Archie Manning was the best QB to never play in a Super Bowl, or for that fact, to never play in a playoff game.

But what he and his wife have done together, is given the NFL, Colts, and Giants fans, two sons that will be Championship quarterbacks for years to come.

 Eli Manning was the calm in the storm with just over 2 miutes to go and down by 4 points.  YES, the Giants needed a TD to win the ball game.

But what helped give Manning his confidence, was what he did on the opening drive of the game, and how he handled and converted 50% of the Giants 3rd down conversions throughout the entire game.

Eli showed no fear and no hesitation throwing the football on that opening drive.  A drive that he had 3 huge 3rd down conversions passes, that kept the drive alive and helped the Giants take a 3-0 lead. 

By having those 3rd down conversions, the Giants were able to hold the ball for 10 minutes of it’s opening drive of the game.  That is HUGE in not allowing the Pats to take the field, and find any kind of rythym early in the game.   It also sent a message to the Pats defense, that the Giants were not afraid to attack them with a great balance of running and passing.  BUT, what this drive did more than anything, was allow Eli to settle down, get comfortable with the game plan, and build his confidence up, that would last him the entire game.

 I was not surprised by him leading his team down the field for the game winning score.  What surprised me, was his escapability out of the pocket several times during that drive, to give himself time and find rookie wide receiver Steve Smith for 2 key 3rd down conversions.

But the play heard around the world, was his breaking away of two Pats defensive lineman, scramble to his right, keep his poise, look up the field to find and throw to David Tyree, who I feel, made the greatest catch I’ve ever seen in a Super Bowl.  Trust me, I’ve seen everone of the 42 Super Bowls, and this was the best…EVER!

The 13 yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, was a combination of a great move by Burress, and great touch and timing from Manning.  I know from a QB perspective, that when you make that throw, you have to be loose and have confidence, otherwise if you’re tight and don’t have any touch as a QB, that throw could end up underthrown, or thrown way out of the back of the endzone.

I played against Archie Manning and watched him for many years.   What I saw in him then, as I see in Peyton and Eli, is that competitive, but calm nature that you HAVE to have as a QB.

For me, it was no surprise that Eli came out calm, competitive, and confident, and knew in his mind, like his brother Peyton, that he would find a way to continue the family legacy of being that great QB, we all knew and hoped he could be.

Hope you all had a great Super Bowl 42……I know I did.

Manuch

written by Manuch