What A Family Heritage
 

March 23, 2005 -- Truth be told, Eli Manning's rookie season was so tough that, at times, even his dad couldn't watch.
When Manning and the Giants played at Baltimore on Dec. 12, Archie Manning was planning to watch the game on TV. But knowing that the Giants were in the midst of an eight-loss tailspin and knowing how staunch the Ravens' defense was, he decided against seeing the punishment.

"I knew how that game was gonna go — not to discredit anyone on the Giants," Archie Manning said of Big Blue's 37-14 loss. "They were struggling; Eli was struggling.

"I got up that morning, I told my wife, 'I can't watch this.' I went to Houston to see the Colts play.

"I told my wife, 'Call me if there's anything good.' And she never called."
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i bet there were many many games archie's daddy couldn't watch! he was sacked 43 times in a 14 game season in '72 and he could run.

What A Family Heritage
 

I guess in that case no news was bad news.

What A Family Heritage
 

I think ELI will be just fine...they are building that team, his biggest problem was pitching a hissy to not play in san diego...which would\'ve had the same record regardless of the quarterback I think.

What A Family Heritage
 

I think an important attribute to his success will be the amount of dedication the Giants show him, and they have shown him they believe in him, and his abilities...

It\'s all in his corner now, He has the tools to succeed, and the support of his employers...and fans..He has a Legacy to live up to, and all the potential to do just that...

I bet Ole\' Archy would watch him if He were suited up in Black and Gold...

What A Family Heritage
 

Just think -- Eli could have been in san Diego -- a team that is loaded with draft choices -- that is moving upwards and instead he is playing for a team on the downside. Talk about your wrong moves.

What A Family Heritage
 

Isn\'t that ironic..i cant stand Eli for what he pulled, couldn\'t have happened to a better guy!!!! :xxrotflmao:

What A Family Heritage
 

Well, let\'s think about this thing for a second. Like baronm said, SD probably would have had the same season whether they got Eli or Rivers, because Brees would have still been their starter. After the year that Brees had, would Eli be looking at being in SF now? At least in NY he has been given the job, and now it is put-up or shut-up time. NY will be spending the money to build a team around him, a lot like Indy had to do for Peyton. I don\'t think this story is quite over yet. It is also possible that SD\'s season was a fluke...time will tell.

What A Family Heritage
 

Actually I am not sure that is true -- Rivers was going to be the designated starter but he held out giving Brees the chance. SD didn\'t want to pay Rivers money like a number one which he was asking -- they probably would have signed Eli and he would have started. Now we do not know the result but with the running game SD had -- the coaching and the defense my guess is that Brees would never have gotten his chance to shine with SD>