The Mannings are often talked about as the “first family” of the NFL. But with Peyton Manning retired and little brother Eli struggling, NFL TV analysts have become less obsequious and more critical. Call it the Sunset of the Mannings.
With two Super Bowl wins over the Evil Empire Patriots, even the normally rabid New York City tabloids are reluctant to rip the 36-year old Eli Manning for the Giants’ horrible 0-5 start. But if the Big Apple media won’t go there, then Rodney Harrison of NBC Sports will.
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During Sunday’s “Football Night in America,” Harrison told millions of TV viewers that the team should finally turn the page on the durable but immobile Manning.
“The Giants have to start thinking about replacing Eli Manning,” Harrison said.
Yes, the Giants offensive line stinks. Harrison called tackle Ereck Flowers “pathetic” and said “there’s no way he should be on NFL roster.”
Yes, the Giants’ problems at running back and the O-line were well known going into the 2017 season. The blame there falls on GM Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAddoo for not adequately protecting Manning, who coughed up the fourth-quarter fumble that led to the Chargers 27-22 victory Sunday.
“I don’t care who’s playing quarterback back there,” said NBC’s Tony Dungy. “When you can’t protect and you can’t run the football, it’s going to be a struggle. They’ve got to get some protection for their quarterback.”
But the NFL is changing, Harrison said. Teams need more “mobile” and “athletic” QBs such as Deshaun Watson of the Texans. Not statue-like pocket passers like the Manning brothers, who crumble in the face of a strong pass rush.
The stats back Harrison up. According to ESPN’s Total QBR, Watson ranks No. 1 ahead of Dak Prescott of the Cowboys this season.
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What about Eli, the dragonslayer who beat Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in two Super Bowls? The league’s reigning Iron Man for consecutive starts? He ranks No. 20, behind Blake Bortles of the Jaguars and Josh McCown, yes Josh McCown, of the hometown rival Jets.
Everybody has their time. For the Mannings it was a long time.
Starting with father Archie and mother Olivia raising two talented sons who won Super Bowls, their mystique permeated the league, the media and Madison Avenue.
There’s been a Manning under center in the NFL since 1998. Between them, Peyton and Eli won four Super Bowls in Denver, New York and Indianapolis.
With their skill, durability and aw-shucks humor, they represented the NFL and their myriad Madison Avenue sponsors with dignity over the past 20 years.
But no dynasty lasts forever.
Maybe it’s watching Eli struggle this season season. Or Trey Wingo and the gang at ESPN’s “NFL Live” chuckling while watching him sack himself to avoid a hard hit. Peyton did the same at the end of his career, they said.
Then there’s Terry Bradshaw treating the proud Giants organization like a laughing stock on “Fox NFL Sunday.” During Sunday’s pregame show, Bradshaw compared the winless Giants to a possum: “They’re dead at home and they get killed on the road,” he guffawed.
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As the boys on the set broke up, Bradshaw congratulated himself for his own witticism. “Give it up, America,” he cried. Good one, Terry.
With Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season, Eli’s last offensive weapon is gone. He’s getting hit and hit hard because his makeshift offensive line can’t protect him. He doesn’t have the legs to escape the pocket.
My prediction: Harrison was one of the first — but he certainly won’t be the last — to say the Giants finally need to move on from Eli Manning after 14 seasons and two Super Bowl MVP awards.
There comes a point where fans, media and league insiders let even the greatest players know it’s time to hang 'em up. It happened to Peyton. It’s about to happen to Eli.
We’ll still like the Manning family. We’ll still enjoy their TV commercials. We’ll still report on their comings and goings.
But they won’t impact the NFL on the field anymore. They won’t be media superstars — unless Peyton pulls a Tony Romo and goes into TV.
Sooner or later, Eli will morph into a real-life statue the way Peyton did this Sunday in Indianapolis.