Content provided in partnership with

The crown prince of the NFL: Eli Manning looks like he's 15, but he has the world at his fingertips

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005 by Joe Buck

I cannot imagine what it's like to be Eli Manning. Can it be any fun?

Think of the pressure this guy is under every time he steps on the field. Being a member of the NFL's royal family has to make each mistake hurt just a little bit more. Not only was his father a beloved figure, but his brother is now the golden boy of the league. Peyton has positioned the Colts as the odds-on favorites to win Super Bowl 40, he does the best sports-themed commercials on television (for NFL Sunday Ticket), and he still looks like the wholesome kid across the street who could sling a football into your mailbox from his bedroom window.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

Now comes little bro Eli. He didn't want to play in laid-back San Diego. His dream team of handlers (his dad, brother and agent) helped orchestrate a draft-day deal to New York. Archie and Peyton didn't have to face pressure like that. In my mind, they put him in either the best of the worst spot possible. Succeed there and the greatest city in the world is your oyster. Lose there and it can choke the life out of you. And I thought being Jack Buck's kid in this business was difficult!

I believe the jury is still out on Eli, who looks like he is all of 15 years old. Very few teams have the weapons the Giants boast. Tiki Barber is every bit as good as the guy Eli's brother hands it to in Indy. Receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer combine with tight end Jeremy Shockey to give New York the tallest, most athletic pass catchers in the NFL. Good thing for Eli because up until now he hasn't displayed a very accurate arm.

The reality for the Giants is they will go only as far as the kid can take them. They have as much talent as any team on offense and a defense that is harder to get through than an episode of HBO's Rome. Pack a lunch.

Early this month, we were all transported back to 1993. There was no need for a DeLorean of a flux capacitor, lnstead all it took was a battle for first place in the NFC East between the Cowboys and Giants. For many, it was reminiscent of that final weekend fight for the division on that Sunday way, way back in the 20th century.

In just his second year, Manning has shown an amazing ability to bring his team back in the final 2 minutes of a game. He has taken out the paddles to resuscitate his team with the clock winding down four times, but only against the Broncos did his efforts result in a win.

Look, there is no dominant team in the NFC this year. The Giants can get to the Super Bowl, and might indeed have a date with big brotber's team, if little Manning operates during the first three quarters as well he has in the fourth. He is a great guy who is easy to root for.

Go ahead, Eli, have it all: great theater tickets, the special table at Orso, hot dates with supermodels--it's a]l there for the taking. As far as the Manning "royal family"--let Peyton be the king of Indianapolis; you can be the new prince of New York.

The crown prince of the NFL: Eli Manning looks like he's 15, but he has the world at his fingertips

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005 by Joe Buck

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Business

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports