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QB Eli Manning, New York Giants

HT: 6-4, WT: 218, Born: 1-3-1981, College: Mississippi, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 1

2009 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: J Jones (97), Eli Manning (99), D Mason (100), M Cassel (101)
Position: C Palmer (79-QB12), B Roethlisberger (86-QB13), Eli Manning (99 - QB14), M Cassel (101-QB15), M Hasselbeck (102-QB16)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

PPR Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: M Hasselbeck (101), T Ginn (102), Eli Manning (103), S Breaston (105)
Position: B Roethlisberger (94-QB13), M Hasselbeck (101-QB14), Eli Manning (103 - QB15), D Garrard (110-QB16), B Favre (120-QB17)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

 Click here to go to the Eli Manning spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

 Click here to go to the Eli Manning faceoff, our staff's look at the pros and cons.

Best Case

Eli Manning had almost no chance of matching his 2007 achievements last year. After all, how do you follow up a Super Bowl win and marrying your long-time sweetheart? But last year was hardly a disappointment. Manning led his team to a personal-best 12 wins, completed 60 percent of his passes for the first time, and threw at least 21 TDs for the fourth consecutive season. Perhaps most impressive, Manning cut his interception total in half, throwing just 10 picks. Manning's best case is a Top 5 fantasy finish, something he accomplished in 2005. In order for that to happen, the group of young receivers led by Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden will need to replace Plaxico Burress' incomparable productivity.

Worst Case

Another season, another December swoon. Manning may have had legitimate reasons to struggle in December, but that's little solace for fantasy owners who had to start him in their league's playoffs. Without Plaxico Burress to win jump balls, it's hard to believe Manning won't regress a bit in 2009 and that means sub-60 percent passing and 15-20 interceptions. That also means Manning is, once again, a quality fantasy backup but not a worthwhile fantasy starter.

Outlook

Manning has the experience and track record to comfortably expect Top 12 to 15 numbers at the worst. The question fantasy owners must ask themselves is whether the youth movement at WR can overcome the loss of Burress and whether any of that matters in December. Manning should be viewed as an excellent QB2 because he could put up QB1 numbers in any given week, but don't reach for him expecting QB1 production.

Relevant Articles

Latest News

Giants | Manning probable for Week 11 (Fri Nov 20, 04:08 PM) - Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants QB Eli Manning (foot) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and will be able to play.

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Giants | Manning practices Thursday (Thu Nov 19, 12:43 PM) - Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants QB Eli Manning (foot) fully participated in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. He is expected to play in Week 11.

link to story   

Giants | Manning practices in full Wednesday (Wed Nov 18, 04:06 PM) - Mike Garafolo, of The Star-Ledger, reports New York Giants QB Eli Manning (foot) practiced in full Wednesday, Nov. 18.

link to story   

2009 Schedule

2008 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Manning picked up where he left off last season by driving the ball down the field for a touchdown on the first drive of the game. After a pass interference penalty that put the ball on the Washington one yard line, the Giants ran a play action with Manning rolling to his right, where he was able to make a move on the defender and plunge into the end zone to cap an 84 yard opening drive. It would be New York's first and only touchdown of the game. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 141 yards, and led them to three field goal drives along with the opening touchdown drive in the first half. Manning and Giants did not do much in the second half, but they really didn't have much urgency as Washington's offense looked terrible and never threatened to close the gap in the game. He only had 55 yards passing in the second half.

Week 2 - Eli Manning had another excellent September start as he completed all but nine passes for 260 yards and three scores. He had time to throw and just picked his way through the secondary, hitting eight different targets, and racking up 26 total first downs in the game. On the second possession of the game, Manning sold a beautiful fake then connected with Plaxico Burress for a 33 yard score, the first of the game. He added two second half touchdown passes as he led the Giants to the second victory of 2008.

Week 3 - Manning had another productive game completing 60 percent of his passes and not turning the ball over once. He spread his 26 completions over eight targets, throwing for 289 yards and connecting with tight end Kevin Boss for his only passing touchdown of the day. With four and a half minutes to go and trailing by four points, Manning successfully led a nine play, 68 yard drive that included a crucial third and ten completion. He looked poised in the pocket and did not force much downfield, doing a good job of taking what the defense gave him.

Week 5 - Manning completed 19 of 25 passes for 267 yards, and two touchdowns. His first touchdown came on a nicely thrown deep ball down the left side that found Domenik Hixon a few steps behind his defender for a 32 yard play. He ended the first half having completed seven of seven passes, four of which went longer than 20 yards. After that the offense tightened up only taking what the defense gave them, and ran the ball right through the Seattle defense.

Week 6 - Manning played pretty well in the first half with an exception to an ill advised pass that led to a costly interception. Manning threw a three yard pass to WR Plaxico Burress late in the first half for his only touchdown pass in the game. He completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 141 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the first half. Manning did not play as well in the second half as he had two costly interceptions, including a 94 yard interception that was returned for a touchdown, and the offense sputtered in the second half. The Browns got pretty good pressure most the game even though they only sacked him once.

Week 7 - Manning had a very average day. He had no sacks, no interceptions, and no fumbles, along with a touchdown. The defense kept on giving him the ball with excellent field position -- twice in the red zone -- at which point the offense was heavily run oriented. He had some trouble with the 49ers secondary, but made a few plays happen when the pressure was on.

Week 8 - Manning did a good job of controlling the game, completing 19 of 32 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Manning had some clutch third and fourth down completions to keep drives alive, particularly a 30 yard completion on fourth down to Amani Toomer to begin the Giants' comeback. Later in the fourth quarter, Manning did a good job of finding a wide open Kevin Boss in the end zone for a two yard touchdown to put the Giants ahead for good.

Week 9 - Manning didn't roll up big yards but he did lead a balanced attack to victory against a tough Dallas passing defense. He was not needed to try and win the game through the air as New York was able to easily move the ball on the ground. 126 of his 147 passing yards came during the first half as the Giants roared out to a 14 point lead at half time. His numbers could have been better if not for a dropped 17 yard touchdown pass by Plaxico Burress

Week 10 - Manning's night got off to a bad start as he was intercepted on his second pass attempt when a batted ball was hauled in by an Eagles' defensive tackle and returned down to the New York nine yard line. The quarterback heated up though on the team's second series as he led the Giants' down the field on a ten play 80 yard drive that he capped with a 17 yard touchdown pass to WR Plaxico Burress. Later on in the first half, Manning connected with TE Kevin Boss for a one yard touchdown that put the Giants up 17--7. Though that scoring toss marked his last touchdown pass of the night, the quarterback helped lead New York on four more scoring drives that included two rushing touchdowns and two field goals

Week 11 - Manning put in a solid days work as he completed 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards and a score. It was his 15th passing touchdown of the season and came from the one yard line as Manning faked a handoff and hit a wide open Darcy Johnson in the corner of the end zone.

Week 12 - Manning had a consistent game finishing 26 for 33 for 240 yards with three touchdowns. He completed passes to seven different receivers and showed good poise when under rush. He did not turn the ball over. He was sacked once and led the Giants on touchdown drives of 62, 80, 32 and 40 yards.

Week 13 - Manning had a solid day through the air despite the wet and windy conditions, completing 21 of his 34 attempts and surpassing the 300 yard mark while throwing one touchdown. He stayed clean in the pocket and picked apart a Washington defense that had no answer for the Manning-led offensive attack. Early in the second quarter Manning was able to throw a perfectly placed ball down the sidelines, connecting with Amani Toomer for a 40 yard score.

Week 14 - Manning was off for most of the day and did not benefit from the weather or the mistakes of his teammates. He threw for a paltry 123 yards and chipped in a late touchdown with 20 seconds left to play in the game. Between his receivers dropping a couple of passes and the physical play of the Eagles defense Manning held firm and did as much as he could to keep New York in the game. He did not turn the ball over once and seemed to be confident in the pocket trying to lead the comeback.

Week 15 - Manning got off to a slow start as he finished the first half completing only 50% of his 14 passes for 74 yards as the Giants were only able to muster three points through quarters one and two. Things didn't start off too hot for the quarterback in the third quarter when on the team's first drive of the half; he threw an interception on a short pass that gave the Cowboys the ball at the Dallas 46 yard line. Manning was only able to lead the team to another field goal in the second half and the signal caller threw his second pick near the end of the game.

Week 16 - On the team's first drive, he escaped the pass rush moved to his right and hit WR Domenik Hixon for a 40 yard gain. He threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Boss in the third quarter and a two point conversion attempt to Domenik Hixon in the fourth quarter.

Week 17 - Eli Manning did not look in sync during the first quarter. He started to get in a groove in the second quarter but didn't come back in the second half. Eli along with his brother Peyton Manning are the only QBs to lead their teams to four current straight playoff appearances.

Week 19 - Manning had a rough outing under windy conditions against the Eagles and finished just 15 of 29 for 169 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning played with a glove on his left hand and a bare right, but threw numerous passes that fluttered and either fell short of receivers or flew over their heads. For the game, the Giants were just three of 13 on third downs and were forced to attempt five field goals for their lack of success in finishing drives. Manning had one rush for no gain on the ground.