New York Giants' Eli Manning Gets Idiotically Trashed By Chris Simms, London Fletcher
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) talk after their game at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won 28-23. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

When comparing New York Giants QB Eli Manning to Philip Rivers, both Chris Simms and London Fletcher had idiotic things to say.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the man who ranks ninth all-time in passing yards with 46,428, can’t seem to avoid criticism. It happens no matter what the accomplishments say on the back of his player card.

The two latest members of the media who couldn’t help but trash the younger Manning are equipped with the names Chris Simms and London Fletcher. 

Eli couldn’t even avoid criticism while on a BYE. Last Sunday, on CBSSN’s “That Other Pregame Show,” harsh words came from ex-NFLers Simms and Fletcher, as pointed out by Bob Raissman in his column last week, via the New York Daily News.

The hypothetical situation thrown at the so-called “experts” revolved around the flip-flopping of Manning and Philip Rivers. Each was asked, “What would happen if the Rivers-Manning trade never went down?”

Fletcher said Rivers would have won “three, maybe four Super Bowls” if he stayed with New York. “Eli Manning, I don’t think he’s still in the league right now (if he played for San Diego) because I don’t think he would have played as well as Rivers has played in San Diego,” Fletcher said.

Simms’s words were even harsher towards two-time Super Bowl champion:

“Eli is toward the bottom of football as far as quarterback play right now,” Simms said. “He does get a free pass at times because of the Super Bowl thing, which I’m so sick of, ‘Oh, he’s got two Super Bowls,’ so now he can hang around and be average for six more years.”

So, let me get this straight. A guy in London Fletcher, who toiled around with the Washington Redskins in Eli’s division said this. A guy whose team lost 10-of-14 games against Eli’s Giants during the span of 2007-2013 (when Fletcher was in D.C.), had the gall to drop this bomb on live TV.

It’s simply astounding.

Even worse, Chris Simms, the child of Giants great Phil Simms, the “other” recent aged great QB in Giants history, had the nerve to call Manning “average?” This came from a kid whose NFL career consisted of a TD-INT ratio of 18-12.

Quite honestly, it doesn’t matter what Simms’s pro ball career looks like. It has no bearing on his critique. But the critique itself is outlandish and he should be embarrassed as a former quarterback to say such a thing.

Eli Manning has been a complete rock for the Giants franchise. He’s a guy who, once he took the reins several games into the 2004 season, has been every bit a franchise QB as we’ve laid eyes on in the NFL.

Basically, it boils down to this: A guy who’s put up a career record of 102-89, 46,428 yards, and 306 touchdowns to 209 interceptions is an average QB and can’t hold the shoes of Rivers. Oh yeah, he’s also put up an 8-3 career record in the playoffs with 17 touchdowns to eight interceptions while collecting two Super Bowl trophies.

But, yeah, these guys are the “experts.”

Manning deserves to be criticized for horrid play when it comes. The problem is, he hasn’t been horrid. Not by a long stretch. His Giants are 5-3, he’s ninth in the league in passing, and he’s done it all without any semblance of a running game.

All the guy’s done is win and show up every single day of his life. Literally, he’s never missed a game.

Please: Simms, Fletcher … get a clue.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com