Lynn Swann had 5462 yards over 9 years, while his team mate John Stallworth had 8723 yards over 14 years. But everybody rates Lynn Swann the better WR purely on account of his incredible catches during the 4 SBs.
Right now, Tom Brady's star has dimmed while Eli's is shining brightly. Brady, Peyton and Eli will all get in the HOF. I have no doubt. But at this very moment, you cannot make a credible argument that Brady - or Peyton for that matter - is a better QB than Eli. No way. Peyton had a chance to drive his team to a game tying TD against NO in SB 44 and what did he do? He threw an interception. Brady had a chance in both head to head SBs against Eli to score and he failed both times. Eli would have delivered if he had been on the other end. No doubt. And BTW, were it not for the ridiculous tuck rule, Brady would have 2 SB rings. Same as Eli.
The Gmen were a wild card team in 2007. They went on the road to defeat #4 seed TB, #1 seed GB and #2 seed Cowboys. And then topped it off by beating the undefeated 18-0 Patriots in SB 42.
Just to get to the playoffs this year, the Gmen had to win their last two games against the loud-mouthed Jets (I hate those guys!) and the Cowboys. During the playoffs, the Gmen demolished the Falcons, then went on the road to defeat the defending champion and #1 seed GB and the #2 seed 49ers.
The point I am making, which no objective observer can contest at this stage, is that Eli, seemingly with ice water in his veins, is the biggest pressure cooker QB in the NFL right now. He is the Reggie Jackson of the NFL. And it is on that consistent basis that I rate him higher than Brady and Peyton. And in the HOF ahead of those guys. Case closed.
I always think people who type "case closed" are just really amusing.
Stallworth and Swann were drafted in the same year (generally thought to be one of the greatest draft classes of all time). Thus with playing five more years, all five of those years were after the rule changes. They are both in the HOF. They were also different kinds of recievers. Swann was a long ball specialist, and Stallworth, especially in the last few years was a possession guy.
To tell you the truth, anyone who thinks career wise Eli is better than Brady is just blowing smoke. By, wins, yards, championships, etc, Brady is the better player.
Now the "pressure cooker" comment is interesting, because you say "right now." There is no doubt that Eli was the best fourth quarter qb in the NFL this year. That is this year.
Last year he was a turnover machine.
To speculate Eli would have delivered had he been on the other end, is just childish speculation. And whining about the tuck rule is just funny. If the 49ers did not have an injured kick returner...and so on. In fact Eli would have have been in the playoffs if he was in a good division. All just hot air.
And if you take just a couple of minutes to actually look at career stats, you will see Eli is still well behind Brady.
I can't make a credible argument about Peyton right now...because I don't know what his health situation is. But his numbers far exceed Eli's on a career basis.
And I thought you might enjoy this excellent article on why Eli is not better than Payton, career wise:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...why-eli-manning-still-isnt-better-than-peyton
