EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A light rain had just started falling at MetLife Stadium more than an hour before kickoff on Sunday as hard-core Giants’ fans, many clad in No. 10 jerseys, started making their way to the front row of the lower level, while players slowly began filtering onto the field for pregame warmups.
It would almost assuredly be the final time Eli Manning would make the walk from the home locker room, down the corridor and out the tunnel at the Meadowlands, on this day serving as Daniel Jones’ backup against the Philadelphia Eagles in the season finale, two weeks after leading the Giants to one final home victory while Jones nursed a sprained ankle.
The body of work over 16 seasons overshadows the franchise’s struggles in recent years, the two Super Bowl triumphs earning the 38-year-old quarterback a special place in the hearts of Big Blue backers everywhere.
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``I’ve been watching Eli since I was a kid, so it’s sad to see him go out,’’ said Andy Lydick of Ewing. ``But at the same time, I’m looking forward to the future of the Giants as well.’’
Jones, the sixth pick overall in last April’s NFL Draft, is the future, having shown flashes of his potential over the past three months since supplanting Manning as the starter. Much like Manning did in 2004, when he stepped into the lineup to replace Kurt Warner as a rookie.
And while Manning watched the season-ending loss from the sideline, his two Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots remain legendary achievements in these parts.
When David Tyree pinned the ball against his helmet to make an incredible catch, with safety Rodney Harrison draped all over him, on Manning’s desperation toss over the middle, it set up the game winning TD pass to Plaxico Burress in a stunning upset of the previously unbeaten Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in 2008. And four years later it was Manning’s perfect pass up the left sideline to Mario Manningham that was the critical moment in securing a second Vince Lombardi Trophy.
His legacy includes 37 game-winning drives, and 27 fourth-quarter comebacks, with four more coming in the postseason. The final quarter heroics began in the final game of his rookie season against the Dallas Cowboys at Giants Stadium, and his last one came at San Francisco last season.
In between, there were moments like the sub-zero night in Green Bay he outplayed Brett Favre in the 2007 NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field, or his 316 yards and two TDs in the 2011 NFC Championship Game in San Francisco.
``The fourth-quarter comebacks were huge,’’ said Gersain Alvarado of Allentown. ``It was like a switch flipped in his head. It seemed like he was unstoppable. I’ve never seen anything like it.’’
The same feelings were expressed in the Giants' locker room, where there was an understanding that an era was ending as a disappointing 4-12 campaign concluded.
``I asked for a jersey, and I was able to get one and I gave him my last jersey of the year this season,’’ running back Saquon Barkely said. ``I’ve always been a big fan of Eli. Much respect. He helped me not only as a player but as a person, helped develop my game to another level, to see the field differently. Just how he comes to work, ups and downs. I respect him as a player and a man.’’
Manning’s durability was unmatched in franchise history, starting 210 consecutive games at one point. He never missed a start due to injury in a career that spans 234 starts.
``His toughness was something all fans were proud of over the years. He never got hurt. What more can you say?’’ said John Martin of Fair Lawn.
The raw numbers are Hall of Fame worthy, even if his career record as a starter stands 117-117.
He threw for 57,023 yards, seventh all-time. His 366 passing TDs are the seventh-most ever, while he’s one of only 15 NFL quarterbacks to win more than 100 games in his career.
There’s no question he wasn’t part of the solution as the Giants struggled in recent years. But there’s no denying his accomplishments.
And when Manning got benched after two games this season, he swallowed his pride and helped the team on the practice field, in the classroom and on the sideline.
``The way he supported his teammates and Daniel Jones, by being a team player, is all part of it,’’ said Noah Zeichner of Ewing.
Added Jones: ``Eli was huge for my growth, my development. Obviously he’s a legendary player and there’s a reason. Because he understands the game, he’s done it for a long time, he’s seen a lot. Lucky to be able to learn from him and spend time with him. I’ve been fortunate.’’
It’s unclear whether Manning will retire or try to find a starting job somewhere else. What’s for certain is that it would look incredibly strange seeing him in anything other than blue and white. Which is why so many fans took the opportunity to savor what could be their final glimpse of the greatest quarterback in franchise history.
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December 30, 2019 at 09:10AM
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N.Y. Giants: As Eli Manning likely departs, fans, players savor one last look at No. 10 - USA TODAY
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