty Images Sport]
• Smiling with fans after routing the Redskins Patrick Smith [Getty Images Sport]
• All smiles after beating the Texans Week 3 Jim McIsaac [Getty Images Sport]
• Interacting with fans after beating Houston Week 3 Alex Goodlett [Getty Images Sport]
• Hanging his head during Week 2 loss to Arizona Alex Trautwig -- Getty Images Sport
• Eli Manning and Ben McAdoo during loss to Cardinals Week 2 Jim McIsaac [Getty Images Sport]
• After Week 2 loss to Arizona Jim McIsaac [Getty Images Sport]
• During Week 1 loss to Detroit Joe Sargent [Getty Images Sport]
• Frustrated during Week 1 loss to Lions Joe Sargent [Getty Images Sport]