Jan 24

Jan 24 Manning Moves On...

3 FEB 2008

3rd & 5, Giants at their own 44-yard line in shotgun formation. There was a mere 75 seconds left in America’s biggest sports stage ever. Eli Manning & the 10-6 Giants found themselves in the most crucial moment any team would have to endure against a near-perfect 2007 Patriots team. With the play clock ticking down, Manning caught the snap & the Patriots pass rush collapsed the pocket in a span of seconds. The 4th-year signal caller found himself in one of the most unfortunate situations a 25-year-old QB could find himself in. What happened next was one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history…

https://giphy.com/gifs/giants-helmet-eli-by9CllBn7ZFoA

"Manning takes the snap, back to throw, under pressure, avoids the rush and he's gonna...fight out of it, still fights out of it, now throws it deep down field, wide open Tyree who... MAKES THE CATCH! AT THE 24-YARD LINE! What a play by Manning!"

-Bob Papa commentating Eli Manning's miraculous completion to David Tyree.

The Giants went on to march down the field as Eli Manning threw a lob pass to the left side of the endzone on a “Sluggo” (slant & go) route to WR, Plaxico Buress… touchdown! A mere 29 seconds left with all 3 timeouts at their own 26-yard line. The 18-0 Patriots looked well, beatable. After an incompletion on 1st down, rookie defensive tackle, Jay Alford sacked Brady for a loss of 10. The final two downs ended with two incompletions towards WR, Randy Moss.

The clock hit 0:00 & the 10-6 Giants had handed Brady/Belichick not only their first loss of the 2007 season, but their first loss in a Super Bowl. The New York Giants were crowned Super Bowl XLII Champs.

*“I think big-that's what my mother taught me. If you think small and accomplish it, what does it mean? Who cares? To me the sky's the limit, and I'm going to try and get there.”*

- *Eli Manning*
**Photo: Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger**

5 FEB 2012

Rematches are great. Revenge is better. Brady. Manning. A narrative you have heard one too many times in regards to Eli’s elder brother, Peyton. Regardless, the Manning brothers have given the so-called “GOAT” some formidable matchups with scars from losses that may never heal…

The site was set in Lucas Oil Stadium, home to then Colts’ Peyton Manning (brother of Eli Manning). 4 years & 2 days later, history repeats itself. The last time the Patriots & Giants were in the Super Bowl was when the two teams played one another in the 2007 season. Brady & Belichick were looking for their first Super Bowl win in nearly a decade as the Giants looked to notch their second title in 4 years… their first coming against none other than the Patriots. This was it for Tom Brady & the 13-3 Patriots. Something that doesn’t happen too often on one of the biggest stages in sports… revenge. Unfinished business was clearly in the atmosphere.

https://giphy.com/gifs/nfl-new-york-giants-ny-3ofT5VhQzHgt1g3qve

With 3:46 left & one timeout in a one-possession game, Eli Manning & the Giants took the field at their own 12-yard line. The rest was history. Once again, Eli’s magic arm struck on the first play of the drive airing out a 38-yard rainbow to Mario Manningham. It was simply poetry in motion. Belichick challenged the play only to be upheld as the Patriots lost one of their three timeouts.

New York marched down into the Patriot red zone & one of the strangest calls in NFL history was upon us. The Patriots found themselves up 17-15 with one timeout remaining. Even if they were to stop the Giants, kicker Lawrence Tynes would’ve nailed a field goal under 30 yards. A type of kick he hadn’t missed in 4 years. Keeping this in mind, Belichick knew he had to buy time for Brady & the offense to respond, so he let the Giants score. Giants’ RB, Ahmad Bradshaw saw what the Patriots were doing and proceeded to stop at the goal line as he turned around, however his momentum carried into the end zone as the Giants took the 21-17 lead. Interestingly enough, Eli was telling Bradshaw to not score, but everything’s meant to happen for a reason.

55 seconds remaining, the Patriots found themselves in a similar situation. Unlike the first time around, Brady completed a pass & found a way to work the Patriots up to their own 49 yard line with a mere 9 seconds remaining. After an incompletion, Brady & the Pats had one last play left in them. A Hail Mary that traveled 51 yards until New York’ defenders knocked it away. It was over. Eli Manning & the Giants stunned the Patriots once again.

“Congratulations on your retirement, and a great career Eli! Not going to lie though, I wish you hadn’t won any Super Bowls.”

***-Tom Brady***
*Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images*

7 Years Later…

The upcoming years were tough for Tom Brady, but it was tougher on Eli & the Giants. Following a second title in 4 seasons, New York notched only one winning season in their past 7 years. Prior to the 2019 season the Giants showed clear indication of moving on from their 2X Super MVP, Eli Manning. Duke quarterback, Daniel Jones was a name that popped up a lot in the Giants draft room. The 6th overall pick acquired via the Cleveland Browns in that questionable Odell Beckham Jr. trade, went on to be used to select none other than Daniel Jones. Eli Manning looked like the clear-cut starter heading into the NFL’s 100th season & a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, changed that. The 6th overall pick was named the Giants’ Week 3 starter against the Bucs. Jones led the Giants to a thrilling 18 point comeback… something Manning has failed to do in his career (0-44 record).

“Daniel Jones loves the game of football, he’s passionate, and I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

***-Eli Manning***
Photo: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A New Era had come to New York. Although a majority of Eli’s final season with the Giants was on the sidelines, he will forever be the Big Apple’s football hero. Little did we know that a draft day trade in 2004 would go down as one of the greatest moves in New York Giant history.

So after 16 seasons, the 4x Pro-Bowler, 2x Super Bowl Champ/MVP, & 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year has hung up his cleats. It’s never goodbye… it’s see you later.