
© AP Photo/David J. PhillipSports Commentary
It is NFL training camp and already the lovable Eli Manning is being brought back into the spotlight.
In a USA Today interview, former New York Giants Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms said Manning and Tom Coughlin are "sure-fire" Hall of Famers.
With those remarks, the floodgates opened and once again, the validity of Manning was brought into question.
Let's recap. Eli Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP. Over the years, his passing has improved including his passer rating, touchdowns, and interceptions.
Also, he has proven to be postseason kryptonite to Super Bowl favorites.
Aaron Rodgers, defeated by Manning and the Giants.
Brett Farve, defeated by Manning and the Giants.
And last but not least, Tom Brady, defeated twice by Eli Manning and the Giants.
Look at those three names and tell me who will not be a Hall of Famer because these three elite quarterbacks are very well going to be Hall of Famers.
So why shouldn't Manning?
The debate right now though is if Manning's career came to an end today, will he be a Hall of Famer?
Manning is 31 years old, which means he is entering the prime of his career. So, the idea of talking about whether or not he should be in the Hall of Fame today is ridiculous. Let him play out his career and hopefully, one or two more Super Bowls come his way. Maybe even an MVP award for the regular season.
Let us not get carried away here. In my opinion, there is no question Manning deserves to be the Hall of Fame because of his playoff performances and his attitude as the leader of this team.
People always get on his case because he is deemed boring and not an entertainer. He isn't. He is a pro football player and he is paid to win games for the New York Giants. Nowhere in his contract, I assume, is there a stipulation for him to make the back pages of newspapers worldwide unless it is a Super Bowl victory.
A class act and an elite athlete, no question Eli belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Now Tom Coughlin a Hall of Fame coach should not even be discussed.
This man has been on the hot seat as the New York Giants head coach for as long as I can remember. Matter fact, just last season his job was under fire and the New York Giants ended up winning the Super Bowl anyway.
Tom Coughlin is the example of resilience and it is shown through the work ethic and play of the New York Giants football team.
We always are shown post-game coverage and his speeches to the team are so powerful you can see the fire in the eyes of every player in the locker room and the hunger to win pouring out of each player. Coughlin brings out the best in each player, just ask any New York Giant. The complexion of this team would be completely different without Coughlin at the helm.
He has brought 2 Super Bowl titles to New York and even in the face of adversity, continues to shine bright and bring his team out of the darkness.
So when asked if Manning and Coughlin are Hall of Famers, the answer is yes. Should they be Hall of Famers now? Let's not get over our heads, but remain calm because their resumes will have more experience added in the coming years.
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