Filling big shoes

Eli Manning / Marianne O'Leary - WikiCommons

Eli Manning is the franchise quarterback of the New York Giants. He has won two Super Bowls and was named finals mvp with the Giants. He has played with them since his 2004 rookie year..

Manning has faced a lot of pressure to fill the shoes of his elders, namely his father Archie Manning and older brother Peyton. While his dad never pressured any of his sons to play football, they all found their way to it one way or another.

In high school Manning attended the same school as his older brother Peyton, who was the star quarterback of the football team before Eli. There was a lot of talk if [Eli] Manning would be the same as his older brother, but he did not disappoint. He broke and set several records in the Isidore Newman High School’s history. His achievements earned him his own memorial at the school that is there to this day.

Manning has done quite a bit of charity work in his career. In 2007 Manning raised 2.5 million dollars to fund the construction of “The Eli Manning Children’s Clinics” at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. The clinic focuses on cancer treatment for children.

Manning had predicted his brothers success in his quote for his senior yearbook.

"Peyt - We had our fun times, and our serious times (watch out world, you ain't seen nothin' yet.)"

"That doesn't sound like Eli,” said Cooper Manning in response to the senior quote in a 2008 Daily news article. It was a change for the usually easy going Manning, but was true all the same. He went on to great success that he still sees today.

Who deserves the blame for Super bowl XLVI?

Super Bowl XLVI- Flickr- stephen_d_luke

With the New England Patriots in the lead with 4:06 remaining left in the game, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker dropped a 23-yard pass that could have secured the win for the them. As a result of this, the blame of the Patriots loss was placed on his back; however, the pass was overthrown by Tom Brady.

Welker is only 5’9” and had to jump and turn around while sprinting to the pass. Pulling off a move like this is not easy and even though Welker got his hands on the ball, this drop was only a small portion of why the Patriots lost on Sunday.

The Patriots defense failed to do their job and let Eli Manning get the ball down the field to score, but this is no surprise. During the regular season, the Patriots defense was ranked 31st in the league against passing. Even if Welker was not able to make the catch for a first down, Manning was still able to get past the defense to score the game winning touchdown.

This play should be looked at nothing more than a bad pass. Brady’s pass was thrown over the wrong shoulder. A pass like that was not fit for Welker’s size and ability, which is why he does not deserve the blame. The Patriots loss should not be blamed on Welker and the New York Giants were able to make something of their last drive.