Let the "Mann" Start

The New York Giants are coming off a season in which they finished 4-12. The squad quit on their coach, and watched their starting Quarterback skip town. A new coach and seemingly new attitude is pervading throughout “big blue” camp, but there is one pressing question remaining on the offensive side of the ball. Who will be under center come Opening Day? Daniel Collins, host of “Sports Propaganda”, explains why the answer is simple, and the future is now. Let the “Mann” Start

The New York Football Giants turned heads and created controversy at the
2004 NFL draft with the selection of Quarterback Eli Manning. The move
painted the Manning family in an unflattering light, it ran Kerry
Collins out of town, and drew the ire of several veterans. Its tough to
make bold judgments based on Pre-Season competition and bloodline
alone, but there is no question that come week 1 in Philadelphia, the
man under center should be wearing the number Jeff Feagles
relinquished, Eli Manning.

Through two exhibition games, Manning has completed 57 percent of his
passes for 208 yards. He has not thrown a touchdown pass, but he has
not been picked off either. However, much more than his numbers,
Manning has shown enough talent to warrant praise and confidence from
the same people who did not want to see him at all. Tiki Barber and
Michael Strahan, the leaders on their respective side of the ball, have
recently voiced their approval of the 23 year old, who was two days long
of being baby New Year. They comment on his poise, confidence and
professionalism rarely displayed by someone his age and position. The
veterans could be making such claims to blind the people who believe
that they are still uncertain about starting the rookie, but just watch
Manning for yourself, and you will know they are not peddling sunshine.

The other new QB in town is Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner. His numbers are
not exactly that of Ryan Leaf, but they have not lit the world ablaze
either. Through two Pre-Season contests, Warner has completed 12 of 18
passes for 120 yards, connecting on 66 percent of his attempts. Like
Manning, Warner has not thrown a touchdown, but has been intercepted
once, something he is certainly no stranger to. There comes a point
when the term “two-time league MVP” no longer holds water. The fact is
Kurt Warner is no longer effective as a starting Quarterback in this
league. He hangs in the pocket too long, he throws too many
interceptions, and he no longer has the luxury of letting it fly so his
receivers will make the plays for him. The Giants should see his signing
as a blessing that if Manning goes down, the Bachelor will not have to
step in.

The theory pervading around sports media outlets is that the NFC East
will be the toughest division in the league, this is simply not the
case. The best thing about the division is by far the men with the
whistles and clipboards. Bill Parcells, Andy Reid, Tom Coughlin and Joe
Gibbs are undoubtedly the best collection of head coaches within the
confines of a single division. However, no matter how great these
football masterminds are, there are pressing questions for every team
on the right coast.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who a season ago had a three headed running
attack of Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter, has been
decapitated, leaving Westbrook as their only option. With the departure
of Staley and the season-ending injury to Buckhalter, the Eagles leave
the task of carrying the ball to a guy who has only 803-career rushing
yards. If opposing teams don’t have to worry about stopping the run,
Terrell Owens won’t have the opportunity to be the impact receiver he
needs to be. The Washington Redskins will feature a running back who
needs to prove he is not the product of an immovable offensive line,
and a Quarterback who sat the bench in favor of a rookie a season ago.
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to find the proper 1-800 number to dial up
a Quarterback, and their only options are a middle-aged United Way
pitchman and Yankee farm hand reject. Every team can win the division,
and they could do it by going 9-7.

What does all of this have to do with Eli Manning? With expectations
seemingly low for the G-Men, why not start the future MVP now, and let
the former one watch? Traditionally rookie Quarterbacks struggle
immensely during there inaugural campaign. From Simms and Elway to the
afore mentioned Ryan Leaf or Heath Shuler, its always a gamble.
However, traditions may be broken and gambles can pay off. The Giants would be best suited to buck tradition and roll the dice.

Pre-Season Thoughts

There are many varying opinions of the Pre-Season in the National
Football League. The media uses it as an opportunity to generate some
heat for the hometown squad, to report the latest from two-a-day
practice sessions, and to lament about sleeping in college dorm rooms
while bringing you the information. Some fans view the exhibition
contests as a strong barometer for how the regular season will
transpire. But for some players, this will be their only claim to fame,
saying they had the opportunity to suit up and play the most popular
game in America. Here are some random thoughts about the Pre-Season thus
far:

The front-runners in the AFC are said to be the Patriots and Colts, as
they should be. However, the sleeper pick to win the Super Bowl should
be the Kansas City Chiefs. If they get anything out of their defense
this season, they will put up enough points to beat any team in the
league. I know that seems like a pretty simple statement, but hopefully
their dismantling of the St. Louis Rams proved to the defense how simple
it can be.

When Dennis Green rolled into Tempe, he claimed the Arizona Cardinals
could be a ten-win team. I for one agree with that statement…The
Cards should have no problem winning ten games over the next two
seasons. If he meant this team could accomplish that feat with this
rag-tag bunch, he needs to stop playing Madden 2005.

For more on Daniel Collins please visit www.sportspropaganda.com, or email [email protected]. Thank you for your patronage.