ESPN just reported that Manning will sit out 2004 season....

[Greenhead22]

if drafted by the Chargers........what a li'l b!tch he is......

Just because your last name is Manning you think you can do anything you want.

[webfoot]

I think you set out a season.

[RedEyed Duck]

I agree with ya GH22, J D Drew was first drafted by the Phillies and refused to sign until the following year when they had to release him. I lost a lot of respect for him after that stunt. Just doesn't see as if it is for the love of the game after something like that!

[webfoot]

Giants pull trigger on trade up from No. 4 and get the next best thing to Peyton.

[Drakeshead]

It has nothing to do with the last name as Eli would not be the first nor the last. As already mentioned, J.D. Drew said the same as well John Elway. But, according to ESPN, Eli has NOT said he would not go to the Charges and sit out a year. All that is said is that if the Charges do decide to pick him, he may not be at the podium to accecpt the jersey.

GH22, I think you are still holding the Ms State/Ole Miss grudge and is understandable. But, if this was your son, would you not do the same given the Charges record and roster? Be honest.

[QUACKERS]

I agree that Archie does not want Eli to go the same path that he once went, San diego has no foundation to be even an average team. There whole team is L (Trian) Tomilson, they have NO recieving corps, NO OFFENSIVE LINE heck I think that they lost 4 of there better lineman this off season, Drew Brees MIGHT have been a great QB had he went to another team. Eli cannot and will never be able to run like Vick heck both he and Peyton look like Dan Marino when it comes to scrammbling Cant do it!!!so therefore if drafted by Diego he might only last the 2 years that others on this board feel.

[RedEyed Duck]

If you watched "Outside the Lines" last night on ESPN Archie laid it all out. He said the agent has more to do with it than himself, but you know thats a crock. He also said that they (The Manning family) don't normally do things like this, but that it was necessary. I had forgotten about Elway, that was so many years ago and Lindros (sp) the hockey player did the same as Drew years ago. It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. I hate it but I almost don't feel sorry for the Chargers after the Leaf deal and passing up Vick, they have almost wished this upon themselves, who would want to play for a team that has not had a winning season in the past 5+ years.

[1SHOT]

SIT OUT 1 YEAR AND HAVE A LONG CAREER OR SIGN AND HAVE A SHORT 1 THIS IS AN INVESTMENT HE MAKES FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE I AGREE WITH THEIR DECISCION

[webbmaster]

From what I have read and seen on ESPN, the Chargers organization called on Archie to come out to SD.
Archie apparently came away unimpressed with the organization, especially the general manager. Afterall, take a look at what this organization has done in the past. And that is absolutely correct to say he saw the same similarities as when he was with the Saints

When he called back to express his feelings, the GM or President (can't recall which one) decided he would use Archies words so that the SD fans would know going into it why they didn't select Eli.

It obvioulsy backfired, but based on the prior decisions by the SD management, it came as no suprise. It's just not a good organization.

One thing is for sure, this isn't about money. Its about him being somewhere that fits. Whats wrong with that? In a day where profesional athletes constantly whine and complain over $$$ and have some many off the field problems, its absurd to put the Manning family in the same category as folks like Terrell Owens, Warren Sapp or Ray Lewis.

Until Eli is actually drafted by SD, its all speculation about if he "sits out."

Of course, this is all my humble opinion..

[GulfCoast]

There are about 5 or 6 first picks who have threatened the same thing. I don't remember all the names, but they were running them down on ESPN radio this morning.

GH22 has the the credibility of John Kerry, Al Gore and Bill Clinton combined. This is the guy who predicted state would win the SEC west in football the last 2 years. I will never forget the statement "THE GREATEST RECRUITING CLASS EVER...."

[Boogerden Boy]

just a thought, do any of you know how many athletes are out there just wishing they could have made it anywhere close to being recognized by the NFL??? and Chances are they could have been just as good as him if they had his name........
Don't get me wrong, i like the manning family. Even had Archie's sister as a teacher in high school........
But, in the words of Tuff Hedeman, "Cowboy Up!"
if he wants to show that he has the capability of his brother and dad, he'll take this deal.
He wants respect in the NFL??? Then take a losing team and do somethin with it.
Like i said, i want to see him be successful, i just feel he should have to work for it like everybody else does. Vick had a major impact on atlanta with his legs. Eli could have an impact on the chargers with a great arm.

My two cents on the situation.

[GulfCoast]

and Chances are they could have been just as good as him if they had his name........

There are a lot of Division 1 athletes named Manning. Only 1 was a legit Heisman candidate, won the Unitas award........

[RedEyed Duck]

Webmaster, the way I understood the report on ESPN based on Archie's comments, was that the Chargers were already aware of the Manning's decision before Archie ever went to SD. He simply did this out of respect of the commisioner and the SD owner.

[Bustin' Ducks]

I think it's BS...So many people work and strive to get to the point where they can hopefully get a chance for an NFL draft pick ...and once those guys get there and get established in the NFL...it then seems to be all 'bout the Benjamins...

I think it is arrogant, selfish, and chickensheeot, to act this way...Maybe he'll get what Bryan Bosworth did once he got to the big leagues!!

What about Pat Tillman..the guy from the Cardinals that left the NFL to enlist in the Army and was killed in the campaign overseas... Sounds like a slap in the face to me..

[Drakeshead]

just a thought, do any of you know how many athletes are out there just wishing they could have made it anywhere close to being recognized by the NFL???

I believe Eli did when he blew away all the other QB's at the NFL combine and scored second highest in history on the NFL IQ test.

But, in the words of Tuff Hedeman, "Cowboy Up!"

I agree with you here and that is exaclt what Archie did, he stood up.

if he wants to show that he has the capability of his brother and dad, he'll take this deal.

Archie had legs and could scramble around, Peyton already had an offensive line. Eli has to rely on his smarts/reading the defense and his arm. The Charges do not have the offensive line needed for Eli to sit back in the pocket and allow him to pick apart the defense.

Then take a losing team and do somethin with it.

As good as any individual may be, not one person has ever made a winning professional team on their own merrits. If you have one great pitcher, will that team be World Series Champs? If you have one great point guard, will you win the NBA Championship? No, and one good QB, noticed I didn't say great as he has not proven it in the NFL, cannot get you a Super Bowl ring.

Like i said, i want to see him be successful, i just feel he should have to work for it like everybody else does.

You want him to be successful yet you think he should go to the Chargers? Have you looked at their record? The front office/owners will not even comment if they are going to have a team in five years.

Vick had a major impact on atlanta with his legs. Eli could have an impact on the chargers with a great arm.

I agree with you here, Vick has had a major impact on the Falcons, but how many times have they won the Super Bowl since he has been there? Eli cannot scramble like Vick and would get eaten up with Vick's offensive line. Vick knows his line and knows if his receivers are not open after 10-15 yards and he sees a whole, he is gone. Eli on the other hand has to hold back in a ten yard pocket and wait for the play to develop.

I have never been much on scrambling QB's although some teams like them and develop their offensive lines around their QB's talents. I hope that Vick and McNabb stay around for awhile, but take other scrambling QB's like Stewart and see where they are now as compared to pocket QB's. When your #1 guy takes off down the middle he risk getting hammered and injured just like Vick and McNabb did this past year. Look even at the Eagles; what did they go and do? They went and go a receiver in Owens to try and help out McNabb.

Anyway, I am getting off on a different subject now...my two cents worth.