Eli Manning doesn't want to go to San Diego

[Young Drachma]

ESPN is reporting that his Dad and agent contacted the Chargers, hoping they'd keep it quiet. But they're blowing up Eli's spot, probably hoping to get more from the Giants.

I can't see them drafting him and having him play there, when its obvious not only that he doesn't want to be there, but that they could still get a good quarterback of the future, plus more which would help them more.

THoughts?

[Bad-example]

Call him Elway Manning

[CraigSca]

Yep, I thought the same thing. Considering how awful the Colts were at the time I probably should be more understanding, but I still hold a grudge against Elway for refusing to be picked by the Colts.

[MizzouRah]

What's all this 'refusal' crap going on? He's about to make a boatload of money, isn't that enough? I hate it when a professional sports player refuses to sign with a team after he's been drafted (yes, JD Drew). Must be nice to make millions of $$$$ AND get to work where you want to.

Only in America!


Todd

[Taur]

What's all this 'refusal' crap going on? He's about to make a boatload of money, isn't that enough? I hate it when a professional sports player refuses to sign with a team after he's been drafted (yes, JD Drew). Must be nice to make millions of $$$$ AND get to work where you want to.

Only in America!
So you prefer the A-Rods with their take the money and screw the fans type of attitude?

Actually, yes only in America can a person have the freedom to decide where they live and where they work. I live and work in Colorado, where I spend most of my off time Skiing and Kayaking. If my boss would show up tomorrow and inform me that I had been transferred to the Death Valley branch I would tell him where he could stick his transfer papers.

So, yes Only in America! can we enjoy the freedom of living and working where we choose!

[Daimyo]

I guess he's not as much like his older brother as I hoped...

[sabotai]

Oh God damn it Ernie Acoursi, take the fucking stud lineman! Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to have an aneurysm thanks to this guy this weekend?

[Hurst2112]

Here we go with another draftee refusing to go where he is told. Sounds like another thread we have here. :D ;)

What is strange is that the teams and players seem to work things out in the end. It really doesn't harm anybody (cept the fans) because if SD really did draft him, they can use him to trade for equal talent or compensation (in theory).

What I don't like is the attitude of players and their advice men in situations like these.

Has there been anybody like this in the past that didn't go to a team and that team won a super bowl before the player and his new team did? Can't think of any, but it would be just desserts if it happened in this case.

Oh yeah, we're talking about the Chargers and a Manning. Nevermind.

[JeeberD]

On ESPN Radio they were talking about how they think it could be because "Archie played for a flailing franchise and he know's first hand how bad it can be. He doesn't want the same thing for his son."

Excuse me? Weren't the Colts a flailing franchise when Peyton got drafted by them? They might not had been as bad as the 'Aints, but they were at least as bad as the Chargers have been the past few years.

Shit like this just pisses me off...

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Yep, I thought the same thing. Considering how awful the Colts were at the time I probably should be more understanding, but I still hold a grudge against Elway for refusing to be picked by the Colts.
The question that'll never be answered: If Elway smiles and decides to be the cornerstone of the Baltimore Colts, does that slimy weasel Irsay pack up the vans in the middle of the night? I know it's been 21 years, but Indy Colts still don't sound right. Neither does Ballamoe Ravens. (Isn't a raven a bird that feeds off of dead, decaying animals? Hey, The Indianapolis Ravens. It fits the Irsay name very well...)

[BigJohn&TheLions]

So you prefer the A-Rods with their take the money and screw the fans type of attitude?

Actually, yes only in America can a person have the freedom to decide where they live and where they work. I live and work in Colorado, where I spend most of my off time Skiing and Kayaking. If my boss would show up tomorrow and inform me that I had been transferred to the Death Valley branch I would tell him where he could stick his transfer papers.

So, yes Only in America! can we enjoy the freedom of living and working where we choose!
If he told you that you would get a $15 million moving bonus and a salary in the $10 mil range you'd be thinking "Well, it is warm there and I'll have a nice tan..." (Not to mention that it's only half the year)

[bhlloy]

Funny thing is, with a decent QB and Ladanian Tomlinson the Chargers could be a very good team in a couple of years. I'd rather go there than the Giants, who have an above average QB and still sucked last year. At least the Chargers realise you need an offensive line to play football and a QB plays better when he doesn't have to pick his teeth up from the turf every other play.

Archie should stop bitching and realise that the fact that he's going to go at the top of the first round means HE'S NOT GOING TO GO TO A GOOD TEAM.
That's the point of the draft to make the bad teams better. Idiot.

Send him to the Cardinals and let him learn the real definition of bush league franchise.

[Peregrine]

I think this may all play into the Chargers hands anyway. From several articles I've read recently, they'd be just as happy with Rivers as with Manning anyway, so if they can pull off the heavily-rumored deal with the Giants, it would work out pretty well for them.

[cthomer5000]

I think this may all play into the Chargers hands anyway. From several articles I've read recently, they'd be just as happy with Rivers as with Manning anyway, so if they can pull off the heavily-rumored deal with the Giants, it would work out pretty well for them.
yes and no. In one way its good because it will let them off the hook if they trade down (no one will be able to fault them for not taking Manning).

It's bad in the way that they might lose a lot of bargaining leverage. The Giants can pretty much dare the Chargers to take Manning. If they do, they can probably land Gallery. If the Chargers don't take Manning - he'll probably fall to them at #4.

[fantastic flying froggies]

yes and no. In one way its good because it will let them off the hook if they trade down (no one will be able to fault them for not taking Manning).

It's bad in the way that they might lose a lot of bargaining leverage. The Giants can pretty much dare the Chargers to take Manning. If they do, they can probably land Gallery. If the Chargers don't take Manning - he'll probably fall to them at #4.
Don't you think the Raiders are likely to pick Gallery, then ?

[bhlloy]

I don't think Gallery or Manning falls past the Raiders (Manning would be a great Al Davis high profile pick and they are interested in Gallery), so I'm not sure this helps the Giants too much. And if the Raiders take Fitzgerald instead that leaves Arizona taking Manning/Gallery.
Seems the first 3 picks are pretty set (in one order or another) and the Giants still have to get up to number 2 to get one of the two players they want.

[MizzouRah]

If he told you that you would get a $15 million moving bonus and a salary in the $10 mil range you'd be thinking "Well, it is warm there and I'll have a nice tan..." (Not to mention that it's only half the year)

Exactly!

We're not talking about my piddly salary, so YES I choose where I live and work. If I just got out of technical school and say, a company in New York drafted me, giving me a 15mil signing bonus... New York here I come.

That's the friggin rules, you go in the draft, you get drafted, shut your hole and play your ass off.


Todd

[Samdari]

I think everyone is being a bit hard on Eli here. So far, there are no reports of him saying anything, its all been attributed to his father. Also, don't confuse expressing a preference with a flat out refusal to play. Bottom line, if Eli gets drafted by San Diego, he'll show up and play.

[Tekneek]

So, if you get paid millions of dollars, you should not get to have any say about where you work and who you work for?

[miami_fan]

I think everyone is being a bit hard on Eli here. So far, there are no reports of him saying anything, its all been attributed to his father. Also, don't confuse expressing a preference with a flat out refusal to play. Bottom line, if Eli gets drafted by San Diego, he'll show up and play.

Just because his last name is Manning does not mean he does not deserve to get his ass ripped for this one. There are no reports of him not saying anything either. And despite the fact that the "genius" Denny Green :D is coaching in Arizona, I am sure that there is a preference for other players not to go there. Eli Manning, IMO, is looking like a spoiled brat who does not even have the guts to stand on his own two feet. He has his daddy speaking for him. Tags is trying to placate everybody. Archie Manning is meeting with Scottenheimer??!! What is this? The NFL or Pop Warner. Maybe Eli should join Clarett in the Arena League :mad:

[Samdari]

There are no reports of him not saying anything either.

So, whenever a potential draftee is silent, the media is supposed to report it?

[Francis_Cole]

He's about to make a boatload of money

Maybe he doesn't think money isn't everything? Seems sensible to me

[miami_fan]

So, whenever a potential draftee is silent, the media is supposed to report it?

No meaning that if Eli was not in agreement with what Papa Archie is pulling, he would say so

[Subby]

So, if you get paid millions of dollars, you should not get to have any say about where you work and who you work for?Not if your are drafted by the NFL, no.

If you want to forego your NFL career and be a roofer or something, then go for it.

[oykib]

If you were a talented QB, would you want to play for Marty Schottenheimer?

[Samdari]

No meaning that if Eli was not in agreement with what Papa Archie is pulling, he would say so

Why would he? You say that like it is automatic. I care far more about what my father thinks of me than the general public, so in this case, I would not make a statement distancing myself from my father.

I just really do not understand what the problem is with asking to have some say in where you work. I don't see why people are having such a problem distinguishing between requesting and demanding. They are quite different.

[Tekneek]

Not if your are drafted by the NFL, no.

If you want to forego your NFL career and be a roofer or something, then go for it.

That's the chance the Chargers can take then, right? Draft him and see if he will play for them. NFL rules say that teams can draft you and get exlusive rights to you. That's fine. You also have the right to sign with them or not. Nothing wrong with that. It's called freedom, and we have that freedom here. NFL rules do not say that you MUST sign a contract when a team uses a draft pick on you.

[miami_fan]

If you were a talented QB, would you want to play for Marty Schottenheimer?

Well he did so much for uh...uh....uh :D

[miami_fan]

Why would he? You say that like it is automatic. I care far more about what my father thinks of me than the general public, so in this case, I would not make a statement distancing myself from my father.

I just really do not understand what the problem is with asking to have some say in where you work. I don't see why people are having such a problem distinguishing between requesting and demanding. They are quite different.

You mean like T.O. requesting to not be traded to Ravens

[sachmo71]

So, if you get paid millions of dollars, you should not get to have any say about where you work and who you work for?

In sports, no. You go where you are drafted, shut the hell up, and play a game for a living. Seems like a small price to pay, and I don't feel bad for any of them.

[WSUCougar]

Because it's not "asking" where to go, it's leveraging in a draft system. It's saying "I'm going to be a problem for you if you draft me." So San Diego suddenly has lost some leverage in its trade negotiations for the #1 pick, and it has to reassess its draft strategy for what may be a franchise-altering pick.

Edit: typo

[Samdari]

Because it's not "asking" where to go, it's leveraging in a draft system. It's saying "I'm going to be a problem for you if you draft me." So San Diego suddenly has lost some leverage in its trade negotiations for the #1 pick, and it has to reassess its draft strategy for what may be a franchise-altering pick.

Normally, I would agree with that. But the only reason we are discussing this on this board is because the Chargers told the media. Why would they do that if it was going to hurt them? Were they looking to wimp out anyway (by being afraid to take a QB #1) and now they have someone to publicly blame?

The Mannings did not play this for leverage - to do that they would have had been screaming to the press for months that Eli was not going to play for them. Instead, they kept it private and the Chargers - ostensibly the party that is hurt by this being so public - told the whole world.

[RendeR]

Because it's not "asking" where to go, it's leveraging in a draft system. It's saying "I'm going to be a problem for you if you draft me." So San Diego suddenly has lost some leverage in its trade negotiations for the #1 pick, and it has to reassess its draft strategy for what may be a franchise-altering pick.

Edit: typo



DING DING DING, We HAVE a winner!

[HornedFrog Purple]

LT needs to get out of that disaster of a franchise.

[oykib]

F--- the Chargers. I say more power to the draftees. They have one piece of leverage. Why shouldn't they use it?

It's up to the team and the league to call the player's bluff. If they can't, then he wins and gets everything he wants.

I love how sports fans are always determining what's enough for someone else...

[Tekneek]

I love how sports fans are always determining what's enough for someone else...

It seems to be jealousy.

[cthomer5000]

1. Samdari hit it on the head - I think it's being overblown, and we haven't anything about a "refusal" to play for San Diego - just a preference.
2. I don't know if anyone will be playing for Schottenheimer after this year.
3. I haven't heard too much on the Raiders taking Gallery, so I do not think they'd do it if Manning goes #1 overall. I still think they take Roy Williams if that happens. The Giants would probably need to trade up to 3 then, or someone else will.

[sachmo71]

Here is the article so that folks can judge the semantics of "requests and demands" for themselves.


The Chargers have the top pick in the draft. Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning is projected, by most accounts, as the top player available.



One problem -- Manning does not want to play for San Diego. He'd rather be in New York with the Giants, who have the fourth pick.


Manning's agent, Tom Condon, informed the Chargers that Archie Manning does not want his son to be drafted by the team. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith confirmed the news Wednesday night, a day after the elder Manning visited team officials at the Chargers training complex.


"Tom Condon informed us about the wishes of Archie Manning in regards to his son, Eli," Smith told ESPN.com's John Clayton. "We had a good visit with Archie and we told him we may be selecting his son with the first pick in the draft. Tom told us Archie's wishes are that we not do that and that New York would be a good fit."


ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Condon informed the Chargers about the Mannings' feelings last week prior to Archie's visit. After hearing of the news, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue contacted the elder Manning and asked him to meet with Chargers president Dean Spanos.


Spanos, according to Mortensen, met with Archie Manning and asked him to visit with Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer. But despite the visit this week, the former NFL quarterback remains convinced that San Diego is not a good fit for Eli -- although the Manning family did not want their feelings to be made public, according to Mortensen.


Archie Manning, reached Wednesday night by the New York Daily News, said he was aware that the Chargers had decided to discuss the matter publicly.


"My understanding is the Chargers have said that. I'm not going to comment on it tonight," Manning told the newspaper. "I've got to huddle with Eli and Tom and see where we are on this thing. The only thing I'll say is I never talked to the Chargers about the Giants. I was asked to come to San Diego and see them."


Will the Mannings' stance affect the Chargers' thinking going into the draft? Smith would not guarantee Condon that the team would grant Archie Manning's request.


"We told them we will do what will be in the best interest of the San Diego Chargers," Smith told Clayton.


Earlier this month, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi called the Chargers to express an interest in trading up from the No. 4 pick to No. 1 in order to select the younger Manning.


A third team entered the bidding Wednesday for the first pick when the Browns called. Cleveland wants to move up and pick left tackle Robert Gallery of Iowa.


The Chargers face some interesting decisions. Do they trade the pick to the Giants, allowing them to take Manning and giving the impression that the player was dictating the draft? If they take Gallery or another player -- or if they trade with a team such as the Browns that wouldn't select Manning -- they would be giving Manning to their division rival, the Oakland Raiders.


"We haven't decided what we are going to do," Smith said. "We could stay there and pick. It could be Eli. It could be someone else. We will do what we think is best. For now, we are staying where we are and then see what develops over the next couple of days."


The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Archie Manning has been doing background checks on the Chargers this month. The newspaper reported that Manning's actions aren't unusual -- he looked into various colleges before both Eli and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning went to school.


The elder Manning then met with team officials this week.


"It was an opportunity to just sit down and just visit," Schottenheimer told the Union-Tribune. "He came in around the late afternoon and left first thing this morning. I don't know that there was any quizzing going on. He wanted to visit with us, and we wanted to visit with him."


Archie Manning may fear that Eli will fall into the same situation that Archie suffered while quarterback of the downtrodden Saints in the 1970s. He played in the NFL for 14 years, 11 of them with the Saints, without ever making the playoffs.


The Chargers have not had a winning season since 1995 and have only four winning seasons in the past 20 years.


While quarterback and a tackle are high on the Chargers' list, they have several other desperate needs. Trading down would allow them to stockpile picks and possibly players, as well as avoid paying a hefty signing bonus that a top pick would command.


"I know [the Chargers] have a lot of different options," Condon recently said.


Condon also represents Peyton Manning, who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the first pick in the 1998 draft. Condon said the Colts didn't decide until the night before that draft that they would take Manning, leaving the Chargers to take Ryan Leaf.


Leaf cost the Chargers an $11.25 million signing bonus and turned out to be one of the biggest busts in NFL history.


Four years ago, the Chargers traded the draft's top pick to Atlanta for the fifth pick, receiver-returner Tim Dwight and additional picks. The Falcons took Michael Vick and the Chargers got LaDainian Tomlinson. San Diego is 17-31 since that trade.


"I could care less about the Ryan Leaf decision," Smith told Clayton. "I've heard it so many times that we can't take a quarterback because of what happened in the past. Whether we decide to take a quarterback or not has nothing to do with Ryan Leaf. I didn't take this job with the idea that we can't do something that might help the team."


Despite the feelings expressed by the Manning family, the Chargers may see Eli as the only hope to resurrect the franchise. Manning's stature entering the NFL is very high.


"I think you're probably pretty safe picking Eli Manning," Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren told the Indianapolis Star.



To me, it doesn't matter if it's a perfumed envelope message requesting to not play for a team or a horses head in Spanos' bed. He (Archie)is making requests that he really shouldn't have a right to make.

If Archie wants to choose the team his son plays for, have him skip the draft and become a free agent. Then he can choose his team with no problem. If it isn't about the money, this shouldn't be a problem for him.

[ageofquarrel]

I guess he's not as much like his older brother as I hoped...

Didnt peyton stay his senior year in college because the Jets were going to draft him if he left early?

I saw an interviewwith Eli were he was asked what the first thing he would buy would be. Didnt sound like a guy who had a hard time paying his bills. Plus i mean its thursday and this dipshits in san diego dont even know what the hell they are going to do. I mean if i was Eli and saw that san diego werent sure about drafting me when im considered by most the no 1 QB in the draft when drew brees is their QB. I wouldnt want to play for them either.

[Samdari]

If Archie wants to choose the team his son plays for, have him skip the draft and become a free agent.

He doesn't have that right - noone does. If they did, just about every top prospect would do so.

[cthomer5000]

He doesn't have that right - noone does. If they did, just about every top prospect would do so.
He could just refuse to sign for two years, then he'd be free to choose his team for the 2006 season.

[sachmo71]

He doesn't have that right - noone does. If they did, just about every top prospect would do so.

He could go play baseball or something. Like Henson, or Hutchinson. It worked out for them didn't it? Oh wait...

[cthomer5000]

Didnt peyton stay his senior year in college because the Jets were going to draft him if he left early?
Correct. It was very largely reported that Peyton decided to go back because Parcells would not guarantee him the Jets would take him #1 overall. Kind of the reverse of the situation we see right now.


I saw an interviewwith Eli were he was asked what the first thing he would buy would be. Didnt sound like a guy who had a hard time paying his bills. Plus i mean its thursday and this dipshits in san diego dont even know what the hell they are going to do. I mean if i was Eli and saw that san diego werent sure about drafting me when im considered by most the no 1 QB in the draft when drew brees is their QB. I wouldnt want to play for them either.
I can understand not wanting to play there.

Bad coaching situation. Either Schottenheimer gets fired after this season - or worse, he hangs around and Eli gets to hand off 500 times a year while passing 200 until the end of the Schottenheimer regime. Look at the QB stats for starters under Marty, it ain't pretty.
The team is in a stadium/possible relocation distraction. Everyone knows they're possibly moving to L.A. in a few years. Maybe he doesn't want to be part of that.
The Chargers just suck. They're still at least 2 years from the playoffs.

[cthomer5000]

This is probably all Archie needed to see before making his remarks:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=220 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=220 bgColor=#666666 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=219 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=555 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnIEBoxTitle colSpan=11>Marty Schottenheimer's Career Record</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIEHdrRowBG><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Year</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Team</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>W</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>L</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>T</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Starting QB</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Comp.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Att.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>Yards</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC>TD</TD><TD class=cnnIEColHdrC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">INT</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1984 *</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Cle.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>4</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>4</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Paul McDonald</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>271</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>493</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,472</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>14</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">23</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1985</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Cle.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Bernie Kosar</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>124</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>248</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1,578</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">7</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1986</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Cle.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>12</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>4</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Bernie Kosar</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>310</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>531</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,854</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>17</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">10</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1987</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Cle.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>5</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Bernie Kosar</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>241</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>389</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,033</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>22</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">9</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1988</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Cle.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>6</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Bernie Kosar</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>156</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>259</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1,890</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">7</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1989</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>7</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Steve DeBerg</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>196</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>324</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,529</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>11</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">16</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1990</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>11</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>5</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Steve DeBerg</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>258</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>444</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,444</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>23</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">4</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1991</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>6</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Steve DeBerg</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>256</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>434</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,965</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>17</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">14</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1992</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>6</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Dave Kreig</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>230</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>413</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,115</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>15</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">12</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1993</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>11</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>5</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Joe Montana</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>181</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>298</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,144</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>13</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">7</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1994</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>9</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>7</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Joe Montana</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>299</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>493</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,283</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>16</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">9</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1995</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>13</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Steve Bono</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>293</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>520</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,121</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>21</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">10</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1996</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>9</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>7</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Steve Bono</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>235</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>438</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,572</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>12</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">13</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1997</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>13</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Elvis Grbac</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>179</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>314</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1,943</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>11</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">6</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1998</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>K.C.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>7</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>9</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Rich Gannon</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>206</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>354</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,305</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">6</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2001</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Was.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Tony Banks</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>198</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>370</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,386</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>10</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">10</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2002</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>S.D.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>8</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Drew Brees</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>320</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>526</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>3,284</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>17</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">16</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2003</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>S.D.</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>4</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>12</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>0</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL>Drew Brees</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>205</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>356</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>2,108</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>11</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">15</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>Totals</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>165</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>113</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC>1</TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC> </TD><TD class=cnnIEColTxtC style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px"> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIESmallText colSpan=11> * -- Replaced Sam Rutigliano after eight games.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[sachmo71]

Wow, Steve DeBerg had a nice year in 90.

[daedalus]

Probably nitpicking and possibly influenced by my dislike of Owens but I find this to be a different situation than Owens' situation. Owens was under contract with the 49ers. He was already being paid by them. In my opinion, with his John Hancock already on that contract, he's SOL. On the other hand, Manning hasn't signed with the Chargers and doesn't owe them anything. Being selected merely gives the Chargers the exclusive right to negotiate with him.

On the other hand, it still annoys me that they did that. Sounds really illogical, I know. Oh, the other thing that bugs me as well is that they made it public. That really screws the Chargers over as far as what leverage they might have in negotiating with other teams.What I don't like is the attitude of players and their advice men in situations like these.That's my big thing. I dislike these "advice" people in this situation, filling players' ears with their own crap.Has there been anybody like this in the past that didn't go to a team and that team won a super bowl before the player and his new team did? Can't think of any, but it would be just desserts if it happened in this case.Wrong sport but the one that always stuck in my mind was Todd Van Poppel letting it be known that he would not sign with the Braves if drafted. So they settled for a local shortstop name Larry Wayne Jones.

Unless you want to count Bo.

[cthomer5000]

And was K.C. bound to use only ex-49er QB's for a while there? It seems so crazy in retrospect.

[GrantDawg]

Cush: "I'll either surf or ski. I'll either surf or ski."

[GrantDawg]

...Wrong sport but the one that always stuck in my mind was Todd Van Poppel letting it be known that he would not sign with the Braves if drafted. So they settled for a local shortstop name Larry Wayne Jones.


I love that story. One of the few where the Atlanta team came out on top.

[albionmoonlight]

Manning does not need the money in the way that a lot of top draftees do. He comes from a family of millionaires. In that sense, he has a bit more leverage than a guy whose single mother is on public assistance.

[Tekneek]

Manning does not need the money in the way that a lot of top draftees do. He comes from a family of millionaires. In that sense, he has a bit more leverage than a guy whose single mother is on public assistance.

This may yet be another reason for some jealousy over it.

[Hurst2112]

It would be funnier if Archie told the press that the Patriots would be a better team for his son rather than the Giants or Chargers.

Maybe he wants Eli to be the next bachelor, or, he realizes that after the bachelor...his boy will be guarenteed a roster spot without lifting a finger.

What? You guys don't watch the bachelor? Er, me neither. I was just asking.

[Samdari]

Correct. It was very largely reported that Peyton decided to go back because Parcells would not guarantee him the Jets would take him #1 overall.

I think ageofquarrel was insinuating the opposite - that Peyton went back to school to avoid playing for the Jets.

[cthomer5000]

I think ageofquarrel was insinuating the opposite - that Peyton went back to school to avoid playing for the Jets.You're probably right, but there was no word that was the case. It appeared to be the opposite. I think Manning was happy enough in school that he would only come out for the perfect situation. I guess playing in New York for Bill Parcells, and being the #1 overall pick was it.

Word was that Manning just didn't want to come out, and have the Jets trade the pick to (fill in the blank) and end up somewhere he hadn't expected (or didn't want) to play.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

What nobody, including Archie Manning has taken into account here is the NY media. If he lands here and isn't the second coming of Phil Simms instantly, he'll get ripped, ripped, ripped. (And they really didn't like him when he was playing)

NY is a rough town to play in...

[ageofquarrel]

yeah i wasnt sure if that is why Peyton finished his sr year. My friend derek is a jets fan and he hates Peyton and that is reason he gives for it.

[Hurst2112]

yeah i wasnt sure if that is why Peyton finished his sr year. My friend derek is a jets fan and he hates Peyton and that is reason he gives for it.

I would have thought he hated him for not stepping up in the playoffs. Though as a Jets fan, he would love that every year.

[wishbone]

Maybe Eli has some unpaid parking tickets in San Diego and that's why he doesn't want to go there.

[MizzouRah]

Because it's not "asking" where to go, it's leveraging in a draft system. It's saying "I'm going to be a problem for you if you draft me." So San Diego suddenly has lost some leverage in its trade negotiations for the #1 pick, and it has to reassess its draft strategy for what may be a franchise-altering pick.

Edit: typo
Nicely said.

Maybe all the 1st rounders will start saying where they will, will not want to play and we'll do away with the draft. A guy will step up and say the team he wants to play for, and BOOM! it's a done deal.

The next time you play FOF and you're dying for that stud QB who will really make your team much better, you click on him to draft him and you get something like, "I prefer not to play for your team", so he holds out... how would that make you feel? :)


Todd

[Franklinnoble]

Personally, I have always resented John Elway for doing this to the Colts... and I think his actions had at least some small part in the team re-locating.

Manning's actions may eventually do the same thing to the Chargers...

[rkmsuf]

Nicely said.

Maybe all the 1st rounders will start saying where they will, will not want to play and we'll do away with the draft. A guy will step up and say the team he wants to play for, and BOOM! it's a done deal.

The next time you play FOF and you're dying for that stud QB who will really make your team much better, you click on him to draft him and you get something like, "I prefer not to play for your team", so he holds out... how would that make you feel? :)


Todd


That's San Diego's fault. They've been so wishy washy publicly, trying to either maxmize a trade or fool people. Obviously they are not overwhelmed by Manning and just that fact diminishes trade value of #1 anyway.

[Samdari]

The next time you play FOF and you're dying for that stud QB who will really make your team much better, you click on him to draft him and you get something like, "I prefer not to play for your team", so he holds out... how would that make you feel? :)

I would love the level of realism.

Actually I would yell and scream and get infuriated, but still applaud the developer for coming up with a text sim that could get me so emotionally involved.

[cthomer5000]

I would love the level of realism.

Actually I would yell and scream and get infuriated, but still applaud the developer for coming up with a text sim that could get me so emotionally involved.
It would be great. And if you did draft him, he'd hold out and only accept the biggest money salary. And he'd have a loyalty of "0", and get easily disgruntled. :)

[Franklinnoble]

It would be great. And if you did draft him, he'd hold out and only accept the biggest money salary. And he'd have a loyalty of "0", and get easily disgruntled. :)
And he'd get you to the Solecismic bowl 4 times, but you'd get blown out in all of them, until you finally draft that stud RB...

[Easy Mac]

Shouldn't the thread title read Archie Manning doesn't want his son in San Diego. I think its kind of presumptuous to say anything else.

[John Galt]

I don't know what Eli has done wrong.

His father said things to the Chargers about wanting him to play elsewhere (Eli has said nothing).
The Chargers decided to leak the story (so any lost leverage is their own fault).
Eli and Archie have never said that Eli will hold out if he is drafted by the Chargers.

What is wrong with expressing a preference? I know I would if I was in Eli's position. It doesn't mean I wouldn't honor the contract, just that I would prefer to play for another team. And Eli hasn't even done that.

[rkmsuf]

If the Chargers had just thrown in the Craftmatic Adjustable for Archie he'd be signed.

[Easy Mac]

I don't know what Eli has done wrong.

His father said things to the Chargers about wanting him to play elsewhere (Eli has said nothing).
The Chargers decided to leak the story (so any lost leverage is their own fault).
Eli and Archie have never said that Eli will hold out if he is drafted by the Chargers.

What is wrong with expressing a preference? I know I would if I was in Eli's position. It doesn't mean I wouldn't honor the contract, just that I would prefer to play for another team. And Eli hasn't even done that.
Its called the "Rothlesberger is God" syndrome.

[Noble_Platypus]

Here we go with another draftee refusing to go where he is told. Sounds like another thread we have here. :D ;)


Has there been anybody like this in the past that didn't go to a team and that team won a super bowl before the player and his new team did? Can't think of any, but it would be just desserts if it happened in this case.

Oh yeah, we're talking about the Chargers and a Manning. Nevermind.


I find statement like this ignorant. Lets pile on Peyton for not winning a SB yet. Its his fault alone that the D sucks and that NE was allowed to piggyback on his receivers the whole game. I guess since the SB is the only measuring stick that means anything then we can all agree that Mcnair is a loser because he couldnt win one, and Mcnabb must be a complete fucking loser to have lost all of those chances to go to the SB, and in a row no less. Doug williams is a much better QB than Marino and Jim Kelly too,huh?

[miami_fan]

I have a feeling that if this player's last name was not Manning, there would be fewer people coming to his and/or his father's defense.

[Easy Mac]

I have a feeling that if this player's last name was not Manning, there would be fewer people looking to crucify to him and/or his father..

[rkmsuf]

I find statement like this ignorant. Lets pile on Peyton for not winning a SB yet. Its his fault alone that the D sucks and that NE was allowed to piggyback on his receivers the whole game. I guess since the SB is the only measuring stick that means anything then we can all agree that Mcnair is a loser because he couldnt win one, and Mcnabb must be a complete fucking loser to have lost all of those chances to go to the SB, and in a row no less. Doug williams is a much better QB than Marino and Jim Kelly too,huh?

sensitive

[Noble_Platypus]

sensitive


Not sensitive, just sick and tired of the bullshit logic that people use to back up their take. It cant work both ways. You cant say that 1 QB is better than another based solely on a SB win unless you also support that guys like Marino, Kelly, Fouts, etc were losers or bad QBs

[rkmsuf]

Not sensitive, just sick and tired of the bullshit logic that people use to back up their take. It cant work both ways. You cant say that 1 QB is better than another based solely on a SB win unless you also support that guys like Marino, Kelly, Fouts, etc were losers or bad QBs

The point is that the game is played to win SBs. Sans that a QB has a signinficant chink in the armor.

You can argue pure talent all you want. Multiple SB wins trump any stats or ability arguement.

[Samdari]

You can argue pure talent all you want. Multiple SB wins trump any stats or ability arguement.

Right, because those games are decided by the QBs going one-on-one for 60 minutes. Oh wait, they're not? Perhaps other factors could be considered in the argument.

[Bosco]

The point is that the game is played to win SBs. Sans that a QB has a signinficant chink in the armor.

You can argue pure talent all you want. Multiple SB wins trump any stats or ability arguement.

That's competely ridiculous. Are you honestly going to tell me Tom Brady is better than Dan Marino? Its a team game and teams win Super Bowls, not QBs.

[rkmsuf]

Right, because those games are decided by the QBs going one-on-one for 60 minutes. Oh wait, they're not? Perhaps other factors could be considered in the argument.

The point is to win the sb. Yes it's a team sport more than any other but look at Marino for example. It's an age old arguement but in the grand scheme what good was it to have him after the first couple years? He was talented but for all that talent failed in the ultimate. Blame it on whatever you want but the reason you get the best qb is to win the whole thing...

It's a no win arguement though. Fans will line up on the side that fits their rooting interest.

[miami_fan]

That's competely ridiculous. Are you honestly going to tell me Tom Brady is better than Dan Marino? Its a team game and teams win Super Bowls, not QBs.

Brady better than Danny? Blasphemy!

Now about those comparisons to Joe Montana.....J/K

[MizzouRah]

That's San Diego's fault. They've been so wishy washy publicly, trying to either maxmize a trade or fool people. Obviously they are not overwhelmed by Manning and just that fact diminishes trade value of #1 anyway.
That's true, or else he would have been signed by now. Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds, but if I was a Chargers fan, I would really be ticked.

How about Winslow, Jr.'s dad telling agents if they want to represent him, pay $2500 and make a presentation. Now that's hilarious. Guess who won, although the NFL shot down the $2500 part, yep good ole Orlando Pace's agent, the Postins.


Todd

[rkmsuf]

In the Pats system Brady is way better than Marino could ever be. He'd be such a prick that he'd never stand for dumping the ball and making the smart plays. You call the WR screen and he'd change it. His bravado would be his undoing.

[rkmsuf]

That's true, or else he would have been signed by now. Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds, but if I was a Chargers fan, I would really be ticked.

How about Winslow, Jr.'s dad telling agents if they want to represent him, pay $2500 and make a presentation. Now that's hilarious. Guess who won, although the NFL shot down the $2500 part, yep good ole Orlando Pace's agent, the Postins.


Todd

I would stay far away from that player.

[Samdari]

The point is to win the sb. Yes it's a team sport more than any other but look at Marino for example. It's an age old arguement but in the grand scheme what good was it to have him after the first couple years? He was talented but for all that talent failed in the ultimate. Blame it on whatever you want but the reason you get the best qb is to win the whole thing...

It's a no win arguement though. Fans will line up on the side that fits their rooting interest.

That last thought is certainly correct.

I certainly agree that the point is to win the whole thing. But to have it be the only factor in deciding a QBs worth has a whole bunch of great players below Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson. I cannot live with that. Marino, Fouts, Tarkenton, Kelly, were all better players than those two. To argue otherwise is ludicrous. They are only one piece of the puzzle.

Montana was a great QB, but in several of the years he won, his teams were so good he did not need to be. Anybody could have won with that 85 team, for example someone of Dilfer's caliber.

[MizzouRah]

I would stay far away from that player.

Could you imagine if he's sitting there at #26, which I know he won't be, but oh would Martz's brain start frying.


Todd

[Noble_Platypus]

Right, because those games are decided by the QBs going one-on-one for 60 minutes. Oh wait, they're not? Perhaps other factors could be considered in the argument.
Thank you. You and Bosco seem to understand the team concept, unlike some. I know the bottom line is to win SBs, but a players talent or greatness cannot be truly judged on wins and losses in a team game.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know what Eli has done wrong.

His father said things to the Chargers about wanting him to play elsewhere (Eli has said nothing).
The Chargers decided to leak the story (so any lost leverage is their own fault).
Eli and Archie have never said that Eli will hold out if he is drafted by the Chargers.

What is wrong with expressing a preference? I know I would if I was in Eli's position. It doesn't mean I wouldn't honor the contract, just that I would prefer to play for another team. And Eli hasn't even done that.
I agree that SD is at fault for losing leverage by leaking this story - in fact, I'm having a hard time understanding why they did that - but it now appears that Eli isn't just "expressing a preference," he's threatening to sit out the entire year if he is drafted by SD.

What possible reason could SD have for leaking that story in the first place? Was it more important to paint the Mannings in a bad light than it was to get the best possible deal for trading the #1 pick? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Shkspr]

What possible reason could SD have for leaking that story in the first place? Was it more important to paint the Mannings in a bad light than it was to get the best possible deal for trading the #1 pick? Stupid, stupid, stupid.


The only explanation that makes sense is that the Giants deal is done, and has been done for some time, and this "leak" is the way that San Diego is going to try and avoid being called The Team Burned So Bad By Ryan Leaf That They Were Too Chickenshit To Draft Either Michael Vick Or Eli Manning.

Hell, for all we know, the Mannings' public position may be part of the agreement to get their signing bonus from the Giants.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I have a feeling that if this player's last name was not Manning, there would be fewer people coming to his and/or his father's defense.
And your point would be ... ???

I agree with you, btw, but I don't find that to be particularly surprising or disturbing. They are, quite possibly, the "First Family of Football" in at least 2 and probably 3 states.

I'm 37 now, so I remember Archie running for his life on those God-awful Saints teams, I can't say I blame him one bit for trying to do whatever he can within the rules to prevent his son from suffering the same fate.

Peyton is, for me, one of the rarest people in pro football -- somebody that I actually give a damn about watching play. He's one of only two players in the league that will cause me to stop & watch (Mike Vick being the other). The big difference is that I watch Vick because, no matter what else he is or isn't, he's an incredible athlete that may do something amazing or downright unbelievable at any given moment. Manning, on the other hand, isn't the world's greatest athlete or even QB, but I actually care if he does well.

Eli has been fun to watch & had himself a nice career in the SEC. I'd certainly say I've got high hopes for his future, since I believe he will probably be at least as good as his brother.

So yes, given all that (and given that I'd be far from alone on those general takes), I'd say they'll attract more defenders/supporters than Joe Q. Quarterback from the University of Ottumwa.

[miami_fan]

Things have changed a bit. Now we know that Eli Manning does not want go to the Chargers as opposed to just Archie not wanting him to go. Eli is not just showing a preference. He is flat out refusing to sign a contract with the Chargers and will sit out the whole year. I can't see how anybody can defend this position. I understand the concern that Archie may have as a father but this is the way the draft works. Look San Diego may be in disarray right now but so is Arizona, so was Cincy, so were the Cowboys, the Pats, the Bears etc.

[GrantDawg]

Things have changed a bit. Now we know that Eli Manning does not want go to the Chargers as opposed to just Archie not wanting him to go. Eli is not just showing a preference. He is flat out refusing to sign a contract with the Chargers and will sit out the whole year. I can't see how anybody can defend this position. I understand the concern that Archie may have as a father but this is the way the draft works. Look San Diego may be in disarray right now but so is Arizona, so was Cincy, so were the Cowboys, the Pats, the Bears etc.
AND teams can turn around quickly in the modern NFL (SD could be in the Super Bowl in two years, and the Giants could be 1-15).

[Ksyrup]

The only explanation that makes sense is that the Giants deal is done, and has been done for some time, and this "leak" is the way that San Diego is going to try and avoid being called The Team Burned So Bad By Ryan Leaf That They Were Too Chickenshit To Draft Either Michael Vick Or Eli Manning.

Hell, for all we know, the Mannings' public position may be part of the agreement to get their signing bonus from the Giants.
Could be, but the reports right now suggest the teams are not even close to adeal. Bah...who knows what the truth is!

[Samdari]

Things have changed a bit. Now we know that Eli Manning does not want go to the Chargers as opposed to just Archie not wanting him to go. Eli is not just showing a preference. He is flat out refusing to sign a contract with the Chargers and will sit out the whole year. I can't see how anybody can defend this position. I understand the concern that Archie may have as a father but this is the way the draft works. Look San Diego may be in disarray right now but so is Arizona, so was Cincy, so were the Cowboys, the Pats, the Bears etc.

I read this. I hereby retract everything I said yesterday indicating I thought Eli was being anything less than a prima donna jackass. I now hope the Chargers call his bluff and draft him. Although, of all potential draftees in recent memory, he is probably the most likely to actually sit out a season.

[cthomer5000]

I read this. I hereby retract everything I said yesterday indicating I thought Eli was being anything less than a prima donna jackass. I now hope the Chargers call his bluff and draft him. Although, of all potential draftees in recent memory, he is probably the most likely to actually sit out a season.
Yeah, when his bro just got a 40 million dollar signing bonus - I'm sure he can borrow a few bucks if needed.

Maybe he an Mike Williams can work out together....

[WSUCougar]

I think this is a massive game of chicken going on between the Chargers and the Giants, with the Raiders, Cardinals, and half the other NFL teams watching very closely. I think the Giants are playing it cool because of the leverage they've gained with the Manning camp wussing out. They want the Chargers to get desperate.

If I was going to place a wager on this, I'd bet there's no way in hell the Chargers draft Manning at #1 (unless it's to trade him), and that they trade out of the pick.

[Ksyrup]

I tihnk SD should just pass on him. I don't see him as the clear-cut #1 pick of this draft. SD obviously made him their first option, but if he doesn't want to sign with them, screw him. Choose someone else, or find a different trade partner. Who says the Giants are the only team they can trade with?

Either SD is stupid [insert joke here], or the media is portraying this as if SD is catering to Manning's wishes, when in fact, they are (or should be) looking at all of their options for the #1 pick, not just who wants Manning. When did Manning suddenly become the obvious #1 choice?

[Bosco]

Interesting article today from Mike Wilbon concerning the situation. He basically says there isn't anything wrong with what Archie is doing because the Chargers do in fact suck. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34808-2004Apr22.html

[Ksyrup]

I really don't have a problem with what he's doing. He's playing by the rules. He has something that few draft picks have - leverage. And he's using it. If SD calls his bluff and chooses him, and he's serious about not playing for them and they're serious about taking the chance of wasting their pick on him in the hopes that he'll change his mind or they can trade him to team with enough rookie cap room to sign him, then he should sit out, and by the rules, he'll get another chance in the draft next year. He's giving up the opportunity to play now for a team he doesn't want to play for, in order to choose a better place to play.

One year of a rather short NFL career in exchange for a better choice of teams. Sounds reasonable to me.

[WSUCougar]

Then, for spite's sake, maybe San Diego gets the pick again and drafts him a second time. :D

[fantastic flying froggies]

LOL

Actually, I've seen it happen in FOF 2004...

[GrantDawg]

I really don't have a problem with what he's doing. He's playing by the rules. He has something that few draft picks have - leverage. And he's using it. If SD calls his bluff and chooses him, and he's serious about not playing for them and they're serious about taking the chance of wasting their pick on him in the hopes that he'll change his mind or they can trade him to team with enough rookie cap room to sign him, then he should sit out, and by the rules, he'll get another chance in the draft next year. He's giving up the opportunity to play now for a team he doesn't want to play for, in order to choose a better place to play.

One year of a rather short NFL career in exchange for a better choice of teams. Sounds reasonable to me.
I have to say, though, it really stinks. If this were anyone but a Manning, wouldn't most of the posters rooting for him to be blackballed from the NFL? I can't see this as anything but a powerplay by the Manning family because they know they have more power by virtue of their name than any other recruit.

[Young Drachma]

Shouldn't the thread title read Archie Manning doesn't want his son in San Diego. I think its kind of presumptuous to say anything else.

When ESPN first reported it, that's what came out. The story got amended later, but the TV was on when I reading the boards that day, the story broke, so I posted it.

[Young Drachma]

I have to say, though, it really stinks. If this were anyone but a Manning, wouldn't most of the posters rooting for him to be blackballed from the NFL? I can't see this as anything but a powerplay by the Manning family because they know they have more power by virtue of their name than any other recruit.

I think you're dead on. But I don't see anything wrong with them leveraging what little power they have at the end of the day, to make a better situation for themselves. In this case, I agree with Mike Wilbon on PTI yesterday. He's going to exert what influence he has to have his kid play someplace where he thinks is better for him.

Eli isn't going to say anything, to ensure he doesn't appear like a spoiled brat or something. He'll just smile, produce and say nothing. But its not like it has to work out like they want it to. It's just consensus that it would probably be better for the Chargers, if they went along with it in the long run.

[cthomer5000]

ESPN Insider article. some interesting stuff

GM Smith chose wrong course of action<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 412.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-cellspacing: 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=550 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign=top>By Scouts, Inc.
For ESPN Insider<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign=top>Friday, April 23
Updated: April 23
12:47 PM ET <o:p></o:p>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

It's difficult to point the finger at one person for the mess that has occurred between the Chargers and the Manning family, but this all could have been avoided had Chargers GM A.J. Smith played his cards right. After all, the Chargers are the ones who contacted the Mannings regarding Archie's visit to San Diego. <OFFER><o:p></o:p>

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 48.75pt; HEIGHT: 67.5pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Eli Manning"><v:imagedata src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/cthompso/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" o:href="http://espn.go.com/media/ncf/2003/1122/photo/g_manning_m.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape>
Manning<o:p></o:p>


<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->After meeting with the Chargers' owners, with Smith and with coach Marty Schottenheimer, Archie got the strong feeling that the San Diego organization had no direction. Whether he was right or wrong, Archie felt Smith was in over his head and Schottenheimer's days were numbered. After going through a similar situation with the New Orleans Saints (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nor) during his playing days, Archie decided to quietly let the Chargers know that he and his son would prefer the team make a trade and not draft Eli. <o:p></o:p>

Archie has never been a meddling father, and what has transpired since Wednesday night is the last thing he wanted to occur. He told the Chargers he wanted to keep his preference between the two parties. If Smith had been smart about the situation, that's exactly how he would have handled it. <o:p></o:p>

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

<v:shape id=_x0000_i1026 style="WIDTH: 48.75pt; HEIGHT: 67.5pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Philip Rivers"><v:imagedata src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/cthompso/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" o:href="http://espn.go.com/media/ncf/2003/1112/photo/g_rivers_m.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape>
Rivers<o:p></o:p>


<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->At that point, Smith could have contacted the Giants and told them the Chargers' organization had a terrific meeting with Archie and would feel comfortable drafting Eli as their franchise quarterback for the future. But, his story could have gone, because they have so many needs as a team they would prefer to move down, acquire picks and draft a quarterback -- such as N.C. State's Philip Rivers (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft04/tracker/player?id=7842) -- a few picks later. <o:p></o:p>

Instead, by making Archie's preference public, Smith not only created a feud between the Chargers and the Mannings, he also lost leverage in any potential deal with the Giants. <o:p></o:p>

Once Giants GM Ernie Accorsi caught wind of the situation, he did what any shrewd GM -- or any businessman at all, for that matter -- would do: He expressed a lack of interest in making a trade. Accorsi worked the phones and made sure the media delivered the message to the Chargers that the Giants' personnel department called an emergency meeting to go back over the film of Miami of Ohio QB Ben Roethlisberger (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft04/tracker/player?id=7840). <o:p></o:p>

While we don't doubt the team had an emergency meeting last night to talk about its options, there is no way at this point in the scouting process the Giants would need to look at any more film of Roethlisberger. The Giants have known all along there was a possibility they would not get a deal done to move up for Manning, so they know everything there is to know about Roethlisberger. <o:p></o:p>

This was simply a tactic by Accorsi to let the Chargers know the Giants had a plan in place to keep the No. 4 pick, and if the Chargers wanted to make a trade, they would have to be willing to do a less-favorable deal than the one the two organizations had discussed previously. <o:p></o:p>

The general consensus around the league is the Chargers now have two options, neither of which is to draft Manning with the first pick. <o:p></o:p>

Their first and best option is to still get a deal done with the Giants to trade down, which we think will still happen. The problem, however, is that since they've lost so much of their leverage, they are not likely to get as good a deal as they would have before this mess broke. Instead of getting a second-round pick and WR Ike Hilliard, they might have to settle for a third-round pick and Hilliard -- or something similar. <o:p></o:p>

The Chargers' only other option as we see it is to keep the pick and draft OT Robert Gallery (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft04/tracker/player?id=7747). While they were planning on drafting Rivers with the fourth pick if they got a deal done, they can't rationalize taking Rivers No. 1 overall. This would obviously be a last-case scenario, but at this point it's not out of the question. <o:p></o:p>

[General Mike]

Eli isn't going to say anything, to ensure he doesn't appear like a spoiled brat or something. He'll just smile, produce and say nothing. But its not like it has to work out like they want it to. It's just consensus that it would probably be better for the Chargers, if they went along with it in the long run.

Eli was on WFAN this morning with Mac and Sid. They finally put the audio archive up on their website.

hxxp://wfan.com/breaknewsaudio/

Good listen, and it reveals alot about what kind of punk Eli is.

[dawgfan]

I've worked with Peyton Manning and met Archie a couple of times and read their book, so I'm somewhat biased by this experience. That said, because of the impressions I've gotten from being around both and reading their story, I'm inclined to give Eli some slack here.

Let's be honest about the draft for a moment - it forces players to teams they may have no interest in playing for. Until they reach free agency they have no say over where they get to play, unless they do what Eli is doing and what John Elway threatened to do. Yes, they make extremely good money regardless, but this is their careers they're considering. Why shouldn't they have the right to exert some control over that?

In Elway's case, I think it's easier to sympathise with Colts fans as it was obvious Elway was the best player in the draft; with Eli, it's not so clear-cut. Some think Roethlisberger is a better QB, some think Gallery is a better player period. It's not like the Chargers have made it clear they wanted Eli all along - unlike the Bengals with Carson Palmer, the Chargers have, at least publicly, shown a willingness to entertain multiple possibilities.

I think the reason the Bolts went public with the Manning's demands were at least partly as a PR move to cover themselves for not wanting to pick him anyway. It may cost them in leverage in trading down, but not that much - from reports I've seen the Giants aren't the only ones trying to trade up to #1.

As far as personal experience goes, both Peyton and Archie come across as extremely nice, no B.S. guys. I have a lot of respect for how both conduct themselves and I have some sympathy for how Archie's career turned out and the obvious effect it had on him and his sons with their careers.

Some would like to paint them as overbearing egotistical jerks in the same manner as the Winslows, but I think that's an unfair comparison. Eli has the right to sit out a year if he chooses, and if he feels that strongly about not playing for San Diego why shouldn't he use the only leverage he has? Would any of you in a similar situation not do the same thing? Money is not everything, and if you were in a similar position you'd also want to do what you can to land in a job you prefer, or at least don't dread.

[rkmsuf]

I have a lot of respect for how both conduct themselves and I have some sympathy for how Archie's career turned out and the obvious effect it had on him and his sons with their careers.



I don't see what that has to do with anything. Archie had a long productive career. He should be man enough to let his kids make their own future regardless of what crappy teams he played on. If Eli has a problem with SD, let Eli do the talking.

[WSUCougar]

Points taken, dawgfan, but what rubs me about it is the audacity - I don't know how else to label it - to leverage the rules that govern entry into the NFL. What it amounts to is the pre-draft version of a holdout. To me, it states "I am above the system."

Put another way, what player coming out of college would really want to play for San Diego? Or Arizona? Or whatever crappy team you want to add to the list. I'm sure every player in the draft has their wish list of where they want to go, and teams that scare the hell out of them. Yet all 220+ players are bound by the draft rules, and are stuck with who drafts them.

In my opinion, a team should retain a player's rights indefinitely if they burn a draft pick on them. If a player doesn't want to play for that team, then let them sit until they get traded. Otherwise, a potentially-vast unfair advantage exists.

[SirFozzie]

it'd get nailed for restraint of trade so fast it'd make your head spin.

Remember baseball's reserve clause? :)

[cthomer5000]

In my opinion, a team should retain a player's rights indefinitely if they burn a draft pick on them. If a player doesn't want to play for that team, then let them sit until they get traded. Otherwise, a potentially-vast unfair advantage exists.
aren't we overreacting a bit here? How often has this actually happened? Bo Jackson is the last example I can think of... 20 years go! Missing a year of NFL salary is such a deturrent that no one ever pulls this crap. Still, it's definitely their right to.

[Crapshoot]

I've worked with Peyton Manning and met Archie a couple of times and read their book, so I'm somewhat biased by this experience. That said, because of the impressions I've gotten from being around both and reading their story, I'm inclined to give Eli some slack here.

Let's be honest about the draft for a moment - it forces players to teams they may have no interest in playing for. Until they reach free agency they have no say over where they get to play, unless they do what Eli is doing and what John Elway threatened to do. Yes, they make extremely good money regardless, but this is their careers they're considering. Why shouldn't they have the right to exert some control over that?

In Elway's case, I think it's easier to sympathise with Colts fans as it was obvious Elway was the best player in the draft; with Eli, it's not so clear-cut. Some think Roethlisberger is a better QB, some think Gallery is a better player period. It's not like the Chargers have made it clear they wanted Eli all along - unlike the Bengals with Carson Palmer, the Chargers have, at least publicly, shown a willingness to entertain multiple possibilities.

I think the reason the Bolts went public with the Manning's demands were at least partly as a PR move to cover themselves for not wanting to pick him anyway. It may cost them in leverage in trading down, but not that much - from reports I've seen the Giants aren't the only ones trying to trade up to #1.

As far as personal experience goes, both Peyton and Archie come across as extremely nice, no B.S. guys. I have a lot of respect for how both conduct themselves and I have some sympathy for how Archie's career turned out and the obvious effect it had on him and his sons with their careers.

Some would like to paint them as overbearing egotistical jerks in the same manner as the Winslows, but I think that's an unfair comparison. Eli has the right to sit out a year if he chooses, and if he feels that strongly about not playing for San Diego why shouldn't he use the only leverage he has? Would any of you in a similar situation not do the same thing? Money is not everything, and if you were in a similar position you'd also want to do what you can to land in a job you prefer, or at least don't dread.

Well said. Many a football fan supports idiocies like the NCAA or even the draft because it provides you with entertainment, and are willing to ignore people's rights for it.

[Crapshoot]

Points taken, dawgfan, but what rubs me about it is the audacity - I don't know how else to label it - to leverage the rules that govern entry into the NFL. What it amounts to is the pre-draft version of a holdout. To me, it states "I am above the system."

Put another way, what player coming out of college would really want to play for San Diego? Or Arizona? Or whatever crappy team you want to add to the list. I'm sure every player in the draft has their wish list of where they want to go, and teams that scare the hell out of them. Yet all 220+ players are bound by the draft rules, and are stuck with who drafts them.

In my opinion, a team should retain a player's rights indefinitely if they burn a draft pick on them. If a player doesn't want to play for that team, then let them sit until they get traded. Otherwise, a potentially-vast unfair advantage exists.
The point is, inherently, forcing someone to go to a location they don't want is the kind of thing that couldn't be pulled anywhere else. I accept the draft as a neccessity in pro sports, but why can't we acknowledge the blatant unfairness in the system ?

[WSUCougar]

In my opinion, you're making a case based on the rights of the individuals coming into the league, which is fine on a philosophical level. However, the league is driven by certain constraints of competition. Without the draft, theoretically no one would ever go to the crappy teams.

Eli Manning knew all this going in. The NFL holds a draft and the team that drafts you gets your rights. It's not an oppressive regime...it's an elite, competitive pro football league where the lesser teams rebuild by getting the first cracks at the best players.

Why should one individual get to dictate otherwise?

[dawgfan]

I can understand both sides to this issue; for the sake of competitive balance and the good of the league, the draft is a necessary component of allocating talent evenly. On the other hand, I can empathize with the individual that feels unfairly constrained in his career choices.

I think the system works fine as it is; for 99.9% of the draftees, they accept the system and the NFL gets the benefit of maintaining some parity. For those that feel strongly enough about their situations, they have the right to sit out the draft and try again the next year.

The thing that gets me about this particular case is that there hasn't seemed to be a lot of evidence that San Diego was sold on Eli in the first place, so why should it upset so many people that he doesn't want to play there? Assuming San Diego is OK with trading down and getting Gallery or Roethlisberger or whoever else they like plus extra picks and/or players, who is Eli really hurting?

[WSUCougar]

I've followed the draft lead-up pretty closely. Over the past few weeks there has been ample press and sentiment that Manning was likely to be the top pick. San Diego's issues are wrapped up in Post Ryan Leaf Gun-shy Syndrome, plus an obvious need to get better at several positions rather than taking "just" a franchise quarterback. Therefore, the likelihood of trading down became greater. The Giants emerged as the leader in that sweepstakes, with a clear desire to grab Manning at #1. All talk swirled around Manning. Rothlisberger began to fade...Rivers' stock rose...Gallery remained a viable option at the very top of the draft...the WRs were all in the mix. But Manning seemed to have edged out the rest as the #1 in most people's minds.

Archie comes in and tells the Chargers the bad news. The apparent #1 guy just tells you he will not play with your team. Sure, the Chargers were more than likely not to end up with him anyway, but the leverage damage that does is significant.

[dawgfan]

Archie comes in and tells the Chargers the bad news. The apparent #1 guy just tells you he will not play with your team. Sure, the Chargers were more than likely not to end up with him anyway, but the leverage damage that does is significant.

Well, it was the Chargers' choice to leak that news. For all the Giants needed to know, the Chargers were simply looking to move down and gain extra picks and players.

[WSUCougar]

Well, it was the Chargers' choice to leak that news. For all the Giants needed to know, the Chargers were simply looking to move down and gain extra picks and players.Yeah, that's a hard move to understand. I think their management may be trying to cover too many bases (i.e., giving a public reason why Manning spurned them in the event he's another superstar that they end up passing on).

[cthomer5000]

Yeah, that's a hard move to understand. I think their management may be trying to cover too many bases (i.e., giving a public reason why Manning spurned them in the event he's another superstar that they end up passing on).
I genuinely believe that is the case. But it makes me wonder if they somehow didn't forsee how it would kill their leverage.

[WSUCougar]

Well, at the end of the day (or their 15 minutes tomorrow), they still know that Manning is a hot item, and teams will pay to move up and get him. At least I think so.

[judicial clerk]

I would give the Chargers the No. 2 pick for LaDanian. Then they could get gallery and Rivers.

[bhlloy]

I cannot believe an NFL front office are really that stupid (well apart from the Bengals maybe) I don't think it kills their leverage with NY either because NY still has to get above Oakland to make sure they get one of the 2 guys they are rumoured to really want. I still the think the first 3 guys are absolute locks no matter which order and to which team they go to.

My take on the situation is that the Chargers are happy with taking Gallery (or Roethlisberger or Fitzgerald) at number 1 and the Giants aren't that desperate to take Manning or Gallery as rumoured. So... the Chargers know they have no leverage with the Giants left, and no desire to trade down further, so why not make the Mannings comments public? Gives them a reason to take the player they really want at number 1 and not Eli, and to boot they're probably pissed at Archie and Eli for putting them down and want to make them look like the bad guys.

[stkelly52]

Just curious, what do you think Eli's value would be if he does sit out a year? I question if he will be a top 5 pick if he sits out.

[cthomer5000]

Just curious, what do you think Eli's value would be if he does sit out a year? I question if he will be a top 5 pick if he sits out.
Yeah, but I don't think the money matters to him - so the point is moot really. All he wants to do it play where he wants. He'll only be losing money on his rookie contract.

[Anthony]

i say the NFL should implement a rule where if a player drafted in the 1st round refuses to play with the team that drafted him and sits out a year, the following year the team gets a compensatory draft pick (between the 1st and 2nd rounds) and the player can not be drafted any higher than the 2nd round, where he'll make a crap load less money.

and don't give me this crap about money not meaning anything to Eli. i'm not saying he's money hungry, but if he eventually plays for a team and excels - why would he want to be paid less than what he's really worth? Clinton Portis couldn't handle that and he forced a trade. don't see why Eli would be any different.

i also wouldn't be drafting QB's in the 1st round when in this day and age you can win Super Bowls with guys drafted after the 3rd round. that's just me.

the Chargers have to take him. no way they can have any pride not getting Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Eli Manning - 3 franchise QB's - all within the span of a decade.

[ISiddiqui]

Let's be honest about the draft for a moment - it forces players to teams they may have no interest in playing for. Until they reach free agency they have no say over where they get to play, unless they do what Eli is doing and what John Elway threatened to do. Yes, they make extremely good money regardless, but this is their careers they're considering. Why shouldn't they have the right to exert some control over that?


And what's wrong with that? The whole point of the draft is to reorder the talent. To help the bad teams out. We COULD go to a English soccer model where the rich can stay rich by signing and buying the best talent and the poor teams can go get bent, but we have decided against that (mostly because it costs much more for a US franchise and there is no relegation/promotion).

[ISiddiqui]

Ooooh... they took Eli! HAHAHA!

[clintl]

Has it occurred to anyone that the idiotic way the Chargers have handled the situation pretty much proves Archie Manning is right about that organization? I don't blame the Mannings one bit for how this has gone down. If I were in their situation, I would do the same thing.

[MizzouRah]

I think they handled it quite fine.

What a fake smile!!


Todd

[sterlingice]

i say the NFL should implement a rule where if a player drafted in the 1st round refuses to play with the team that drafted him and sits out a year, the following year the team gets a compensatory draft pick (between the 1st and 2nd rounds) and the player can not be drafted any higher than the 2nd round, where he'll make a crap load less money.

and don't give me this crap about money not meaning anything to Eli. i'm not saying he's money hungry, but if he eventually plays for a team and excels - why would he want to be paid less than what he's really worth? Clinton Portis couldn't handle that and he forced a trade. don't see why Eli would be any different.

i also wouldn't be drafting QB's in the 1st round when in this day and age you can win Super Bowls with guys drafted after the 3rd round. that's just me.

the Chargers have to take him. no way they can have any pride not getting Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Eli Manning - 3 franchise QB's - all within the span of a decade.
I love this post, HA. It's a great solution to the problem.

I just don't buy the view that the Mannings are in the right here. They want to enter the league, they have to play by the rules. The only reason more people don't try to dictate terms is that they don't think they will have the leverage to pull it off.

Now it's time to go find some batteries. I think the Braves and JD Drew pay a visit to KC this season...

SI