Armchair Quarterback: Mannings’ power play unsettling
Well, I hope the Mannings are happy since Eli got his way and gets to play in the Big Apple after all following a draft-day trade.
Silly me. I thought the word “draft” meant the player didn’t have any say in who picks him. I guess when you’re a blue chipper with a name like Manning, you’re just better than everyone else, especially when your daddy goes out and starts throwing out threats.
Hey, it’s not the Chargers’ fault that Archie Manning played for the woeful Saints all those years. And, given this age of parity, there’s no assurance the Giants will outdo the Chargers even with Manning. For him to throw his hall of fame weight around and pepper it with threats Eli would sit out if drafted by the Chargers, goes against the spirit of the game. It put the importance of one unproven player above the league a la John Elway many years ago.
If you will recall, Elway refused to play for the Colts when drafted his rookie season, forcing a trade to the Broncos where he subsequently won two Super Bowls after many close calls. His refusal to play for a certain franchise set a bad precedent, one resurrected by Eli Saturday.
Realistically, the deal was not that tough on the Chargers, it’s just the principle of the matter. I hate that a unproven rookie with a big name was able to make himself more important than the league.
The Chargers actually came out pretty good, getting N.C. State quarterback, Phillip Rivers, who is rated just as high as Manning. They also got a third-round pick in this draft as well as a first and fifth round pick next year. And, with Drew Brees a total bust, the Chargers had to do something in the quarterback department, even though their better move would have likely been to get a veteran out of the free-agent market or even trade for a Kurt Warner who isn’t doing anything in St. Louis. Then the Chargers could have used their pick for someone like Pitt wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who ended up being drafted by the Cardinals. The Chargers are real thin at receiver after the failed David Boston experiment.
Speaking of the Cards, they now have one of the best receiving corps in the league with Fitzgerald lining up opposite super sophomore Anquan Boldin, who had a awesome rookie season last year. The question there is will their quarterback, Josh McCown, live up to expectations. He has weapons other teams can only dream of. The pick there was a no-brainer since Fitzgerald was a ball boy in Minnesota when Dennis Green, now Card coach, was Viking coach. It also helps that the 227-pound Fitzgerald runs a 4.47- 40.
But then, McCown wasn’t the only young QB getting a dream target. Detroit’s Joey Harrington will get a receiver to join last year’s big-time draft pick Charles Rogers with the addition of Longhorn Roy Williams. The Lions traded their original pick to the Browns who drafted tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Hopefully, the young “soldier” will show a little class now, keep his mouth shut and play the game.
Looking at the top seven picks this year, there were really no surprises aside from the Redskins passing on Winslow to get safety Sean Taylor from the Hurricanes. Robert Gallery, offensive lineman from Iowa went second to the Raiders amid rumors he may even be taken first by the Chargers. Miami of Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, lasted until 11th, a little longer than I thought. However, he is now a Steeler where he has a good chance to shine since he’s got a ready-made receiving corps in Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress. Now if they can just get a running back, they may actually be feared again.
However, coming back around to my original thought, as much as I hate to admit it, the number one impact pick of this year’s draft will be Eli Manning. Look for him to do for the Giants what his brother has done for the Colts. But, like Peyton, it will take a few years.